Chronicles of Faerun: Prelude to the Prelude

It was the middle of Uktar (November) – the 16th to be precise. My company and I were taking the journey easy. We were making some cash along the way – you know, clearing out bandits and doing odd bodyguard jobs here and there. After an invigorating sea passage from Uthmere, in The Great Dale, to Ilmwatch, in Impiltur (across the Easting Reach of the Sea of Fallen Stars) we’d headed out further north along the road to Damara. At least the sea passage invigorated me – Hans and Franka didn’t much care for it – they both turned green and couldn’t eat! Oh well, more food for Lina!!!

We’d crossed the Great Imphras River and were making for Trail’s End. Franka was kinda worrying me. He’d taken to talking to himself a lot (muttering under his breath and such). He always told me he was talking to that silly amulet I’d given him back in Hillsfar, but I figured he was just venting stuff – stuff he couldn’t vent as a Paladin. See, that’s an advantage of just venting on the spot – you don’t get it all bottled up inside. At least he was remaining himself. If he’d changed a bit and if that amulet radiated strong magic I might have thought it was sentient, or cursed, or both – but it had practically no aura, so I let him keep his toy and play with it if he wanted.

Cazz was still getting more attention from barmaids than I liked (oh well, his choice, he can start paying the child support later), but he was proving to be invaluable – if just to relieve my boredom with someone intelligent to talk to. He and I discussed everything from politics to religion to history (and how we managed to not kill each other I’ll never know). I was also learning a bit about sword fighting from both him and Franka. Cazz was learning tips on sorcery from me.

Hans seemed quiet, but I still let him give me his mace and went ahead and worked out with it. He and Franka were still obsessed with getting me strong, physically. They just didn’t seem to understand my strength is in my magic. I made sure he kept plenty of healing potions and had a healer’s kit and such. Everyone in this group (except me, most of the time!) always ended up with nicks, cuts and bruises after a battle.

Anyway, we were heading north, and at this point were close to the Rawlinswood. We’d been told a solitary Inn (Sign of the Purple Treant!!!) stood at the end of this day’s travel. We were walking along, Cazz and I in front and discussing the relative nature’s of Mystra’s last two incarnations, Hans and Franka behind with rocks in their hands doing their exercise, when the unwashed decided they had to make an appearance. Oh!!! I LOVE unexpected battles against bandits!!!

The guy who came out of the woods was BIG. Obviously a half-orc! The axe on his back was roughly the same height as he. I could sense we were surrounded – not good! If these guys had bows and were decent shots, it’d be rough on Cazz and the others – I had a scroll I could pop up and not sweat it, but it only worked for one. The leader looked at me. Funny how everyone just instinctively knows I’m the leader of this party!

“Youse guys knows the routine – hand over the stuff and the girl, then youse guys can move along and no one gets hurt – except her.” He laughed evilly.

What the heck!?! The guy was addressing the others – he was looking at me for… other purposes. Good thing I know none of my guys would ever just abandon me!

CHING!

Cazz had thrown his purse at the guy’s feet.

“Take her, and that’s what I’ve got. See ya around later, Lina!” He gave me a wink and started to walk forward past the half-orc. Okay, even if he’s just joking or has a plan he’s DEAD!!! I needed a plan, and fast! I knew Hans and Franka were waiting for commands, but what could I do? The bandits stood up on the west (left) side of us, holding nocked arrows and short bows. There were five of them. That meant at least five more on the right, and – yep – as I glanced over my shoulder, five behind. ALL had bows and nocked arrows. SHIT!!! I can survive, but I’d be killing Franka!!! Oh, and Hans as well! GRRRR!!! It’s times like these I wonder why I haven’t summoned a familiar yet – it could help me out greatly! What do I do?

“HII YAA! Chi Roon Tao!!!”

What the hell?? The voice suddenly shouted out from behind us and I watched a bandit get sliced in half by some weird polearm! A very short girl with black hair and strange features spun the staff in her hand, then leapt sideways and sliced another bandit. Okay!!! An ally!!! Now’s my chance, since one of the groups is already busy!!!

“Franka, the half orc!!! Cazz help him!!! Hans the woods on the right!!! I’ve got the left side!!!” Everybody sprang into action.

Franka charged forward with his sword just as Cazz deftly whipped out his mace and smashed the half-orc in the knee (the idiot had really believed Cazz was surrendering!). Hans ran forward toward the woods, casting his now normal spell as he ran.

