[SP] BG3 Storytime: EA Duo with Wyll

[War Maiden]

This thread will be updated regularly.

My intent is to do a Duo with Wyll through the content given to us in EA. This thread started in Patch 5, and is now continuing into Patch 6, and possibly until full release.

It should be noted that the story that is being crafted in this thread includes not only the current dialogue in-game, but also additions of my own to add more flair and interest to the story. This should be considered a SPOILER thread, hence, the [SP] tag in the title.

Lastly, I have rewritten the into, as compared to my other chapter submissions it was not as energetic as I would have liked.

[War Maiden]

Intro

While traversing the forest, I could hear shouting coming from nearby and decided to investigate. There were three humans, two fighters and an archer yelling at the base of this large moss and vine-covered gate. From what it sounded like, they were trying to gain entry and the tiefling atop it was denying them passage. I decided to get a closer look so I rounded the area and ascended a large rise that looked to be a perfect vantage point to oversee everything.

"Nobody gets in. Zevlor's orders." The tiefling shouted to the human male below whom appeared to be the leader of their group.

Another tiefling came to the railing atop the gate. "What's going on?" He asked.

"A pack of goblins are on our tails, they'll be here any second! Open the gate Zevlor, now!" The human male shouted in return.

"You led goblins here? Where is the druid!?" Zevlor looked about as if scouring the local area for sight of the druid.

"Please. There's no time!" The human male retorted desperately.

Suddenly a large worg came into view below sniffing about as most likely it was following the humans' scent, accompanied with three goblin archers, a second worg, two fighters, a bugbear and what looked to be a goblin booyahg.

"By the Nine Hells! Open the gate!" Zevlor shouted.

The other tiefling moved to the crank and began pulling on it, trying to open the large gate. No sooner did he get it partially up, than the goblin archers got on one knee and aimed for him. A few arrows hit into the guardrail, and that was a cue for Zevlor to shelter behind it. Two other arrows found purchase in the belly of the tiefling trying to open the gate. Blood splattered from the wound as he fell to the side.

"Kannon, no!" Cried Zevlor, while he was sheltered behind the guardrail.

The gate came down, and the three adventurers attempted to lift the gate up, but it was just too heavy and had to release it. The goblins laughed and began to move closer to the three humans as they turned around to face them.

"♥♥♥♥. Form a line!" The leading adventurer shouted.

"Scouts! Get to the high ground! Raiders - Charge tha' bastards!" Yelled an armored goblin in the center, most likely the boss goblin.

Fights broke out all over in front of the closed gate. The three archers were shooting at the three humans on the ground as well as at Zevlor atop to gate. The two goblin fighters were engaging the two human fighters, the bugbear was trying to catch the human female, while it looked like the booyahg was readying a spell. I could barely pick out her words from all the other shouting, but it sounded like she was chanting to cast Sleep, which would not be a good spell aimed at the already disadvantaged humans on the field.

I decided to aid them, as my Goddess would want, as 'aiding, feeding and defending the needy on the way', were tenants of Eilistraee, and it was my honor and pleasure to do her will, as one of her Dark Ladies.

I decided to focus on the goblin booyahg first, as they were truly the biggest enemy threat on the field. They were casting a spell that could become a lethal end to those humans defending their lives in front of the large gate.

Calling upon the gifts of my Goddess, I began chanting. A moment later a bright bolt of light surged from my right hand and guided straight at the goblin booyahg. Lighting her up in a sanctified aura of flames as she cried out, falling to her knees and onto her face squarely into a mud puddle. "Well, that's one down." I thought to myself, satisfied I at least took the most dangerous one down first.

The human female archer fired off two shots at one of the goblin archers, hitting it in its upper chest, killing it. While the adventurer fighters were holding off the two worgs and two goblin fighters, the bugbear still lazily chasing about the female human as if taunting her.

Using my light crossbow, I picked off the other two goblin archers before they could cause any more trouble from my elevated, covered position.

Suddenly I heard a voice ring out from atop the gate. "Make way for the Blade of Frontiers!" A dark-skinned human male shouted, and then he blew on a very large stationary horn, which seemed to invigorate all of the tiefling's and humans who were fighting, including myself.

He then jumped from the top of the gate to a rock platform nearly at ground level. "There is no escaping the Blade." He said in a determined tone as he landed on his feet. I could tell he was trying to be heroic-looking, as I know a show when I see one, but I was still glad for his aid nevertheless.

He then pointed at one of the goblin fighters and that goblin began to glow with a pink aura. A moment after, the human male pulled back his arms then shot them forward as a burst of energy came at the end of the arm movement.

"Dodah!" He exclaimed as the burst of energy fired off and hit the goblin fighter launching it forwards into the gate and smashing it against it. Blood was all around where he initially struck the gate as the goblin fell back from it and onto the ground, dead.

This caught the attention of one of the worgs as it turned bout and began to run at the dark human male. Coming up to him, the worg took a swipe at him with its right claw, but he quickly dodged it.

Meanwhile the bugbear had tired of the taunting chase, and grabbed a hold of the human female archer holding her up in the air by the neck, her legs kicking wildly below her. I aimed my light crossbow at it's head... but the shot missed as the human female began hitting it in the face, forcing it to move it's head, and summarily my shot missed its mark. Obviously angered by her resistance and blows, the bugbear squeezed harder and crushed the female's neck, her legs dangling below her, lifeless. He then tossed her body aside and coated his morning star with poison, a typical tactic of bugbears, I knew.

The adventurer leader was fighting hard as he was able to down one of the worgs, but was still facing the goblin boss and now a bugbear that was closing in on him. The other human fighter engaged the bugbear swinging at it with his short sword, defending himself with a wooden shield. The bugbear leaped at him coming down hard onto the wooden shield in the center, smashing it from the fighter's hand and injuring the human's shield arm in the process. The human male cried out in pain as the bugbear used that opportunity to strike again, this time at the side of the human's head, knocking him down and poisoning him.

The male was bleeding from the left side of his head as he began coughing up blood, while the bugbear closed in on him. Looking over the human fighter, the bugbear stood over him and just repeatedly smashed into him with his poison-coated morning star. I took this opportunity to coat my arrow the Drow poison, and fired off a couple shots at the bugbear striking it in the neck and the side of it's chest. The poison paralyzed the bugbear instantly, taking it out of the fight, and allowing it to bleed out on the field.

Zevlor from above, fired off a Magic Missile at the worg whom was still engaging the dark-skinned male, wounding it, as the human used this opportunity to get in a few stabs with his rapier, finally taking down the worg, while the human adventurer leader was fighting the goblin boss.

The goblin boss was actually pretty good with his battleaxe, parrying the blows from the human. The goblin boss feinted an attack, and used his size to his advantage. Whipping his battleaxe from below and up, he brought the razor-sharp weapon up between the human's legs and sliced upward, nearly splitting him in two. The human male looked down in disbelief as to what he saw, finally dropping his weapon a few moments later and falling backward onto the grass. The goblin boss laughed at the human he felled, and then roared at his victory.

Seeing this I immediately took out a spell scroll and cast Magic Missile at the goblin boss, watching it wince in pain, it's eyes locking to mine as it began to run toward me. Zevlor fired off a Ray of Frost at it, immediately lowering the goblin's body temperature and slowing its advance to me. The dark human male fired off another of what appeared to be Eldritch Blasts at the goblin, one again launching it alike the other, but this time only just flew into a heap of grass. It quickly quaffed a heal potion, and got back up. I had to admit to myself, this one was a lot tougher than the others.

The goblin boss caught sight of me again, and once more advanced to my position. Seeing as it was already hurt, I decided to use my Drow poison again on my arrows and readied my light crossbow, firing and hitting it in the chest. The Goblin immediately halted its movement and fell over, paralyzed. I imagine the others thought I killed it, as it dropped motionless The 'Blade of Frontiers' as well as Zevlor, recovered from their battle stances.

"Inside all of you, more may follow. Open the gate!" Zevlor shouted. The gate opened and the 'Blade of Frontiers' went inside as I climbed down from the hilltop and walked over to the goblin boss, squatting down, then straddling it. Looking over it's bloodied upper body I smiled, while looking into it's eyes, fear consumed within them.

"That's Drow poison, by the way. You aren't getting up or moving anytime soon, just so you know." I said to him as I took off it's chest armor, and placed it aside. "Not so powerful now, are we?" I smiled as I reached behind myself and took out my dagger. I allowed it to glint in the sunlight before his eyes for a moment as my lips came along side his left ear.

"Say hello to whatever god you worship for me, as you'll be seeing them soon, courtesy of Eilistraee. Bringing my lips and head back from his ear, I plunged the dagger into the goblin boss's chest, piercing and impaling it's heart, giving it a good twist. A moment later, I wiped the dagger clean, and looted the goblin bodies for any 'free stuff'. I then waved my hand to the tiefling on the gate's railing signaling them to allow me to pass. As soon as the gate opened, I walked in through it.

I initiated a conversation with Zevlor, as he spoke of his people's issues in the grove. I said I would help, as a good Cleric of Eilistraee would, aiding the downtrodden and troubled. With that understanding I departed the area, and moved to the Hollows.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 01

While looking around the Grove for anyone that might need help with something to lighten their burdens, I came across a Tiefling that seemed to be out of sorts. He was practicing his swordsmanship on a practice dummy, that was apparently beating him. I walked over to him quietly, and after a few moments, began humming to myself to get his attention. He turned about and I asked if he was having any trouble.

"Nothing but." He replied. So while I had been humming I took his measure and noticed he was off balance, as his feet were too close together, and when he tried to strike the practice dummy his blows would not connect because of that. After explaining this to him, he seemed to be in much better form.

He complemented me saying: "You really know what you're doing." He offered me a weapon he found on the side of the road as a reward. I took it graciously and gave a slight bow. Then, proceeded to the Light Foot Halfling Arron to sell it. I bartered its worth for some food and bottled water and then proceeded to hand them out to the Tiefling children whom were practicing.

Apparently, Wyll took notice of this and smiled at me. "That's a good thing you did." I turned to face him and smiled in return. "It's no less than what is needed to put a smile on their faces, and sustenance in their bellies, when they are trying so hard" I replied.

Suddenly our minds crossed, and I could see into his... Visions of a blue-skinned female enveloped my mind. Placing my right index finger to my right temple, I tried to focus deeper, then saw her outstretched wings, it made me think of a demon of some sort. As quick as the visions came, they also faded just as such.

"I'll be damned to the Nine Hells. You were on the ship too." He said. I agreed with him and we spoke further. "Been thinkin' I need a Healer." I told him that I too was looking for one, and then he spoke of the druid Halsin whom was supposedly pretty powerful, and that he could help us, but that the Goblins nabbed him. I nodded as I listened to his words and of his "Grandest of Plans".

I agreed to help him kill the Goblin leaders, and he joined up with me. He and I then went further into the grove down a long, winding staircase of white stone to what would be the heart of it, seemingly. Angry tieflings were shouting at the three druids in front of the entryway, while there was a tiefling couple in the back, the female seemed distressed.

After speaking with Marricko and Locke we found out they were distressed about their child Arabella whom had been taken to be judged by the new First Druid Kagha for trying to steal their Idol of Silvanas, which apparently they need to cast their ritual to lock down the grove.

I agreed to help and when arriving at the foot of the stairs, I was immediately growled at by a druid whom had shifted into a brown bear. The dark-skinned human female in the middle tried to calm him and then she shifted her gaze onto me. She told me to step back, as that they would not tolerate Drow in there. The Light Foot Halfling druid beside her spoke up: "A moment, Jeorna." He whispered something into her ear and she agreed.

"You. Apparently Kagha wants to see you, go ahead." She then warned me about making trouble and that every animal would be upon me if I did. Smiling wistfully, I walked past them with Wyll in tow and made my way inside taking notice of what was going on at the Sacred Pool, and anything of note.

