8 Mirtul 1368

Across from Firebead’s home we find Feldepost’s Inn. Firebead wanted a copy of “The History of the Fateful Coin”, which he said should be for sale at the inn. We make our way inside.

It may be early, but people are already having a good time, and we are accosted by a couple of patrons as soon as we enter.

Aura: Eep!

Dunkin: Heh! You tell ’em, Marl.

Why such a harsh reaction? Is it because I’m an elf? I decide to confront him and find out.

Aegon: No need to get all bent out of shape. There’s plenty of bar for us all.

Marl: Hey, I take whatever shape I want! I’m sick of you freakish adventurers going out, consorting with gods know what, and dragging your trouble back into my hometown! What do you say to that?!

Aegon: I just do what I think is right. We solve a lot more trouble than we cause. Well, very nearly, anyways. Heh heh.

Marl: Oh, you think it’s funny, do you?! You mess up the local economy with your treasure, you upset the balance of nature, you flash your magic around, and because of it somebody’s son thinks it’s fun and goes out and gets himself killed! It’s a bad example and somebody ought to kick your ass for it!

Aegon: Hold on! Everyone goes their own path, and I’ll not be held accountable for what the Fates deal.

Marl: He was a good boy till your kind came through town! Filled his head with nonsense they did, and because of it he’s dead! Now why shouldn’t I take THAT out of your hide?!

Aegon: If you knew him like you think, then ask yourself if he wouldn’t have gone anyway. It’s a calling you’re born with. Nobody gives it to you.

Marl: Tain’t true! He was going to take over the farm and settle down. Maybe apprentice with Thunderhammer during the winter. He never wanted to adventure.

Dunkin: That was what you wanted, Marl! Fun’s fun, but ye’re blaming these folk fer what couldn’t be helped. That boy was a firebrand if ever there was…

Marl: No! He was settling down! He wanted… he wanted…

Dunkin: That new plow ye bought last year, he got the gold by helping clear kobolds near Ulgoth’s Beard. He wanted to make a difference, make the Realms a bit safer. Just like these folk most likely.

Marl: By Chauntea, why couldn’t he just stay home?!

Aegon: The Realms call, and you go. He sounds a fine lad taken too soon, but doing what he was meant. If you’ll suffer my company, I’ll buy a round and toast his memory with you.

Marl: ‘Twould be fitting, I suppose. To Kennair Nethalin! Rest ye well! I… I would be alone awhile…

Aura: Oh, good. That man was scary, but I’m glad we didn’t have to fight him.

Dunkin: Well, ’tis the calmest I done seen him in a week. Still, best you move along. Marl ain’t known for his steady moods.

I keep forgetting that with our equipment we look the part of adventurers now. We follow Dunkin’s advice and leave them be. It’s time for some shopping! Imoen may be upset that she’s missing this…

Aegon: Do you still have Will’s flail?

Bartender: Certainly… But to take it out of pledge you have to pay. 1000 gp plus interest for default.

Aegon: Hmm, maybe later.

He has a lot for sale: armour, weapons, spells, and several copies of the book Firebead wants. I purchase one for Firebead. They also have some nice rooms available.

I tested something here because I only just learned about it recently. In the original version of the game the prices of a vendor where affected by the Charisma of the person talking to them. In our case Emily has the highest Charisma (16), so I sent her to talk to the barkeeper. The prices remained the same as when Aegon talked to him.

The Enhanced Edition changed it so it always uses the Charisma of the person leading the party. So in order to get Emily’s Charisma bonuses on prices, I had to move her to the number 1 slot. This is a really annoying change, in my opinion, because it means you can’t just send your most charismatic character to talk to a vendor – you have to make them the party leader every time, and remember to move them back to where you want them when you are done shopping.

I take a look at the book we just purchased. No harm in reading it before we deliver it.

An interesting tale. I wonder how my coin landed when I was born. Given that I never met my mother, and that my father is now gone, it feels like Besheba called my coin correctly.

We take the opportunity to explore the inn before we go back to Firebead’s. The cook doesn’t like it when I go into the kitchen, however.

Aim high, I guess.

I go back into the bar and one of the patrons offers me a drink.

Aegon: When a lady offers me a drink, how can I refuse?

Gyllian: You are the life of the party, you are! This all reminds me of a time when Betsy and I were still… Hoo, I’m so silly – I don’t know a Betsy! Tee hee hee – Hic! Whooo…

She disappears before I can get that drink. Some of the patrons here are clearly having too much of a good time.

I meet the local “bard” who is singing a less-than-inspiring song.

In one corner of the bar I find a locksmith selling his services.

Aegon: I’d like to have a key made.

Master Locksmith: Do you have a copy of the key?

Aegon: No.

Master Locksmith: That will make it more difficult, but not impossible.

Which house is yours?

Aegon: The one behind the Burning Wizard.

Master Locksmith: I can make a key for the house, but I’ll have to make a cast of the lock… very difficult work. It will take me all day, and it will cost you 1,500 gp. Payable in advance.

Aegon: I don’t have that much coin on me.

Master Locksmith: I’m not going anywhere.

It seems that this locksmith can make a key for this specific house, but I’m not sure why he exists. He’s likely part of a quest in one of the mods I have installed.

We head upstairs to check out the rooms first-hand. They’re nice rooms, but the occupants prefer their privacy.

The other two rooms are empty, and we find a book left in one of them. It is another book of poetry.