“STATUS!” It told him when any of us were injured and in need of his healing. I turned and raised my hands, making a fan shape, then ran towards the archers on the left. I had to be close for this to work!

Twang!! Multiple Twangs as the archers released their arrows. I took one, right in the shoulder! OOWWW!!! I could hear clinks as others bounced off Hans’ armor, and probably Franka’s as well. There were more strange cries from the south, as that girl fought that element. There was a loud roar behind me from the half orc. I’d closed to range on the archers in front of me – now if I could keep my concentration!

“BURNING HANDS!” I DID keep my concentration! They were all grouped together so nicely, all but one went up in flames! The one who wasn’t burning dropped his bow and drew a short sword. I took a quick glance over my shoulder as I started chanting my next spell.

Franka was locked in battle with the half orc – who was at least as strong as he was. Great axe was clanging with long sword and shield. Cazz was on the ground, an arrow in his back, but was staggering up with his mace in his hand. Hans had a shield full of arrows, but was among the baddies and using his wrecking ball again. The girl was running, (SIDEWAYS!!!) and swinging around from apparently nothing, using that polearm to slice, cut and impale them. My main priority right now was to protect myself, then help out Franka! I whipped my head around just as the guy swung, and just as I finished my spell.

“Bulwark of Reality!”

I was amazed it went off, because the guy hit – a deep slash right across my stomach! I grabbed my stomach to keep everything inside and glared at him. Got to help Franka!!! I have to save him! I started my next spell.

The guy took a swing – this one missed!

“SCORCHING RAY!” The power surge I normally feel was a LOT bigger this time – was I just pissed off that much?

The Ray slammed the half orc, and almost singed Cazz, who had enough sense at the last moment to quickly change his position. The half orc looked like he was in trouble, so I whirled back around to MY opponent, and began yet another spell. I suddenly heard footsteps rapidly approaching me! Oh hell!!! I’m having enough trouble right now as it is! Oh well! I can beat anyone!

The bandit swung and nicked me in the leg – I’d have laughed if I didn’t have an arrow in my shoulder and hadn’t been holding my guts in place with one hand – but this one hurt! I fell to one knee, and used a spell I hadn’t cast for a few months (MAN, is my power of concentration awesome or what!!!).

“MAGIC MISSILE!”

The pink bolt shot forward, right between the guy’s eyes. He dropped, already singed a bit from my earlier spell. Now I turned to face my NEW opponent, who was…

“Hans!!!”

Her quickly looked at me and cast a spell.

“CURE LIGHT WOUNDS!”

The arrow in my shoulder popped out, and everything closed except a shallow cut on my abdomen.

“Thanks! Go help Franka! I’ll take care of the rest!”

“I figured you would, Lina, we just got taken off guard, that’s all.” He winked and smiled, then charged the half orc.

“SHIELD!”

A quick glance showed me the girl was handling herself for now, but three of the woods bandits (Hans’ original targets) were headed her way. That would make six opponents all in one small area. I whipped a scroll out.

“HEY YOU!!! GET OUTTA THERE NOW!!!”

She looked at me for a second, then I saw something shoot from her belt and attach to the single tree near me, as she started swinging (HUH?!?) through the air toward me, I completed reading the scroll. Once again I felt the power surge and she looked shocked as my whole body took on a visible golden aura.

“FIREBALL!!!”

The scroll disintegrated in my hands. The bandits vaporized at the end of the golden trail the fireball left in its wake. WOW! That one was more powerful than the special one I used back in the Dales! There’s a crater in the ground! Must be because I’m so pissed off!

The girl landed gracefully next to me and I saw something retract into her belt. I turned to check out how the others were doing.

The fireball had evidently impressed EVERYONE. The big fight going on between the half orc and my friends had basically stopped and everyone was looking at me. The one archer remaining from the eastern force had his jaw hanging open and his eyes as wide as saucers!

CRAP!!! NOW I remember why that one was so powerful! That was the scroll I found in Myth Drannor, with the book! DAMN! PAY MORE ATTENTION, LINA!!! I had planned on saving that one for a special occasion – oh well, at least it was flashy!

I assumed my pose and tossed my hair over my shoulder.

“Okay bandits! You know the routine! Surrender and I just MIGHT let you live!”

There were a couple of loud thunks as the great axe and weapons hit the ground.

“Please donts kills us!” This was from the half orc. “Wese was just doings our job!”