Upon entering the Groves' Heart and the Sacred Pool area, I noticed a peculiarly dressed human male speaking to what I assumed to be another druid shifted into a brown bear. He gave off a strange aura so I avoided him, walking past even as he shouted a greeting to me. "You there. Hello!" As we passed the Sacred Pool, I decided to take a short detour just to look around for a few moments.

Wyll was close behind me as he followed me down to a small water inlet where yet another shifted brown bear was, fishing using its large clawed paw and had collected quite the impressive pile. Immediately, I felt the presence of magic to my right, and held out my right hand to see if I could locate its origin. Bending over at the hip, I reached down to a rough looking medium-sized rock and moved it aside with both hands. I could feel Wyll's gaze focused upon my backside and smirked to myself. What I found hiding under the rock and half buried in the white grainy beach sand, was a pretty gold necklace engraved with a waterfall. I could instantly sense a feeling of calm rush over me as I beheld it in my hands.

In one movement, I spun upright from the bent over position, hoping to catch Wyll staring at me and was not disappointed. As soon as I got upright he moved his head to the side and looked to the left. I smirked and did a half skip toward him, making sure that I used the slight momentum of the skip to give my body some bounce as he turned his head to face me, wide-eyed. "The Goddess has blessed me with something nice for my devotion. It is an amulet blessed with a spell to heal diseases and conditions. It will be most helpful on our journey!" I said with a sweet smile across my soft lips.

He nodded quietly and smiled in return as I quickly fastened it around my neck, enjoying the calming feeling it bestowed upon me. We then proceeded back up to the Sacred Pool, and further in to go see First Druid Kagha.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 02

A cool and gentle breeze passed about us as we made our way to the other side of the Sacred Pool. I noticed an elevator lift that could become very useful if needed, but of course there was a huge brown bear laying on the pad. Judging by its size, the lever would be worthless to pull without encouraging the brown bear to pick a more convenient sleeping spot. Gently stepping over to it as to not startle it, I nudged at it's left hip gently, trying to coax it awake and off the elevator pad. After a few moments of gentle coaxing, the brown bear finally woke up, and moved off the elevator pad and onto the side, allowing us access to the lift if needed.

Shortly after securing lift access, we made our way further in where a female Druid was speaking softly to a bird on a blue and white painted upright wooden pillar that sat nearly her head-level and a large pig that was wagging its rear back and forth in an unsightly manner.

Smiling to myself at the beauty of nature and its strange creatures, Wyll and I finally came to the white and slightly grey stone door. It was very large and looked as if the front of it had a chiseled design etched into it, with parts of nature beautifully depicted. Upon entering the Emerald Grove, voices could be heard on our way down, a females', one somewhat sharp and unforgiving, and another, a male's voice seemingly desperate.

We made our way slowly down the stone steps to what looked like a potentially dangerous situation. I noted the walls were painted with lavish colors and flair. These were depicted history paintings, and there were plaques to commemorate them. I decided to peruse them at a later time.

Getting to the inner circle area it appeared as if the female Druid, whom I assumed was this 'First Druid' Kagha, was passing judgement on a female tiefling child, assumingly the distraught parents child 'Arabella', with another, a dark-skinned human male attempting to dissuade Kagha. There also appeared to be a venomous snake between Kagha and the child, making sure the tiefling child did not try to run away.

"This is madness Kagha. He exclaimed. "She's just ah..." Sharply, the First Druid interrupted him. "A what Rath? A thief, a poison, a threat?"

Finally getting to where they were, being cautions not to startle the snake for fear it might inadvertently bite the child, I made sure that I was able to be seen by all involved.

"I will imprison the devil. And I will cast out every stranger!" Kagha exclaimed.

I looked hat her with a curious expression. "Imprison her? She is just a child." I interrupted.

"She is a parasite. She eats our food, drinks our water, then steals our most holy idol in thanks!" She retorted sharply. Looking back at Rath, she spoke again.

"Rath - lock her up. She remains here until the rite is complete." Kagha then looked at the Tiefling child in a most evil way, and spoke. "And keep still devil. Teela is restless."

You could see the fear in the child's eyes as she looked at the snake sitting up on its tail, upright like a cobra, hissing.

Wyll then looked at me, a desperate expression on his face, and pleaded. "The child is in danger. Do something, I beg you." With a short, silent exhale, I turned my gaze over to Kagha, looked her in the eye and spoke to her in the female Drow, traditionally expected, authoritative tone.

"Don't Druids cherish harmony? Jailing the girl disrupts nature's balance." I said.

Kagha looked at me for a moment, her face transitioned from slightly surprised, to a softened smile. "I hear the Treefather's spirit in your words. It is as you say." She then made a curious sound, which I could only assume was her speaking to the snake. "Teela - to me. Out thief, my grace has its limits."

With that, the tiefling child ran out of the Emerald Grove, and through the stone door. It appeared that Wyll approved of my tactic as his distraught disappeared, and he was wearing a smile again. After, we went over to Rath and spoke to him.

"You did well to speak up for the girl. That snake is fickle. A tragedy prevented." He said.

I honestly was unsure if he was referring to the snake Teela, or Kagha in this instance. Looking at him with a concerned expression I asked. "And if I hadn't spoken up? What would have happened?"

He gave me a pained look in return. "Nothing befitting a child. Nothing befitting any of our world's creatures. We've let a snake replace our leader. She will see the tieflings driven out, or worse." He replied, and his words became clear whom he deemed a 'snake'.

Looking at Rath with curiosity, I asked. "How did Kagha take over the whole grove?"

"She is First Druid in Halsin's absence. With him caught - or dead - by goblins, none my gainsay her." He replied.

Thinking for a moment, I offered. "If no one is looking for Halsin, I could do it."

He looked genuinely surprised at my reply.
"Would you? I would give anything to see Halsin return home."

I smiling at him seductively. "I'd like a more solid offer than anything."

Rath then looked at me gravely serious, and lowered his voice. "Our need is great. I will open the treasures of this grove to you, even if the circle forbids it."

My interest peaked and my smile widened. "Halsin is an Elf with the presence of a bear. You won't mistake the First Druid for anyone else. He left West, with the adventurers."

Nodding slowly in understanding to Rath, Wyll and I then exited the Emerald Grove and utilized the lift to get to the higher ground area. A sense of imminent danger came over me, and I looked back at Wyll seriously. "Wyll - be on your guard." He nodded in understanding and followed me.

Looking about and seeing nothing, I figured I would try to get to a higher elevation to be able to survey the area better. No sooner did I get to the next higher elevation up, I spotted a Bugbear, at the top of the elevation, crouched. I snapped my fingers once to get Wylls' attention and pointed up. He nodded in acknowledgement and we continued up the rise. As we made our way to the top, the bugbear appeared to be taking its time, sneaking up to a tiefling female whom was unaware of the danger heading her way. There was a telescope close to her, so it was only obvious that she was a long-range lookout, and an obstacle for the Goblins to move unnoticed.

Upon getting close, the bugbear shoved the tiefling female off the side of the elevation. Honestly, the fall should have killed her from that height, but perhaps there was some Hellish protections tieflings had, as my interactions with them were limited so far in my life. The bugbear then turned about and saw me, quickly he coated his weapon with poison. By the way its muscles strained, it was steeling itself for my potential incoming blow. Shield at the ready and slightly bent downward, I ran forward for a shoving shield bash and impacted the Bugbear solidly.

Staggering it for a moment. It was more resilient than I had anticipated, as it then recoiled, and in one movement, grabbed my weapon arm with one hand, the other hand at my throat. The hand at my throat began to squeeze... then suddenly a sound came from behind me: "Dodah!" I was suddenly sent flying backwards and hit the grassy earth with a slightly uncomfortable thud. Wyll had finally made it to the cliff top and used his Eldritch Blast to knock the Bugbear and I apart.

I looked over at him with a frustrated gaze, and I thought to myself. "Took you long enough!" He apparently could read my frustration, and just gave me a 'it can't be helped shrug' as I rose to my feet. I shouted to him to cast Hellish Rebuke, and for him to get between me and the Bugbear. He looked at me like I was absolutely crazy since I was the one in armor, and curiously that I even knew he had that spell.

"Do It!" I commanded. He cast the spell and began running to get between us. I made sure to stand at two feet's length behind him so the Bugbear would attack Wyll first.

He took the bait, and swung his mace at Wyll. Wyll crossed his arms in front of him to protect his body and instantly, in that moment, the bugbear became at a disadvantage from my Protection stance with a shield. The bugbear ignited in flame and after a few seconds of flailing, fell to the ground, lifeless and smoldering. Quickly I cast Healing Word to patch Wyll up, and then we went over to see if the Tiefling was still ok. I bent down and gently cradled the back of her head.

"Wyll, open my pack and get a Healing potion. Pop its cork and hand it to me." I asked. He complied, and with my other hand I slowly allowed the liquid to slide over her lips and down her throat, taking care not to give her overmuch, too quickly. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up at me wide-eyed in fear.

"Is... Is it dead?" she hurriedly asked. "Yes, quite dead." She smiled, and nodded slowly. "Yes... Yes, thank you very much." She replied, slowly getting to her feet.

She took a few moments to compose herself then spoke. "You have good timing. Never been much of a fighter, so... wrestling a bugbear would have gone... poorly."

Suddenly her tone changed to a more questioning one. "But you're not here for heroics, are you? Avernus' stench is all over your skin. Let me guess: your devil mistress sent you to get her soul coin back? Too bad. I earned it fair and square." I was not sure what she was on about, but I decided to be true to my Goddess' path.

"Coin? Mistress? You lost me." I replied sincerely.

"You almost seem honest. Care to explain why you reek of the Hells?" She retorted.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I answered, with a slight bit of embarrassment.

"Considering what I've seen? You'd be surprised. But if you aren't here for the coin, I'd rather enjoy the quiet. There's not much of it anywhere else." Her voice seemingly honest.

I hesitated for a moment than spoke. "A mind flayer abducted me, and its ship went straight to Avernus."

"Well, that's quite the story. And I thought I was doomed. Now I feel sorry for you. Here. Take this. It's worth a fortune. But a fortune's not worth much if you're dead. Consider it payment for saving my life." She replied, in a seemingly genuine voice.

I took the coin and gave her a slight bow. She went to sit back on her makeshift wooden stump seat, and Wyll and I began making our way to speak to the child's parents.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 03

Wyll and I met back up with Marricko and Locke, Arabella's parents.

Locke spoke up first to me. "Our little hellion told us what happened. Thank you - don't know what we'd do without her."

Then Marricko spoke. "It's not much, but here. Never thought i'd call a Drow 'friend' but know this, if you call we'll come running. No matter what." She said in genuinely.

I smiled happily to her and graciously took the necklace, thinking to myself. "Another victory for Eilistraee in broadening Drow relations with the surfacers!"

Looking over to Arabella, I smirked. "No more light-fingered antics - right, Arabella?"

She spoke excitedly for a moment. "Yea, I mean..." Then looked down as though she felt sorry for her tone and needed to change it to a more appreciative and respectful one. Looking back up at me, she smiled and replied. "Thank you, for helping me." I smiled in return, and Wyll and I began to ascend the stone staircase, back to the main level of the Druid Grove.

I looked at the locket that was bestowed upon me as a gift. There was an inscription on it. Apparently, this locket was given to Marricko by Locke as a gesture of his love for her, and commitment. I immediately felt bad for taking it, but also understood the measure of parting with it, as Arabella was their child and what is a locket's symbolic worth next to that of their own flesh and blood. I instantly felt warm inside. My light-hearted emotional state was quickly interrupted by Wyll, apparently not 'reading the room'.

"Welp. I don't know about you, but i'm beat. Maybe we should make camp somewhere?" He asked looking at me.

Returning his gaze with a slight bit of disappointment, I spoke. "No need. I already have one." "Really? Sounds good, so let's make our way there." Wyll replied excitedly.

Wyll and I made our way to my camp, well, our camp now, it seems.

After we each took turns bathing, and finished off our Baldurian Fish Stew that I had prepared for us, I was rummaging in my guilded chest when I turned my head, and saw Wyll was sitting on the ground next to his bedroll, looking like he wanted to engage in conversation. I closed the lid to the chest, and then walked over to him looking at him thoughtfully.

"Something on your mind?" I asked.

He stood up and faced me, a smile across his lips.

"I was watching you at the Grove Gate. You spilled enough goblin blood to fill the Chionthar. Where'd you learn moves like that?" He asked curiously.

Looking at him honestly, I spoke. "My might is a blessing from the Outer Planes."

Wyll looked at me with sincere admiration. "Your gift is near blinding. Your deity must have blessed you twice over. The Blade's not often keen on sharing his glory. But if he has to, better it be with a champ like you." He replied.

Giving him a interested expression, I asked him of his title.
"What about you? How did you become the 'Blade of Frontiers'?"

With a somewhat pained expression, he spoke. "Was a time I didn't amount to much. But then, er..." Curiously, I noticed when he hits the 'er' part, his eye moves to the side, as if he is trying to think of something in a hurry. "...er, a higher purpose called to me. Killed a few goblins, freed a few captives, and I was hooked. The only life I want is a hero's. Now let's get some rest. I do my best goblin-killing at sun up."

Giving him a short nod, I went back over to my guilded chest that is situated just aside my bedroll. I squatted aside it and locked it. I then looked over at Wyll and told him I will be back after a short while, as I rose to my feet.

"Bathroom break?" He asked with a wry smile.

I looked at him with a smirk, and replied.
"No. nothing like that. I must commune with my Goddess, and if you know what's good for you, you won't follow me."

"No, I wouldn't do that. A hero would never do such a thing!" He replied boldly.

"Ah. We'll see." I told him with a playful smile.

I then turned around, and began stripping off equipment, one by one as I made my way to the beach area. I could feel Wylls' gaze, no doubt his eyebrows shot up, and eyes went wide as I doubt he expected me to do that.

As I finally reached the beach completely disrobed, I looked up at the moon, as its soft light shown gently over the white sand and the sparkling water, I sighed softly and began to pray to Eilistraee. Once I was satisfied that the Goddess heard my devoted call to observe, I placed a single aflame candle in the middle of the beach, spoke one word, and began to dance. "Flamesong!" Swaying seductively this way and that I began the ritual dance, leaping and frolicking to and about around the candle in sincere devotion to the Goddess. Once my heartbeat was thundering in my breast from the dancing, I began to sing while dancing.

After about 30 or so minutes of this, I decided the Flamesong Ritual was complete. Returning back the same way I had walked, bending over at the hip and picking up each piece of gear that I took off, I then put them back on and returned to the campfire. Curiously, there was no Wyll to be found. I thought to myself playfully. "Perhaps he needed a bathroom break instead." Smiling to myself, I lay upon my bedroll, and began my restful trance. At some point in the night, during the trance, I heard a voice that I knew not the origin of... "Where are you?"

We began the new day hiking from the camp to the area by the Grove Gate. I immediately noted that the slain goblins' bodies had vanished. Not partially eaten by animals as I had expected, but just gone. Perhaps the tieflings removed them after we left, or someone - or something - did after we departed the Grove for the evening. Keeping that as a side note for later, we went past that area, and down the dirt road. Looking down, Wyll and I noted goblin tracks, heading into the side of a stone wall. Following them, and upon further inspection, and after touching the stone, it began to slowly slide to the right, revealing a passageway.

Wyll and I looked at eachother and decided to forge ahead.

Upon entering the Underground Passage, I immediately felt the presence of magic. Looking up and outward, noticing that the only light sources were from two ground impaled torches, and for a mercy being blessed with Darkvision, I was able to spot a dimly glowing statue far off to the North of us. I looked at Wyll seriously and told him to wait here for me. He nodded, crouched and stayed put as I went further in, sneaking my way closer to the statue. When I came close enough that I thought I was at the very limit of safe distance, I rose to my feet and stepped out one more step, and suddenly the statue hummed, glowing brightly and firing what looked like a firebolt at me. Quickly I rolled again out of range of the statue's 'sight' and got to my feet.

"Hmm." I pondered. "I don't want to destroy the defenses, as they could be useful if needed." It was at that time, that I remembered the invisibility potions that I purchased from that concerned elderly lady in the Druid Grove. The torches giving illumination to the passage seemed like they were lit more at the base than where we were, and there were only two up here. I sneaked back to where Wyll was and handed him a potion.

"It is dimly lit here, and all the illumination is at the base of the the passage, and there is a stone statue perimeter defense in place. But. If it cannot 'see' us, so-to-speak, I won't fire on us and we can sneak past it." I told him.

Wyll looked at me and conveyed his understanding. "Sounds good." He replied.

I took Wyll's left hand with my right, and we crept along the same path I had just walked, at the same spot I knew was safe. I told him to down only half the potion, and he complied, just as I did the same. Keeping a hold of his hand so I didn't lose him in the dark and also because he was invisible now, same as I, we crept through the danger area of the statue as its light remained dim and there was no humming sound at all.

We immediately saw a goblin archer standing near the only other lit torch on this level overlooking a cliff. I brought Wyll around to an area I deemed far out of the statue's 'sight' and whispered to him quietly. "Stay here."

The invisibility potion was beginning to wear off, as I could begin to see Wylls' body revealing itself once more. I knew I couldn't rely on the potion, and using the other half would have been a waste. Slowly I crept over to the goblin archer, sizing it up, it appeared to be a female goblin, and a scrawny one at that. Easily understandable why it would prefer a bow over an axe.

As I was right behind her, I gave her a quick boot to her lower lumbar, ensuring she could not shrug it off, and sent her flying over the cliff screaming to her death. Sadly, Wyll was at a disadvantage here due to the goblins also having Darkvision. But as a Cleric of Eilistraee, and a full blood Drow, I had other ways to help him out.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 04:

The goblin archer, upon falling to her death just at the feet of another goblin, a male fighter it seemed, impacted with a sickening splat. Blood oozed from her body and sprayed up onto him and into his face.

"Did some bleeding hearts come to save the druid? I'll cut ya' to pieces. Kill em'!" He shouted.

The other two goblin archers, a male and a female readied their weapons for battle as well. I crept back to Wyll, and again took his hand and brought him just out of their view. I whispered to him softly. "Do me a favor. Cast Hellish Rebuke on yourself." He immediately reeled his head back and looked worried, as he intimately remembers the last time I told him to do that.

"No, no, it's not like that. Well, it might end up like that, but that is a last resort." I said. He did not look very reassured by my words.

"I am going to go down there an take on the three Goblins. I want you to take the high ground up here to back me up, with your spells. Understand?" I explained.

His facial expression softened a bit, now that he realized I was not using him as bait again, and nodded slowly.

Quietly I made my way down the path until I was able to see the goblins. They were searching around for anyone in the shadows that might be responsible for killing the goblin archer.

"Hey!" I shouted. Immediately garnering their attention, the two archers looked up, then ran after me. I quickly downed the other half of my invisibility potion, and pocketed the bottle. Disappearing from view I ran past the statue, and set my trap. Knowing exactly where the safe zone was, crouched there, and waited. Sure enough the two came running after me, bows at the ready and an arrow knocked in each. Suddenly, once again as expected, the statue hummed to life and became brightly illuminated. Pummeling firebolts flew at the two goblins, both screaming in agony as they were lit aflame, and shortly thereafter dropped lifelessly to the ground.

"Raaagha! You'll pay for that!!" The male goblin cried out as he heard his fellows wailing death throes, and then dead silence.

Wyll looked over and smiled giving me a 'thumbs up'.

"Where are you!? Come out and face me!" the fighter goblin taunted.

Knowing that the trick wasn't going to work twice, I casted the cantrip Dancing Lights to illuminate the area around me in the darkness. I knew that the sudden illumination of a light source would catch Wylls' attention, so I took out the empty invisibility potion bottle, looked at him and pointed to it, then pointed to him, and then to me. Wyll seemed confused at first, but then instantly realized and took out the half full bottle he still had.

He tightened the cork so it didn't spill, and tossed it to me. Catching it deftly, I downed the other half if its contents and crept past the statue. Once again at the lower level of the passageway, I could see a Light Foot Halfling laying on its back. I was not sure if it was dead or hurt, but I had to make sure I kept the fighter goblin's attention to protect it either way, as that is the Goddess' Will to protect the helpless and weak if we can.

Using the last of the time I had on the invisibility potion, I quietly made my way into melee range of the goblin male. Taking a moment to size him up before the potion ended, noting his armor was light and he bore no shield, just a battleaxe and no headgear.

In the instant I became visible I cast Faerie Fire on him, he was immediately taken aback at my sudden appearance before him. Quickly recovering, he flew at me in a rage, again shouting a taunt. "I'll cut ya to pieces!!" Bringing his battleaxe up, charging at me, he brought it down on my shield as I braced myself for the impact.

Wyll was becoming frustrated that he couldn't get a clear shot as the Goblin and I went at it back and forth clanging battleaxe to metal shield, parrying and attacking from both participants. Finally, I saw an opening and booted him over the edge of the other cliff that dropped into a little water pool surrounding a small rock formation. "Grhaaahh!" He shouted as he fell. In the next second I heard a familiar sound and a trio of humming began, eyes widening, I quickly leaped for the rock wall farthest from the cliffside when I saw a huge volley of firebolts erupt from three brightly glowing, wolf-headed statues embedded in the back cavern's rock face.

Breathing heavily, sitting on my rear and back literally against the far ends' rock-wall, I exhaled a sigh of relief. "Dammit." I thought. "I need to check on that Halfling." Rising to my feet, I waved to Wyll, and he smiled for a moment, then looked concerned.

"What?" I questioned.

"Ah... Got anymore of those invisibility potions in your bag?" He asked gingerly.

"Nope. Only bought two, one for you and one for me. Wasn't that nice of me? Worked out well, yes?" I said, satisfied with my smart pre-planning.

"Yea, well... so... How do I get down? I am sorta stuck up here without one." He mentioned.

"Pffft." I replied. "You can climb can't you? You got up that other rock face with the bugbear... Eventually." I replied, somewhat snidely and giving him a squint-eyed face in mock anger.

"You... You can't be serious." He said.

"Do I look like i'm made of gold? I spent our budgeted last on those potions as a security net. I really did not intend to use them this early, but the circumstances gave us no choice." I explained.

Letting out a deep sigh, Wyll resigned himself to the task and slowly made his way down the cliff.

Stepping over to the now what looked like a merely knocked out, but bleeding Halfling. I got on my knees aside him and placed my hands on each side of his face, cradling it gently and whispered the spell of Cure Wounds. The Lightfoot Halfling began to regain vitality and slowly sat up, allowing me to bring my hands back into my lap, and looked at him. He then jumped to his feet and spoke excitedly.

"Oh. Thank you, thank you. I thought I was gonna die down here."

"I'm surprised the goblins didn't gut you on sight. Why didn't they?" I asked.

"They were asking questions - about a weapon. I told them - the only weapons here, are the ones the foul-bloods brought. I must tell the others what happened. Step careful. There are traps in these tunnels. And thank you again." He answered, jumping to his feet and scurrying off past me.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 05

After watching the lightfoot halfling scurry up the muddy path in the opposite direction we came, Wyll finally made it back to where I was. Rising to my feet, I looked at him and smiled.

"Nice little workout?" I asked.

"Hmph. Nothing the Blade cannot handle! He boasted.

"Ah. Good." I replied.

We began to make our way in the same direction as the lightfoot halfling when I looked up and spotted another wolf head statue. "Of course there is another one." I said and extended my right arm out, bending at the elbow with my fist upright to signal Wyll to stop.