“Well, that depends on where your loot is and how much there is of it! After all, it has to be enough to overcome my natural sense of enjoyment at frying bandits like you!” The others were used to this side of me, but evidently the strange girl was not.

“Taking something that does not belong to you is dishonorable.” She had a strange accent and foreign features, but at least she was shorter than me! Even if she does actually have a lot of cleavage. “These men should be turned over to the authorities, along with all of the property they have stolen, which can then be returned to its rightful owners.”

Cazz and I looked at each other, then at her.

“You have GOT to be kidding me, miss…?”

“Chang. Chang Xiu from Kara-Tur. And no, I was not kidding. Your honor would be stained by robbing from robbers.”

“Well, I guess I needn’t worry then, Chang – it’s all black by now if that’s how ya feel. See, that’s how adventurers make their living, ‘cus just beating up these guys won’t feed me tonight. Are you trying to say that in exploring a ruin you’re supposed to try and find the rightful owners of all the old items? Or that when you wipe out an orc tribe you gotta try and return every item found to the destroyed villages? Sheesh, get a clue!” I turned to the half orc. “So where’s the loot, big guy? Or do I start preparing a barbeque?”

Chang stood aside as we were taken to the gang’s hideout. She followed, but seemed resigned that I was going to stain my honor – I guess she wanted to watch it turn brown or something. These guys had been moderately successful, and it sure helped fill up some depleted purses amongst my group, so I felt I’d be generous and actually let these guys go.

“Okay boys, you two can hit the road. Just be sure and remember my name – Lina Inverse! And don’t let me catch you robbing anybody again!” I figured the free advertising was another good reason to let them go.

“Miss Lina?” Chang asked, “You can’t seriously be intending on letting these robbers go free, are you?” The two guys stopped with ‘uh oh’ looks on their faces.

“Why not? I’m in a generous mood today. You can even have some of this loot, if you like, since you did help us.”

“I would never do something like that – but these two men. What if they rob the next traveler on the road, since you have deprived them of all their money and now THEY cannot eat? How will that make you feel?”

UGH! Is this girl going to question everything? I feel another headache coming on!

“Fine, I’ll just blast ‘em and that’ll end it.”

The two guys were already running down the road as fast as they possibly could.

I’m taking a lot of stock out in an aspirin factory very soon. I could make a fortune on it, since I’ve been going through the stuff like candy ever since Chang – Little Miss Honor – joined us.

That first night we all had a long talk over dinner (I think we ate the place out, between the Brothers Dim and me – Cazz had his usual one meal and Chang was broke but wouldn’t take bandit money so she ate a bowl of soup and munched on the complimentary crackers). I tried explaining to her what it meant to be an adventurer – even Franka and Hans gave it a shot (THEY don’t have a problem with looting from bandits, and Franka’s a Paladin for Mystra’s sake!). Cazz simply ate and sipped his wine with this gleeful expression on his face (when he wasn’t staring down Chang’s cleavage! Pervert!). No dice, this chick was one honor bound girl – she reminded me in some ways of my older sister, UGH!!!

Chang was right around my age, though shorter, as I said, and well, I said the second part earlier too! She was a member of a group from a monastery (where she was a temple guard), and on a Holy Quest to recover some sort of relic that had been stolen. She’d gotten separated from her group when they were attacked by a tribe of horsemen (must have been in Narfell – they don’t like outsiders in the area) and was in need of money and help to either find her companions or the relic.

I explained to her that she was welcome to stick around, but she had to follow my lead and while she was free to refuse any loot for herself, she had to let the rest of us earn our money. We ended up deciding to sleep on it, and since she didn’t have money for a room, I let her crash in mine. Why did Cazz have that strange look on his face? What a CREEP!!!

The next several days were uneventful, just traveling, getting to know her, her getting to know us (Cazz getting put down gently). Turns out she was a battle master – something along the lines of a general-in-training. She really knew her tactics when we ran through simulated fights. I decided she’d be a pretty good asset to the company, IF she could stop moralizing all the time!

We arrived at Trail’s End just about the end of the month – right when I would lose all my powers. We paid a quick visit to Heliogabalus, the capitol, so that we could all obtain our legitimate papers to participate in the “ear bounty” scheme. They didn’t cost us anything, which is good, since I found out you really didn’t need the papers – but hey, it made us truly official and seemed to please Chang a lot. Then it was off towards Bloodstone Pass – the site of an epic battle about the time I was born, and the entry into Vaasa. By the time we got there I’d be at full strength and all those with collectible ears beware!