Not wanting to take any chances, I decided that it couldn't be helped and signaled Wyll to use his Eldritch Blasts to destroy the statue. Wyll got into his stance and began shooting Eldritch Blasts at it until the head finally weakened enough to crack and burst into pieces. Thankfully we were far enough away as to not have to worry about falling debris.

"Alright, let's keep moving." I said.

"Right behind you." Wyll added.

We came upon another stone door like the one we entered the Underground Passage through, and I once again I placed my palm against it gently, and as before, the stone door slid to the right, opening the way into what seemed like yet another cavern. Except this time I could hear shouting. It was coming from our left as we were coming out of the passage so we decided to investigate.

"Yer gonna be sorry. Every last one of yah." I could hear one female voice being very demeaning, and another female and a male as well it seems off in the distance.

"Aw, you tiefs are all borin'. Even your cages are boring!"

"Lemme out, ya buncha softies!" The voice continued.

Upon approach, we could see a goblin female in what seemed like a cage or holding cell, and a female tiefling with a light crossbow loosely trained on the goblin, with a male tiefling off to the females' side, a couple feet away but in front of the cage.

We arrived to where the scene was unfolding.

"Ya ain't gonna shoot me. Yer hands are shakin'." The goblin taunted the female tiefling.

The male tiefling spoke as well. "Put it down, she can't fight back."

"That's the point. Get out of the way!" She yelled.

"She didn't kill your brother, Arka. You're better than this." Attempting to reason with her.

"Shoot before you lose your nerve tiefling, if you ever had it to begin with." The goblin continued to taunt the female tiefling.

Looking at the goblin, I spoke. "Shut up. Those words could be your last!"

The goblin looked at me and smiled. "I'm not afraid. Chosen by the Absolute I am. I'm blessed." She said in boastful defiance.

Arka then spoke up. "I'll bless you all right."

Instead of aiding the goblin, because the Goddess generally does not want us to aid those whom are Evil, I decided to watch what happens.

Arka then trained the light crossbow seriously on the goblin, and fired. Blood splattered as the arrow shot between the bars of the cage and into the goblin's chest. The Goblin then fell upon its back, dead. After the deed was done, Arka and the male tiefling exited the area through the wooden door to our right.

After a few moments, I looked from the goblin to Wyll, and he started to speak.

"Nice - she saved us the trouble of killing that goblin ourselves." I looked at him seriously. "May the rest of her horde meet the same fate."

"Well, this makes one down. Only a few thousand more to go." He replied, jokingly.

After that, I decided to use that special trinket I found in the ruined Chapel of Jergal.

"Well, she might be dead, but I didn't do it. So perhaps there is a way to get some information about this Absolute and her horde before we start in earnest. You know, like finding out where it even is." I said aloud.

"I don't know how you are going to do that. She's dead. Like, dead dead." Wyll questioned.

"Ye of little faith, my friend. I am a Dark Lady after all, and I have some toys for special situations that need to be made the most of." I teased with a snarky smile.

"Oh really now? This I want to see." He replied with a curious expression.

Reaching into my pack, I pulled out an amulet. Took off the Silvanus Amulet I was wearing and replaced it with the new one.

"Pretty." He complemented.

"Why thank you... Oh... Hmph. You meant the amulet. Jerk." I made a face and stuck out my tongue at him in mock irritation.

Facing the dead goblin female, I quickly smacked my arms across my chest in an audible 'slap', as green necromantic energy began to collect into my body, and my eyes glowed the same color.

Wyll reeled back in shock. "Woah!"

Focusing my attention on the slain goblin, I reached out my right arm in her direction as if reaching out to her soul. Suddenly, my eyes turned pure white.

Three glowing white symbols began to come into view, one after the other until a fourth one appeared creating a 'U-shape' cradling the three. They arose over my forearm as white energy circled about the area between my forearm and wrist, and the goblin's body arose from the floor, hovering a few feet off the ground.

An eerie, disembodied female voice rang out: "The corpse regards you, lifelessly."

"Oh wow! I didn't expect all this!" Wyll said in shocked, yet captivated interest.

I began my interrogation of the goblins' soul.

"Who leads your tribe." I asked.

"Boss Ragzlin, and the Drow." It replied.

"Who or what is the Absolute?" I asked.

"Everything, all of us..." It replied honestly.

"Can anyone in your tribe heal?" I questioned.

"Priestess Gut... powerful..." The soul replied.

"Where can I find this Priestess Gut?" I questioned further.

"West... temple ruins..." The soul revealed.

I decided to ask one more question, for curiosity sake. "How did they capture you?"

"...Scoutin' ...Snoopin... tieflin's... don't fight... fair..."

Deciding that that was all we were going to get out of her, I began to rotate my arm in 3 slight backward circles to unravel the spell, and end it. The iris's of my eyes returned to their Elven Winter color and the goblin female slowly lowered to the ground.

"That was some show. I didn't expect any of that." Wyll honestly spoke.

"I told you before, I know how to get things done. Plus, now we have a lead on where to find them." I replied resolutely.

"So I see. I wonder what other toys and talents you have hiding away." He continued.

"Well, if you're very lucky, you just might get to see some." I teased in return with an innocent smile.

After the exchange, we made our way through the wooden door, closed it, and headed out of the Druid Grove, back to the main dirt road where we made our way to camp, as it was beginning to get dark.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 06

We made our way to camp, and thankfully it seemed nothing had been disturbed. Every morning before we depart, I take my guilded chest to the small, ruined building to the North East of the camp. I remove the few bricks that I found loose and hide it there. I have a blessing on the chest, an Eilistraeean Ward as a trap if it is ever found to dissuade looters, I then return the bricks in front of it, and clean up as if never disturbed.

I retrieved my guilded chest from that place and unlocked it. Thankfully the Ward will simply allow my to open it without removing it, as it is attuned to me, which saves me the effort of re-warding it every morning. I also took out my pack and placed the locket I received from Marricko and Locke within the guilded chest. This chest holds all my special things from my adventures, and memories, that I do not have to take on the road with me until we make a new camp in another place.

I'm still wondering when the symptoms will start. We need to begin our search for Halsin in the morning, as I do not know how many more days we have left until this tadpole starts gestating into the Ceremorphosis timeline. I wish my Goddess could help me, but I think myself unworthy of such a rare boon. Perhaps she will help me in my darkest hour, when I have proven worthy of such a thing, but only time will tell, and that is sadly something I know not how much I have.

I decided to cook something up for Wyll and myself. I made something really nice the night before, a true rare dish, but unfortunately I used up all those ingredients. I decided on a more simple route tonight - dried beef jerky for protein and some bottled water for good hydration. It was simple, but every night cannot be a delicacy. Wyll ate it up eagerly. I guess he doesn't mind my choice of meals, as he probably cannot cook himself, but I could be wrong. I'm happy to nourish him, it makes me smile when I can make people happy.

After dinner I bathed in the water under the moonlight, and when he returned from his and looked like he was ready to converse, I approached him.

"Salutations." He said.

"An unusual name - 'the Blade of Frontiers'." I asked.

With a prideful expression he spoke. "Living legend, in the flesh. Slayer of spectres, killer of kobolds - the pride of Baldur's Gate." He boasted.

"The esteemed Blade. Why, your reputation proceeds you!" I said in a slightly excited tone.

"So you know the stories! All true, I might add. Won't be long before they're telling new tales. Mind flayers, flying ships, dragon attacks - the legend grows!" He boasted again.

Looking at him intently with his incredibly proud face, I noticed his right eye is artificial. "Your eye is... unusual. What happened?"

"Now, now - I always save the best stories for my closest friends or my cruelest enemies. Get to be one of those and i'll spill the whole jug." He looks at me expectantly. "You get that, right? Spill the whole jug?" I give him a purposefully confused look as it was a terrible one. "Ugh - guess i'll toss that one on the heap." He said, reluctantly.

I lean in and examine the eye more closely. I notice tiny grooves that spider across the eye's surface. It resembles a Sending Stone, used to confer with distant contacts if I remembered correctly. I decided to ask him about it.

"Isn't your eye a Sending Stone?" I questioned.

"A what now? Goodness, but it's just a bit of rock - nothing so special, I assure you." He replies, then his facial expression changes, as if ashamed of what he just said, then just as quickly, he looks up, composed and proud.

Using the power of the Tadpole, I enter his mind...

"What are you..." He asks, then suddenly feels my overt intrusion.

My right eye vibrates, an odd sensation. One I can only assume is mimicking his own. I hear a woman's voice echo's in my head. "Where in the Nine Hells have you been?" I hear.

Wyll reels, but recovers. "Enough with the mind poking. I told you - the eyes a rock, nothing more. And that's the end of it."

"I heard a woman's voice when our minds connected. Who is she?" I interrogated.

Wyll retorted, his eyes looking down at first, yet again recovering with the same proud facade. "A woman? Why, who can say? I have tracked beasts with many a great hunter, and shared stories with many more. I have even shared my bed with a few. Allow me some modesty - some tales are the Blade's alone to treasure." He said.

If I had not seen the image of a demon and heard her voice, and he not having a Sending Stone as an eye, I might have entertained the notion of his privacy. But he was obviously keeping something from me, and I would have that knowledge if I were to trust him further.

I decided to change the subject.

"You're surprisingly calm. My appearance often provokes a stronger reaction." I asked.

"I've crossed blades with the Gloomstorms of Gracklstugh, and they earned every last wound. You're not so scary. I bet you're hiding a smile under those scowls." He said.

I would have scowled, if he hadn't lied to me. But I decided to smile, to give him a false sense of security. I would have this mans' secret, and know why I am being deceived. I cannot fully trust someone to have my back whom lies to me about something so obvious. I will watch him, and bide my time.

I decided to change the subject once again.

"Dealing with the goblins - what is your plan?" I questioned with interest.

Wyll looked at me and replied confidently. "There's an old saying I just made up."

I looked at him and thought. "Really..."

"To fell a dragon, you must chop off its head." He said.

"These goblins are organized. It's no ham-head pulling it's strings. We slither through their camp and off their leaders, quick as crickets." He continued.

I looked at him and replied. "You seem eager to to help the tieflings."

Wyll spoke again. "Did you see those tiefling kids back at the grove? They should be chasing frogs, climbing trees. Not... training for battles they can't win."

I felt bad for a moment, thinking of the children.

"Those people look at me, and they see a hero. Imagine how bad they'd feel if they were wrong."

I had to ponder that for a moment. A supposed 'Hero' that has no confidence in himself... Curious. I decided to shelve that thought process for after the Flamesong Ritual.

"Well, I have to do my nightly commune. I do not know if you watched last night or not, but truth be told it does not really matter. I care little and less to be robed at night. As my devotion to the Dark Maiden is a ritualistic homage that needs completion. I do not know if you went for a 'Bathroom break' as you asked of me but it matters not. Watch if you want, I will hold nothing back, for my devotion is pure and unafraid." I said to him.

He spoke not a word, but I could feel his gaze, as I once again turned to the beach area, and began stripping off my garments.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 07

We moved out from the camp, trekking again for a time, and again passing the Druid Grove continuing along the dirt road. We noticed a fork in the road from the main straight path, so I decided to divert from the main route out of curiosity.

As we approached, I could hear voices that sounded as if they were desperate. I decided this would be another good opportunity to enhance Drow and surfacer relations and decided to investigate. Upon getting closer, I could see what looked like a human male bent slightly overlooking what appeared to be a downed dwarf, and a human female off to the side, with a frightful demeanor.

"You're a True Soul, you cannot die. Please stay with us," The human female begged.

The male human spoke after. "I don't think he is conscience. Can you hear me Ed?"

The female human looked up and over at Wyll and I as we approached. "You! Not a step closer."

I looked at the human sternly, and spoke with authority.

"I will go where I wish."

She looked as if she was taken aback, as glowing runes on her face lit up, and my tadpole reacted behind my eye.

"I'm so, so sorry. It's our brother - True Soul Edowin. He's injured, and I... I wasn't thinking." She replied, almost stammering over the words.

The injured dwarf locked eyes with me, I could feel the parasite writhing behind my eye.
"Protect them." He said, using the telepathic link.

The dwarf then spoke weakly. "She is a True Soul. She will... She..."

The human male cried out. "Edowin! Ed please..."

The human female spoke solemnly. "He's with the Absolute now."

The human male then spoke desperately, looking at me. "A True Soul. Thank the Absolute. Edowin, our brother - he was chosen. Like you." The human female followed. "Do you have orders for us? We were reporting to Edowin."

"First, what are your names, then tell me what happened to your brother, exactly?" I demanded.

They looked at eachother a moment, then to me, and the human male spoke.

"I'm Andrick, and this is my sister Brynna. We were looking for fugitives. Survivors from that ship that crashed farther West from here. ...but, instead of them Edowin found an owlbear. An angry one. I told Edowin not to look in that cave, it was filthy with Owlbear tracks."

"Tell me more about these fugitives." I questioned.

"We don't know what they look like, but anyone who survived that crash is bound to be injured. That's enough to get us started. The Absolute wants them found, at any cost." Andrick answered.

"Explain this Absolute to me." I questioned further.

"What? Are you... are you testing us? The Absolute is our Goddess. She is going to rip down the old world order, start a new one." He replied.

Brynna then followed up after. "A True Soul - like you - has been chosen by the Absolute. You speak with Her voice and when the time comes, the True Souls - you - will rule."

"A crude summary. You have more to learn of our faith, novice." I said, once again continuing the tone of authority.

"I'm sorry, True Soul. I... only repeated what I thought I knew. It seems the Absolute still has a great deal to teach me." She said, ashamed.

I looked at them seriously, and spoke once again.

"Forget the owlbear. You're still alive - so go." I told them.

"But... What about Ed. Should we just, leave him?" I told them yes, as he was with the Absolute now and that there was nothing they could do for him now but remember him. After that, they both looked at eachother, and then made their way down the dirt path we were following. After Wyll believed they were out of earshot, he spoke.

"I'll be damned to the last Hell. We can connect with others, try to mold their minds. Handy power, if you ask me. Maybe the brain-bugs aren't all bad." He concluded.

I looked him in the eye and spoke. "Handy, but potentially dangerous. There could be repercussions." I warned.

"Mm - hadn't though of that, but you're right. Last thing we need is a bug-backlash." He agreed.

"Still, a shame to turn our backs on a skill that potent. Maybe we just dabble here and there, see what happens." He reasoned.

I was not sure what to think, honestly. This power is most probably a double-edged sword, and I doubt the Dark Maiden would like me doing this unless it was in a life-threatening situation. I resolved myself to using it only when absolutely necessary, but I would still watch over Wyll, as before, lest he decides to become reckless with his 'dabbling'.

We decided to go back the way we came, and continue on over the bridge that was near the main path.

After crossing the bridge we saw what looked like the end result of a battle. Four adventurers and two goblins flayed in pools of their own blood.

I sighed heavily. "More death." There was silence in the area so it was safe to say all had been dead awhile, and it was too late for Last Rites to guide their souls to Jergal.

While checking the dead for anything of use, I came across a small scroll made of animal skin. Opening it, there were three charcoal drawn stick figures. A Goblin with sparks coming from its hand, a square humanoid figure, and another that seemed to resemble an Elf, with each of them wearing a simple crown. I deduced from this that there were most likely three 'Leaders' and that this assassination job just got a whole lot more complex.

I showed this scroll to Wyll and spoke of my deductions and he nodded. "Just more we gotta do is all." I sighed quietly to myself. I really wondered sometimes how he always thought everything is just going to be so easy, especially when I have shown him it is exactly the opposite. Perhaps it is his way of stifling his fear of the severity of the task, or perhaps he cannot help but always want to keep that image of a 'Hero' up, even though he knows it is going to be harder than he lets on. Time will reveal such things to me, I believe, it usually does.

Walking past the bodies, we saw what appeared to be a stone wall and an entrance. A large billboard was just outside the entrance. Looking carefully about before entering, I spotted a few Goblins atop the rooftops and whispered to Wyll to be ready, just in case.

Walking into the village that the billboard called 'Moonhaven' like I owned the place, I expected the Goblins to say something, but I decided to wait and see. I remembered what the female Goblins' soul in the cage back at the Grove told me about a Drow leader, so perhaps that will work in my favor, I thought.

Then as soon as I walked through the stone doorway, a female voice rang out from the rooftop to my right.

"Git over there. Surround'em like!"

I looked up, and recognized the garb of a goblin booyahg, and spoke.

"Keep quiet." I told her in an authoritative tone.

"Oi! You just walked into the wrong town!" She squinted at me a moment, and saw my face. "Wait - a Drow, in the sun? Stand down! This one's got a touch of the Absolute about her."

The goblin booyahgs' tone immediately because subservient. Hearing this, I thought to myself that my instincts were right, pleased with myself.

"Apologies, your lordship. Hard makin' you out from a distance."

I looked up at her and gave her a typical Drow female scowl and response.

"I should pluck out your eyes. You're clearly not using them."

The booyahgs' tone became even more subservient with some added fear mixed in.

"Please, your greatness. It was an honest mistake, is all."

I looked up at her for a moment, letting her sweat a little, then smiled.

"You'll get no more trouble from us, promise." The Booyahg female spoke, apparently relieved she was allowed to keep her sight.

"If any of the lads gives you trouble, they'll answer to me!" She followed up saying as a apparently a sign of reassurance.

After that, I began to walk down the main path, deeper into Moonhaven with Wyll. Finding another Ancient Rune Circle here as well on a stone wall was a good boon, I thought.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 08

After we discovered the Ancient Rune Circle, I decided to go exploring a bit, to see if there was anything of use and if there were any clues to why this town seemed abandoned save for the few goblins here, especially since I have yet to see a dead body save those few just outside the entrance of Moonhaven.

I looked to the right, the same building the goblin booyahg was on the rooftop of, and opened the wooden door. Apparently, this was the former residence and workshop of the town smith. As there was a huge anvil in the next room with old hammers and the like. Inspecting around, I saw a book on the ground in an alcove by an old wine barrel. Picking it up and thumbing through its contents, I found writing from the former smith's apprentice mentioning a schematic, basically a weapon blueprint. It was not in the book but mentioned it was here somewhere, so I decided to investigate the room with the huge anvil next.

In the middle of the room was a huge hole, covered in a thick layer of cobwebs that were dried so hard one could even walk upon them. I deduced that whatever we were looking for was probably down there. So I told Wyll to use the firebolt scroll we had to burn away the cobwebs. He took it out from his pack and read the incantation.

A firebolt burst from the parchment and into the center of the webbing, incinerating it, and revealing a now accessible hole. Carefully we made our way down and found a bunch of empty crates, a bed, furniture, and a fully equipped smithing area. I thought to myself that I was going to keep this location in mind for later in case we ever needed to make something.

Upon inspecting the area further, there was what looked to be a chest against the far wall by a ladder, that looked suspicious. Wyll and I walked over to it, and we knelt down in front of it. I always appreciate the fact that I can see clearly in pitch black darkness, and this was no exception. Inspecting the lock, there was gearing within that should not be there, which just screamed 'trapped' to me.

I pointed to the lock, and spoke. "It's trapped. Hand me a disarm toolkit, will you?" He reached into his pack and pulled out one set. "Thanks." I said.

Setting to work, I began disarming what seemed to be an explosive trap, judging by the two capsules of black powder one on each side of the chamber lock. It took longer than i'd like, but we were in no immediate danger, it seemed, from being discovered down here. After a few more turns and clips, the chest 'clicked', letting me know the trap was disabled safely. I handed to disarm kit back to Wyll and took out my own pair of thieves tools. Working the actual lock now, manipulating and pushing, one-by-one each tumbler, I was able to successfully disarm and unlock the chest.

"Now, let's see if it was worth the effort." I thought aloud.

Upon opening the chest there was a parchment scroll within. Unrolling it, I read over it briefly and my eyes lit up. "Nice! This looks to be the weapon blueprint that the book we found was speaking of." Reading further down in the notes, it mentioned the key ingredient is sussur bark. I instantly knew what it meant, and again spoke aloud "There's only one place i'm finding a sussur tree, the Underdark."

"Oh, that sounds like loads of fun." Wyll said sarcastically.

"It might be, you never know, oh famed Blade of Frontiers." I teased back at him.

Putting the blueprint in my pack, we got to our feet and continued to inspect our surroundings. I could feel a breeze coming from a wall aside the smithing area and placed my hand against the smooth stones and grooves. Giving the stones a bit more pressure, some of them collapsed forward, partially revealing an opening.

"Help me out here." I asked of Wyll, as he began pulling the stones from their loose holdings as well. It looked like a cavern area, and running water, like that of a waterfall, could be heard off in the distance. We decided to move into that area and I immediately noticed a lot of webbing.

Knowing what that meant from growing up in the Underdark, I looked back at Wyll and spoke seriously.

"Be careful of the webbing. They carry vibrations to things we do not want to alert, or be at a disadvantage of."

Wyll looked back at me and smiled. "Got it."

[War Maiden]

Chapter 09

Considering our options, I decided that going this way proffered too much risk, as there had to be another way into these caves from the surface, and as I told Wyll, any number of things could be waiting for us down there from Phase Spiders to explosive Ettercaps.

Wyll looked at me a bit confused as I turned around and started walking back the way we came. "We aren't going this way?" He questioned.

I gave him the look and he immediately realized his folly. "Yea. You did mention it was dangerous trying to walk on the webs."

I really wanted to scold him, but I let it go. "Yes, that is exactly why. I would rather not die down here, and I am sure you would agree, being spider or something else's food is a terrible way to go."

Wyll smiled at me. "My thoughts exactly. Let's find a better way forward."

I lead him back to where we entered the cavern. Going through the wooden door by the bed and up the stairs, we came upon some double doors. The old, partly molded key opened them easily, and we were once again in Moonhaven proper.

It was getting dark, so I decided to use the Ancient Rune Circle to bring us back to just outside the Druid Grove. That way we didn't have to trek so far to return to our camp.

Getting in those last few steps seemed to be very taxing, as a shiver wracked my body with pain. I slowly dragged myself over to Wyll, and it took a few moments for him to come into focus.

"I'm not feeling so good. Like a giant kicked me clear across the Ice Mountains." Wyll complained.

Raising my left hand to my forehead, and as I touched it, my head felt like it was burning hot across my palm.

"...And it's not just me, from the looks of you." Wyll observed, looking at my demeanor and face.

"This could be it - the beginning of the end." I said, weakly.

"Can't say it hasn't crossed my mind. But listen here: the Blade's dodged a blood hawk's talons and felled a death dog by night." Wyll boasted of past exploits.

"It is difficult to keep focus, and my legs are feeling very heavy, like they're made of iron." I told him.

"I reckon by dawn, we'll..." He coughs slightly. "...be right as rainbows." He said.

I decided that I was going to skip the meal and the bath, as everything hurt. I picked up my Ritual Candle and began slowly moving toward the beach.

"You can't be serious! You are barely able to stand and you're still going to do that ritual?" Wyll exclaimed.

"I..." I sighed to myself. "I must commune with her, hopefully she will hear me and help us." I replied in a weak tone.

"Haaah." Wyll exhaled loudly. "Fine, but don't overdo it." He said. He was trying to be supportive, I thought to myself.

Finally reaching the center of the beach, I fell to my knees and placed the lit candle upon the sand. Looking out over the water to my left, as the moonlight bathed everything once again in it's soft luminescence. I slowly disrobed, piece by piece, as it was a significant strain to try to fold them neatly, then place them to the side.

Still on my knees, completely nude and sitting on my heels, I prayed to the Dark Maiden for help. I begged her to aid me in my time of need, and to allow me to help Wyll as well, for I did not know how much longer we had left. I did this for a long while, reflecting on all the past good deeds, and cultural bonds forged with the surfacers, that I did in Her name, and prayed as hard as I could. I apologized profusely for not dancing for her, and hoped she understood, as I could barely speak and could not raise my voice in song for Her either.

After awhile more of praying, I used my remaining strength to re-robe and crawl on my hands and knees to my bedroll. Wyll was already in his tent, I guessed, so I did not bother looking for him. Getting to the bedroll, I laid there thinking of all the things left unfinished in my life, and hoped that whatever came next, that at some point I would be at my Goddess' side. Then, my world faded to darkness.

"Chosen. Let me come to you, let me help you." A familiar voice rang out.

At first when the female voice said 'Chosen' I thought it was the Dark Maiden calling to me, but then I recognized the voice, as it was the same one from the Nautiloid.

My eyes open as I am laying in some small grove, on my left side, in what seems to be and smell like grass, with the sound of powerful running water behind me. Perhaps a waterfall, as the sound was too loud to be from a water pump.

"I know your voice. I heard it on the Nautiloid." I said aloud.

"I've been searching for you. You're always so far away." The voice said.

"Come here. Come to me." I beckoned to the voice.

The beautiful visage of a Drow female came into view, lying in front of me, a foot or two apart. Long flowing white hair and the same eye color as mine, Elven Winter blue. She was wearing a very elegant dress adorned with gold embroidery and a soft overall color and material like the finest of silk. After a few moments, she touched the fingers of her left hand to my cheek, stroking it delicately a couple times. I thought to myself that her touch was softer than I had expected.

"You frown in your sleep. There must be so much on your mind. You think that you're sick. That you're dying... Are you afraid?" She asked.

"I never sleep. How is this possible?" I questioned, in a confused tone.

"How far does the deepest trance lay from sleep? I leave that answer to your clever mind, darling." She answered, sensually.

"I fear nothing. I'll purge this sickness and be free again." Speaking resolutely.

"You're so close to power. Right on the cusp. Yet, still a shadow of what you will become." The mysterious female replied.

I closed my eyes for a moment, then open them again, she was no longer in front of me. Then, at once, I could sense her behind me, nearly against me as the fingers of her right hand traced lines from my neck down to my shoulder.

"Come now. I'll make you feel better. Let yourself go, lean back." She asked.

I stayed silent. Immediately I felt something in my blood stir, something reeled inside like a wounded beast, and it wanted her gone.

"...you're not ready." She said in a slightly surprised tone. "I will return when you are. But, I do have a parting gift." The female Drow said, then just like that, she was gone.

I awoke on my back, atop my bedroll, looking up at the sky. It was morning, so I turned over and got to my knees and then my feet. I am unsure what I am feeling or whom that Drow woman was in my dream, but for some reason, I do not feel as I did the night before. If anything, it is as if the symptoms have completely been removed. I looked over at Wyll as he was getting out of his tent, standing upright, he was doing an arm circle with his right arm, and placed his left hand on its shoulder. He then looked over at me and smiled, so I decided to approach him.

"Well, look at you - fit as a fox, and twice as eager. I feel it too - not just renewed, but improved. New talents aching for release. Don't tell me - someone came to you, an object of desire. Made you better. More than better. Same happened to me." Wyll explained.

I looked at him curiously, and spoke. "Someone, yes. Who was it for you?" Genuinely interested.

"An old lover. Tempting as a trail of rose petals, and just as fragrant. Teasing me with promises. With power, with release. I still shiver from the memory." He answered honestly.

I get an odd chill as our parasites resonate. My mind's eye shows me Wylls' dream, instead of mine. I can hear the words again in my mind: "Let me come to you. I can help you" yet, it is a stranger whom speaks them - a ravishing woman, draped in the thinnest of silks.

"I truly believed it was her, till light of day broke. Her words so sweet: "Let yourself go." Wyll continued. "I couldn't say no." He admitted.

Curiosity begged me to investigate for more. "Tell me more about this old flame of yours."

Wyll looked at me and smiled slightly, as if remembering something very important to him.

"A giver, and a taker. Without her, i'd hardly be who I am, for better..." His eye looked away for a moment, as if he felt shame in speaking his next words. "...or worse."

He then looked back at me, and spoke. "But why tell old tales when there's new ones to write? I'm in such fine fettle, I could slay a gold dragon!" He boasted heartily.

I didn't know what to think, but at least in this instance he was right. I felt a lot stronger than I had in recent memory. Not only that, but it seemed I had been gifted knowledge of a psionic healing power that I didn't previously know existed. I was going to be wary of using this psionic power, for now. I had hoped my Goddess had played some role in this restoration, that my fervent prayers had been answered, but time will tell, it seems.

We began our trek back to the Druid Grove area, and then used the Ancient Rune Circle to teleport to Moonhaven. There I decided to inspect a water well that was nearby, as it went very far down, possibly too far for a safe decent.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 10

Deciding to do a bit of surveillance before heading down into the water well, we moved about halfway down the muddy decline from Moonhaven as suddenly, Wylls' voice rang out.

"Hello? I'm coming as fast as I can... Huh... Drow?"

I turn around. "Hell-ohh, er, hello!" He says loudly, looking a bit embarrassed.

Looking at him intently, I examine his sending stone eye and ask him who he was talking to.

"This again? No, no. Just preparing my warcry. 'I'm coming as fast as I can!' Needs a bit of work, I recon. Look... I haven't been exactly forthcoming."

I thought to myself: "No way, you? The esteemed Blade?"

"...I've got a reason of my own for going after the goblins." He admitted.

"So much for the selfless hero." I said with a knowing smirk.

"Don't get me wrong chief. I'll clear the way for the tieflings, come hell or high water. But my missing eye? That's goblin's work, there. I was still a whelp when a goblin bruiser named 'Spike' ripped it out of my skull. I've got reason to think he's holed up in that camp. So don't go beheading every goblin you see. At least, not till I finish my business with Spike." He explained.

Strangely enough I could smell blood on the wind from up ahead, so I decided to follow the scent. What we found was a bit of a shock. Arka, the tiefling female that killed the female 'blessed' goblin in the cage at the Druid Grove as revenge for her brother, Kanon's death at the Grove Gate fight, was laying in a pool of her own blood on a small rise overlooking the goblin basecamp.

Considering the situation, and thinking to myself, I had no idea how she even got here, as there is no way to get here unless she swam upstream, or without going through the goblin-held Moonhaven. It seems she died not long ago, as the pool of her blood was still slightly warm. I dropped to my knees aside her, and prayed a solemn prayer of Last Rites for Arka, so Kelemvor could see her to the afterlife.

"Wyll. There is nothing we can do for her now. I have bestowed Arka's Last Rites and Kelemvor will see to her now. I do not know if she threw herself into a suicide fit and decided to kill every goblin she saw to avenge her brothers death, or she just could not cope with his loss, and decided to end it all.

To think that all she had left of him was this hand-cut handkerchief as fond memories. It is truly the little things, at times like this, that gives us the most comfort when we lose loved ones. We'd best go back and check out that water well." I said with a heavy, saddened heart.

Wyll didn't say anything in response. We went back the same way, this time back up the muddy hill and once again to the water well.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 11

I decided we needed some more provisions before we were going to attempt to look around down there, so we used the Ancient Rune Circle to teleport back to the Druid Grove. Going through the gate, we made our way down to where that sweet elderly human lady was.

"Well hello petal! Do you need anything? Any lotions or potions?" She cheerfully said.

"Yes, m'lady. Please show me your wares." I asked.

"Nae bother." She replied.

Perusing her wares I picked up some healing potions, a couple more invisibility potions, and a couple vials of antitoxin, just in case, and two Potions of Hill Giant Strength. I can cure any poison, but sadly, I can only do it three times a day. Giving her the required gold, she smiled sweetly to me. "Take care now sweetie."

Going back up through the Hollows, I visited Arron. "Need anything else?"

"Yes, please show me your wares, Sir." I replied.

"Of course. But please, remember. You're not the only one in need."
He reminded me.

Looking over his wares I purchased fire and poison arrows, two thunderous arrows and some torches, while handing over the coin he looked up from the coins and spoke again.
"May Silvanas guide your path."

Using the Ancient Rune Circle outside the Druid Grove, we returned to Moonhaven and I asked Wyll to follow me to the water well. The well looked like it went a good ways down, and a fall like that would be yet another bad end. I decided to use the wooden double doors I unlocked previously to try to see if there was another way into the caverns. Going through them and down the staircase, I looked around for a bit, then sensing a breeze across my cheek, I looked over to my left and then up. There was an open area that looked like it was just what I wanted.

"Wyll, grab a crate and follow me." I asked. I too grabbed a crate and stacked it atop the one already by the bottom of the ledge. With Wyll's crate too, I was able to get close enough that I could jump up onto the ledge. Once there, I asked Wyll to come up too. I took a few moments to look around, and decided it definitely looked as if this way was a safer way than before.

He and I both crept along the stone path, doing our best to not garner any attention. This cavern seemed to be quite expansive, as we made our way I could see an Ettercap wobbling along, and could her the skittering of spider legs. I crouched behind a rock-shielded embankment and motioned Wyll to come closer, as I whispered to him to crouch down.

"So, Blade, ever been to the Underdark?" I asked him curiously, not want to stomp on his pride. "Can't say I have. What should I know?" He asked genuinely.

"Ettercaps and probably Phase Spiders down here, judging from the caverns' refracted noise echo's." I looked at him in a deadly serious way, hopefully conveying the notion I needed him to be especially attentive to my words.

"Ettercaps have a bad habit of exploding when they die and what comes out are vile parasites that will corrode whatever they touch. Do not be near them when they die. Phase Spiders do just that, they can move very quickly from one place to another, almost like they are jumping in and out of view between points, I say this assuming you didn't know what 'phasing' meant, kinda like a mages point-to-point teleporting, so do not think you will be far away from them for long without some clever thinking on your feet."

"Basically we need to either evade them, or kill them at a distance, especially the ettercaps. Oh, and the phase spiders can spit and bleed poison, another nasty thing, just so you know." I elaborated on all the dangers we could probably face here from the sounds I recognized so Wyll knew what he might be in for.

"You sure know your stuff." He said with an honest smile.

"When you grow up in the Underdark, you best know your environment's dangers and its denizens and any weakness and strengths they have, lest you become something far worse than an ettercap or phase spider's meal." I replied.

"Like what?" He asked curiously.

I sighed softly. "Like frozen for all eternity as a stone statue by a beholder or spectator, or becoming an undead, but that is just the best case 'kinda worse'."

"Well, what is the absolute worst?" He further asked.

"Seriously Wyll? Fine I will tell you, but do not say I didn't warn you." Smiling wickedly.

"How about being found by one of my kin, whom worship my Goddess' Mother,
Drow whom serve The Spider Queen Lolth? And if a male finds you, he will bring you back to his female mistress. There in pitch black, you will be strapped and tortured at her pleasure, which means often, being every day and night."

"Then at the brink, as you feel the release of death become imminent, you will be healed just enough, then tortured again and again, for the mere pleasure of your suffering and hearing you scream, cry and beg for release."

"This process will repeat until the Lolthian female tires of you - and that usually isn't for a long while, especially if she has no other toys to play with, and then she will look to acquire new amusement."

"Thus, you will then be tortured one more time, gutted, and allowed to die slowly while bound and chained, as your entrails drip from your belly into a convenient collection trough to feed the spiders and other ilk under Lolth's purview. This procedure is deemed to not only honor Lolth, but is considered an efficient way to feed her non-Drow denizens. So... Does that sound like the 'absolute worst' enough for you?" I retorted with a smile.

"Ah. I see..." Wyll said with a bit of terror in his facial expression.

Looking around and seeing nothing but stone platform-like rises connected by thick spiderweb paths, I reasoned that we would need to basically make this rock-shielded area our first base, as it was too high to jump down from and walking on the webbing will take away our element of surprise. There was a lone Ettercap, wobbling back and forth across an area to our West. There was also what looked like a spider egg-sack at the right corner at the end of the ledge.

With my Darkvision I could see it easily, and that it was the closest threat to us, as the others seemed farther away judging from the two sets of skittering and another pair of unbalanced foot falls I could make out from the number of echo's in the cavern.

Getting into position and readying my poison-tipped arrows, I tapped Wyll and pointed at the ettercap that stopped and bent over, apparently looking at something in front of it on the ground. I was not sure if Wyll could even see it but if he could it would be good experience for him. Taking aim, and holding my breath, I fired the poison arrow at the ettercap. The arrow pierced it's torso in the side and it instantly stood up reeling in pain.

I didn't want it making too much noise so I fired once again, hitting it in the neck with a second poison arrow. Faint gurgling sounds could be heard as it scratched and clawed at its neck, It then fell face-first onto the stone ground. Not a few seconds later, its torso burst open as it exploded a cloud of parasites that covered the spider egg-sack, turning the white webbing green and black, corroding it and killing all within.

I looked over at him and asked. "Did you see that?" Wyll smiled as if he was going to congratulate me on my kill and seeing what I wanted him to see, but then his smile dropped and said: "Nah, couldn't see a thing." I guess he was going to play it off but then decided that we are in real danger here, and now wasn't the time.

"At least you spoke honestly." I said. "This is a no kidding treacherous place. We are lucky we are not in the Underdark proper, as that is where the real peril lies, especially those without Darkvision."

Looking about, the imminent danger was put down but there were at least three more things to worry about and two of them were very quick and dangerous. I took three torches from my pack and lit them, throwing one on the next closest rocky platform, the second to our left where the other webbing descended onto another rocky platform, and the third I held for a moment.

Looking at Wyll I told him to get ready, and he nodded. I then faced forward, peeking over the rock-shielded area, and tossed the last torch down onto the ground below so that the area was illuminated to some degree.

The last torch seemed to catch the attention of one of the skitterers as it had come over to the torch to investigate. Poison was going to do nothing to these creatures so I readied my fire arrows and set them alight. I figured fire arrows would be the best choice, as not only will they cause the target to burn but if they stay embedded in it, it will also give Wyll a lit target to focus on in the dark.

Taking aim at center mass, I fired. The phase spider screeched in pain as the arrow pierced its backside. With a lit target I motioned to Wyll.

He pointed at the target and a pink glow began to envelop it.
"Dodah!" He said, his arms motioning forward from a bent position, firing off his Eldritch Blast at the phase spider, and knocking it back a few feet. I fired again at the spider as we continued to pound it with blasts and fire arrows. It finally fell upon the cold stone floor in a heap of its own poisonous blood.

The scent of fresh prey was exactly the bait I wanted from the dead phase spider to draw out the other two dangers we would face. The scent of an easy meal would be like moths to a flame for the other phase spider and ettercap.

No sooner did the corpse begin to waft the scent of a free meal did the other two find there way following it. "This is going to be great bait, and with a little luck, two birds with one meal." I said to Wyll.

"Look! There they are." Wyll exclaimed in an excited whisper. "Shh!" I said.

"Are we going to start shooting?" He asked.

"No you fool! Why would we do that." I said with a bit of irritation.

"Look. Those two creatures are not chummy buddies. When they notice the other, the second part of my plan will spark - violently - into motion." I explained.

We both peeked over the stone-shielded embankment to where the fire arrows were still alight in the spider's corpse, giving Wyll a good view of the situation. As soon as the ettercap saw the phase spider attempting to take its free meal it began to wail in anger, throwing itself into a rage and charging the phase spider.

The phase spider looked up and saw the ettercap charging and phased out of sight, giving Wyll now a demonstration of how this beast's movement functions. The ettercap then stopped charging, noticing the phase spider had left, it began digging its disease riddled claws into the slowly rotting flesh, beginning to feast.

As soon as the phase spider was content that the ettercap was too busy to notice its surroundings it phased back, quickly taking the ettercap's neck between its facial pincers and in one stroke beheaded it. Once again this was a good demonstration for Wyll to be wary of in case we encountered more of these creatures down here, or worse things.

The instant the ettercap was beheaded its torso exploded, just as the other's did, with its corrosive parasites discharged all over the phase spiders face and backside. The phase spider screeched and flailed in agony, as its eyes dissolving in their sockets and the pincers fell from its face.

It began phasing all over the place in distress and confusion. It was now completely blind and in the throes of trauma. We tried to follow where it went as it phased back and forth, until finally to our fortune, it phased over a cliffside, and an audible 'crunch' sound could be heard.

Estimating that the phase spider was probably too injured to move or maybe even dead, we rose from our cover position and made our way across the web bridges, getting stuck every now and then until we were able to get to a spot where we could climb down. Once on the ground floor, we began exploring a bit, finding an area that looked once inhabited with a table and a bed, cookware, books and even torches all around that kept the area well lit, despite the denizens here.

Looking around in the abandoned living area, Wyll spoke up and looked at me.

"So, I just wanted to say, I think that was a really clever plan you came up with. It reminds me of the battle at the Druid Grove Gate when you spilled all that goblin blood, that I complemented you on before. You are definitely worthy to share in The Blade's glory." He said as he looked at me, with a bit of an overly proud face.

"Oh yea?" I could read his facial expression and his demeanor. "Well, you did pretty well too, taking my cues and improvising when it became available, so thanks!" I then put my left hand on my hip, looking over at him, bending over deep enough to give him a few seconds view of generous dark cleavage with my tongue sticking out between my lips teasingly.

Wyll's eyes got big for a few seconds, a tinge of blush across his cheeks as he cleared his throat and turned away, immediately focusing on a painters easel. Instead of having a painting, or some other work, it showed some sort of schematic, he guessed.

Sated, while having my fun with him, giving him a small reward, I decided to go look over at what was so important that he immediately focused on it after his embarrassed turn.

"Oh, what's that?" I asked, cheerfully. "I dunno. Looks like some kinda weird schematic, but it only has one word on it." He replied. I looked at it curiously and recognized the word instantly 'Transcendence'. Deciding that this clue could be trouble, I decided to investigate this area further, digging into the books here, as a couple of them were journals it seemed.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 12

Beginning my investigation of this Ritual Diagram with the single word upon it, I picked up what appeared to be a journal of some kind. The book had been written in blood script with parts of its bloody wording smeared over to make a background for new script of a different type.

Reading it, It speaks of a high elf by the name of 'Eliette' and that she regrets her time on the surface, as she was seemingly captured. "Twas most likely a lolthian drow raiding party to collect new slaves or something similar," I reasoned. She seemed to believe that she was exalted by the Spider Queen, and that she was given Her favor, so much so, as even being able to portend the downfall of the minor houses' drow that took her captive.

It was very curious, considering my over 200 years of life, I have never heard of Lolth giving favor to anything other than a drow, which peaked my curiosity immensely. Apparently that was all of note in that journal, so I picked up another book that was laying on the web-laden desk just to the right of the bedroll.

This one had intricate sketches of spider diagrams and spell runes and there are captions written in some kind of glyph or code. Looking further down I saw what looked to be poorly written Common, as if the writer was having trouble even making the strokes to scribe. Perhaps Eliette was under some sort of pain or distress? I kept reading further, she seems to be talking about the spiders in this cavern. She... seems to believe they can sense her devotion to Lolth, by skittering about in the shadows.

"Curious way to believe. Mayhap she was beginning to feel the onset of madness, but how could she? These runes and diagrams are very well made, and i'm surprised she even knew about them unless Lolth whispered this knowledge to her, or some other way?" I thought.

Looking over my shoulder, Wyll was over on the other side looking around. I kinda figured he didn't know what he was looking for, and it couldn't really be helped, this isn't exactly his field of expertise plus he isn't very old either, so it is unlikely he could have picked it up somewhere else, at least about this particular subject matter. Continuing my read, she apparently awoke to a gift wrapped in spidersilk, from what she believes, it was taken from a 'heretic's corpse' and delivered as a reward for her devoted faith, by 'Her daughters'.

It seems this high elf was really not crazy at all, or at least sane enough to continue on gaining favor from Lolth. This last entry, speaks about a very intriguing gift. It seems the corpse of an arachnomancer was delivered to her, the facial runes which allowed them to 'transcend' from a humanoid body to that of a spider at will... and... she... "Ugh..." I thought. Carved the runes exactly into her own flesh to mimic them. "Well, this explains the Ritual Diagram." I thought to myself.

"Wyll." I again looked over into his direction and then faced him. He walked over near to where I was standing to listen. "It seems a high elven female once named Eliette was taken captive from the surface and she was, from what I can gather, extremely devoted to Lolth's faith. She received 'gifts' from Lolth for her extreme devotion and was delivered the runes of an arachnomancer to induce her 'Transcendence' as you will recall the word on the Ritual Diagram you called a schematic. She did this to gain the power to change her mortal humanoid form into that of a spider to mimic the Spider Queen's, and in this form, she apparently found extacy. Because from what she believed, she found the House of Lolth, and became it's matriarch." I explained to him.

"Huh. Sounds like a weird one. Who would ever want that, and for that matter, does that happen often?" He asked curiously.

"Wyll, you may not know this about drow / elves in general, but we have a good 750 year lifespan, more if prolonged by magic. I am over 200 - Just barely an adult in fae standards, but I have been very diligent in my Goddess' grace and learned all I can of her mothers' teachings, lolthian drow methods, and the surface world's inhabitants and history. I have never heard of the Spider Queen giving favor to a non-drow. But there is a first for everything. Arachnomancers are the only ones whom typically attempt this kind of shapechange, and they are usually masters, or near that, of their magecraft to even be able to attempt the ritual." I explained to him, looking a little concerned.

"She didn't seem as such, which means its unprecedented." I emphasized.

I decided to look around a bit more, and upon opening a nearby chest, I noticed a pair of boots. "I wonder if these are the first 'gift boots' she mentioned?" I thought as I began taking off my leather ones and replacing them with the spidersilk boots. I had to admit they were a lot more comfy than the well-worn leather ones.

We decided that there was nothing else to be gleaned from this abandoned area and decided to investigate the tunnels a bit more. There were a couple spider webbed backpacks laying about, skeletons covered in webbing and even some hanging from some areas completely encased in it. The were two skeletons close to each other which peaked my interest. One had a backpack aside it so I decided to rummage. I found a bottle of alchemists fire and an old journal.

It seems the journal's owner was an apprentice to a wizard of Thay, by the wording, upset that he was forced to leave his homeland because of his master and was bound to him by some sort of spell oath. Reading on, I noted that it seems his master stole an important book of necromancy from the Thayvian Zulkors and they wanted it back. He also apparently was being pursued by Shar's Dark Justicars, which is strange, as Shar and Thay typically have nothing in common or to do with each other. "Perhaps they were hired as mercenaries?" I mused.

Flipping through some more pages it seems that his spell oath will be dissolved as soon as his master dies, and likely this, from a heavily-bleeding wound his Master received from the Dark Justicars, when they caught up to them. He wishes to return the book as he is under the impression that the Thayvian Zulkors believe he is loyal. Looking back over at the two skeletal corpses, I smiled.

"Seems neither of them got away." I thought, as I looked back at the journal again, flipping through a few more pages. "Huh." Something about a keygem hidden in these tunnels and mention of a cellar?

"Interesting read?" Wyll questioned in a curious tone.

"Maybe. Depends on what else we can find down here." I answered with a smile.

"Alright then. Let's keep looking around." He said, smiling back. "Oh and uh... just so you know, I can see in the dark now." He admitted.

"Seriously? How is that? humans usually can't do that, unless your a half elf or half drow, or a wizard or..." I held my tongue for a moment. "Ah. This is starting to add up." I thought to myself. "Okay! I blurted out happily. I am glad you can, so we won't need these torches for lighting up a space, right? I smiled to him, knowingly. "Ah. Yea. Probably not." He replied.

While I knew this was a useful thing, I appreciated him at least telling me this now before we get into any more dangerous situations. "So, how far can you see?" I asked. I needed to gauge his sight capabilities. He will be a liability if I do not know what he can do, at least - what he is willing to speak upon. "I think like I can see that torch light way off over there." "Way off over there?" I thought. I guess something is better than nothing, but I need to be sure. At least I don't need to spend extra money on torches now." I thought.

I decided to verify his supposed 'Darkvision' sight. "Wyll, do me a favor, I'm going to test your Darkvision. I need to do this for our survivability, it isn't to mock or make you feel bad. I need to know exactly how far you can see in the dark. You realize why I am doing this, yes? We have already seen how 'not seeing' in the dark can be a terrible disadvantage, and how 'seeing' can make all the difference." Looking at him seriously.

"Alright. Let's do this." He said enthusiastically.

I walked with him to a certain point. One that was on the ground level and not covered in webbing, basically a safe spot for him to view from. I told Wyll to wait here, and that I would move to a certain distance to see if he could see me from that place. I yelled out if he could see me and to be honest if he could. He said that he couldn't see me. "I expected that. Mostly no one, save for a Drow, can see this far away in the dark. I'm going to slowly move forward, step-by-step, and I want you to tell me when you can see me." I asked of him from the darkness. "Got it." He replied.

I decided to test this, because our literal lives depended on it, since we weren't going to use torch light anymore, except on rare occasions to invoke interest from an enemy. I decided to give him the ultimate test. I stopped my steps for a few moments and was quiet.

"You must be pretty far back there. It's kinda scary you Drow can see that far away in the dark." He said with a bit of uneasiness. I began my steps again after that short pause.

I saw Wylls' initial smile as he spoke. "Yea, I can see youoo-woah!" Wyll immediately arched his back, as his arms went out and up, bent at the elbow. "Haah! God's woman, really!?" He said in an excited, flabbergasted tone.

After a few moments of initial shock and blush running wild over his cheeks, he immediately turned away as I had bestowed upon him a 'Full Frontal' topless view.

"Ah. Lovely. It seems I got my true answer." I said with a naughty smirk. I composed myself and addressed him. "Glad to know you can see me this far away, Wyll." I teased.
"Damn you drow. Are all your females like this?" He said sounding perplexed.

"Yes, and no." I replied. "I like to use these moments to deepen our sync. But I do it appropriately. The drow of lolthian faith will do it to tempt you, then seduce and use you, and then depending on their whim that moment, make you either one of their many weapons, a puppet, or their torturous plaything. I care not for any of those things, for they are not the way of the Goddess Eilistraee.

Taking a few moments, I re-garbed myself slowly, and walked back to Wyll. "So now that I have verified your range of Darkvision sight, it will be easier to gauge how we can proceed... Mhm. In the dark." I smirked. "You..." Wyll just looked at me with slight impatience. "Always with the snark."

[War Maiden]

Chapter 13

We began to make our way deeper into the expansive cavern and noted a split in the road, one covered in a lot of webbing, as if to obscure the view and dissuade anything from going that way, and another that was clear, save for the few puddles of poisonous spider blood. I decided the cobwebbed way was much more appealing to my curiosity, so I lit one of the torches we recovered and burned away the webbing, revealing a short path.

We moved forward onto that path and noted it dropped off a little ways up ahead. I decided to crouch down into a sneaking position and Wyll followed suit. "Something catch your eye?" He asked. "Maybe. I hear skittering." I told him.

Moving to the edge there were two more Phase Spiders moving about and something with much heavier steps, but they sounded farther off into the distance. I chose to worry about the closer threat at the time. "Stay here, i'll go and scout about." I asked of him. "Got it." He replied.

Looking at the rock-face just below, it seemed I could climb my way down with relative ease. I had hoped this would not be another time where Wyll would have to climb up or down in a hurry again, as it did not go so well the time before last. Looking about, I could see both of the phase spiders on the ground level below, as well as a group of phase spider egg sacks. "Little ones are even more troublesome than bigger ones if they swarm you so it would be smart to take them out first." I reasoned to myself.

Climbing down the rock-face to the ground level below, I crept as quietly as I could as it seemed these 'gift' boots were made for sneaking and I didn't find myself getting stuck while stepping on webbing now, which is a big plus. After a few moments I reached the pile of spider egg sacks and stopped. "Fire would be faster, but it would possibly draw the phase spider's attention as before. Hmph. Guess it's the old fashioned way." I thought as I pulled out my dagger, and coated it with drow poison. Quietly, I stabbed into each egg sack one at a time, paralyzing the baby phase spider within, and stabbing it a few more times to be sure they was dead. After finishing off each egg sack, I slowly crept back to the rock-face and climbed back up to the next higher level.

"Now, I just need to figure how to draw the phase spiders out one by one so we don't get overwhelmed and alert them both." I contemplated this as I sat there in the darkness. "Bait might work, just like last time, assuming I can get them one at a time."

I looked up to the top of the rock wall to see Wyll there looking back over it at me. "Wyll, I need you to grab one of those ettercap corpses and toss it down here to me." I said. "But, what about those parasites you mentioned? He asked nervously. "They are long gone as they only reside in the body when they are alive, and when dead or dying, they burst out. It is like a defense mechanism, just a poor one because by that time they are already going to die." I explained to him. "Oh, good. Alright, be right back." He said, with some relief in his voice.

A few minutes later he came back to the edge, as I could hear him dragging the corpse.
"Look out below." He warned as he tossed it over the side as it impacted the ground with a disgusting splat... "Haaah." I exhaled. "No delicacy at all." I thought to myself as I was hoping the noise didn't alert the roaming phase spiders.

Not ten seconds after I finished that thought to myself, did I hear two sets of skittering reverberate off the cavern walls, and then saw them! I climbed as fast as I could up the next rock wall to Wyll. "Move, now!" I said. "What happened?" He questioned. "Move your ass!" I said, as I started running, with him a few steps behind.

We climbed up the next rock wall to the place we were at before. It seems only one of the phase spiders followed us as most likely the other decided that the one chasing us could have us as a meal and it would stay behind with one that took no effort to partake in.

Wyll and I were huffing and puffing from the running, as I heard skitter sounds resonating I covered mine and Wyll's mouth to muffle our sounds. Now it was prowling, looking for us as the skitters turned into short-timed taps. After we regained our composure, I removed my hands from our mouths and peeked over the stone-shielded area. Looking down, my eyes were met by eight others below me. "Wyll! Look out!" I yelled as he turned about sharply. No sooner did we get to out feet, did the phase spider phase up to where we were a few feet away from us, on Wyll's side.

It screeched at us as its facial pincers clacked together repeatedly attempting to intimidate us.

"Don't let it grab you! Remember what happened to the ettercap!" I reminded him quickly. Immediately Wyll pointed at the phase spider and it began to glow that pink glow again. "Dodah!" He cried out as he fired off an Eldritch Blast that knocked the phase spider off the ledge and onto the ground floor below with a wet crunch sound, prone on it's belly. Quickly taking the initiative, I readied my fire arrows on my light crossbow and fired a few of them into the prone spiders' face, setting it aflame. It began screeching in anger as it's eyes began to melt. "Wyll! Hit it again!" I told him. "Dodah!" He fired a couple more at it, knocking it back twice until fell over the side where we came up from earlier.

Something sounded odd though, as it fell, and then I remembered. The other phase spider was there eating the dead ettercap down there. No sooner did I think it, did my deduction become a reality with another screech as the other phase spider phased up close to where Wyll dropped the other one from our elevated position. It then phased up to the other platform just to the right and down from where I was standing. "Oh fun." I said sarcastically. "Get ready!" I said excitedly to Wyll.

Wyll moved quickly to where I was and fired off another Eldritch Blast, knocking it off the flat stone platform and onto the ground floor, as this one only fell half as far as the first one. After a few seconds prone it recovered, and phased back up to us, but this time on the other side where Wyll had first been. The spider again screeched at us, as it began to walk toward us, facial pincers clacking. Wyll was trying to take a shot, but I was right in front of his line of fire, frustrating him.

I tugged at my belt and pulled off an alchemists fire, tossing it at the phase spider's head. The firebomb exploded the instant it broke upon the spider and came into contact with air setting the spider aflame. A second after that, I squatted down giving Wyll his opportunity as the spider was burning and disoriented. "Dodah!" He fired, sending the phase spider over the side, as the other had, with the same wet crunch as before, except this time there were no sounds coming from it as it remained there, silent and smoldering.

"Nice work." I smiled to Wyll, and patted him on the shoulder.
"I was frustrated at first, because you were in my line of fire. But then I figured she's doin' this on purpose. So I just made ready for whatever you were gonna do." He explained with a smile.

"Wonderful. You're taking my cues better. I like that. A team that cannot interpret their other members cues, is no team at all." I told him with a reassuring smile. "Thanks." He said in return.

"Alright, now that we went that one way, let's try the cleared one this time." I said, as we began to make our way down the rock wall and began down that path. "Oh, and mind the poison blood puddles on the ground." I reminded Wyll.

[War Maiden]

Chapter 14

About halfway down the clear path I felt fatigue begin to ensue, as I had not eaten and all the fighting we had done recently just wore me out. I stopped my steps and looked back at Wyll. "Perhaps we should go back to camp. It is getting late and i'm getting tired, and I figure you are as well." He looked at me and smiled. "Sure, sounds like a good idea to me, we can come back here another time now that we have a better way in." He replied happily.

We made our way back along the paths and to the Arcane Rune Circle in Moonhaven. Using that, we appeared at the one by the gate to the Druid Grove and then back to camp. We were both tired as we returned to camp, Wyll didn't speak much, as he was probably more tired than he was letting on.

I did kinda give him a crash course in a place that gave a very real taste of the Underdark, as most surfacers do not tend to live long within it. I could understand why he was being more obedient than his normal outspoken self, as the Underdark, or places akin to it, hold very real dangers especially for those whom cannot see in the dark, and now that he can, I imagine he will not be so hesitant to be more proactive.

Wyll said he was going to take an early night, as he had finished his second cup of wine.
I told him that it was fine, and that I was off to do my nightly ritual. When the ritual was complete and I came back to the campfire, Wyll was already fast asleep in his tent, as I could hear the snoring from the outside, which made me smile a bit. Sitting on my own bedroll I crossed my legs and began my trance, quietly thinking of a lovely silver chalice, adorned with gems and inscriptions written by the Dark Maiden, filled with moonlight.

The next day we headed back to Moonhaven, and went along the other dirt path to explore more of the near-abandoned town, and possibly find information on where the goblins might be keeping Halsin. We heard a bit of shouting, and there seemed to be many voices, but they were jovial in nature, so I was curious as to what was going on.

We turned and went up the steps to where a bunch of goblins were pointing and clapping, some jumping up and down in glee. They seemingly were ridiculing what looked to be a deep gnome whose arms and body were tied to one point on a slowly spinning windmill.

"Odd." I thought, "Who does that? ...and why is that funny?"

"H-Hey! Up here! Lemme down!" He cried out to us as he saw our approach.
A large goblin, with unusually large hands, whom looked to be the leader of them yelled out to the deep gnome. "Keep chirpin', birdie - it's music to my..."

Then, as soon as we made it up to the top of the stairs, the boss goblin turned his head and spoke, looking directly at Wyll. "...well i'll be - me 'ol friend, captain failure." A small amount of sadistic surprise in his voice. Wyll looked over at him as he spoke and instantly began to seethe. "You! Sing for me roach. Tell me everything you know."

"Heh. I know you ain't seein' much out that eye-pebble of yours. An' there's an army of us an' just a couples o' you, so ain't you the one gonna be askin' questions." The boss goblin spoke in a tone of bravado.

As the goblin boss finished his words I could feel Wyll's parasite resonate with my own. I could sense his paralyzing rage, and a ravenous hunger for answers.