The spine of this book is, once again, unusual. I reach in and pull out another of Camryn’s letters to Tamah.

These things are everywhere! It’s strange seeing my father mentioned again. I almost felt he was alive again, if only for a brief moment.

We head back downstairs. I sit with Emily and we start to talk.

Aegon: What are you noticing?

Emily: I’ve been noticing how you treat others and try to help everyone. You’re quite heroic. What motivates you?

Aegon: I’ve never really thought about it. I just act.

Emily: Maybe there is merit to the belief we’re built to be charitable, rather than born selfish.

I feel forced. Is that weird to say?

I feel something driving me to give the coin to the beggar, defend the innocent, fight for people’s liberty and safety against corruption.

I can’t name what it is, but it makes me happy when I go along with it. And I feel distraught if I don’t.

Aegon: It is called being a good person.

Emily: Is it? Sometimes I think it’s deeper than that.

Maybe I’m just sounding weird. I’m not frustrated by it, I just don’t understand it.

Sorry. Let’s just… continue on.

The local “bard” continues to sing.

We decide it’s time to leave, and return to Firebead’s home to deliver the book to him.

Garrick: The History of the Dead Three – he’s right, a dark tale indeed. Merely thinking of those fell deities sends shivers down my spine.

Firebead Elvenhair: Yes, it is dark, but history often is.

He also gives me a black-green scroll case.

I take a seat and read my new book. Garrick was right, this is a pretty dark tale.

Bhaal’s trickery allowed him to become the Lord of Murder. It’s interesting to know he was originally an adventurer. The monks back at the Keep would sing of his death during the Time of Troubles. He started a mortal, became a god, then died a mortal once more.

There is still one letter to deliver in Beregost. I ask Will to take us to the Temple. He tells us it is to the east, just outside the town. On our way we walk past the Thunderhammer Smithy.

Isn’t that where Braegar said he was working? It’s worth a quick detour to find out. We head inside and I see Braegar hard at work.

Braegar: Damn this iron! Buggered by all the devils in the abyss!

RANCID ELFSHIT! I SHOULD SMASH IT AGAINST THE WALL! LIKE THIS!

ARGASHMEGORLIMBUZZURKARASH!

Taerom Fuiruim: Braegar! You’re scaring away my customers!

Braegar: Pah, if your wares haven’t scared them off, they won’t mind my bluntness! Look at this! This is what you call mastercrafted? Don’t make me laugh! Ha!

Taerom Fuiruim: Enough! Listen, I’m thankful that you are helping me out, but there are limits!

Braegar: And you think you know what those limits are? I haven’t even started, Buzzurk!

Taerom Fuiruim: How about you return to your work? That should divert your attention.

Braegar: Pah! A simple door hinge like that? I could cobble that together even if you chop off my right arm!

Taerom Fuiruim: Keep going like that, and I’ll chop it off!

Braegar: Come here and try it, you wannabe smith!

Taerom Fuiruim: You would like that, wouldn’t you?

Braegar: Ah, do whatever you want. Amateur.

I see the dwarf is as calm as he’s always been. I go over to him to say hello.

Aegon: I’m also glad to see you, Braegar.

Braegar: Yeah yeah, fine. Don’t get all sentimental, foolish elf.

Aegon: You’re not in the best of moods, are you? What’s going on here?

Braegar: What’s going on? WHAT IS GOING ON? THIS DAMNED IRON IS WHAT’S GOING ON! BARASNARZABULRAH!

I’m supposed to work with this! Pah! Don’t make me laugh!

Taerom Fuiruim: I can’t do anything about it, Braegar! Either you accept what I have here…

Braegar: …damned scrap, crumbling away in my fingers…

Taerom Fuiruim: Or you go and find your own iron!

Braegar: Pah! Careful, or I might just do that and leave you and this mess behind!

Taerom Fuiruim: Go on!

Braegar: Keep going!

Taerom Fuiruim: Oh scram!

Braegar: Careful!

Aegon: You want to look for iron? Where?

Braegar: The best place for it would be the mines of Nashkel. I know most iron from there isn’t fit to forge a paperweight but there must be an untainted piece of metal somewhere.

Aegon: Maybe I can join you?

Braegar: Hrmph.

I don’t like saying it, Aegon. But it seems, it would be best if we joined up.

I know my way around underground and I guess you could help me find some iron. What do you say? Let’s investigate the mines of Nashkel together?

Taerom Fuiruim: Please, take him with you! I already regret taking him in. I wouldn’t mind a little peace and quiet.

Braegar: Pah, without me your business would be flat on its back already, Taerom!

Aegon: Welcome aboard, Braegar!

Braegar: Ha! By Clangeddin’s axe! Let’s vanquish whoever is defiling the iron!

Let me just quickly grab my things from the Jovial Juggler, let’s meet outside in front of the smithy.

He leaves to get his things, and we decide to see how terrible Taerom’s wares really are in the meantime.

Aegon: Didn’t Will order some armour to be forged at your smithy?

Taerom Fuiruim: Will, have you joined this group? Adventures are a dangerous matter.

Will Scarlet O’Hara: Welcome my friend, it’s always nice to see you, tell me how’s my armour?

Taerom Fuiruim: Your pretty leather, you mean…

Will Scarlet O’Hara: Yeeeeees, that’s precisely the one. My scarlet leather with the cloak…

Taerom Fuiruim: Unfortunately, you have to wait, it’s going to take a few days, at least.

Aegon: I wonder if you could enhance any of my equipment with your skills?

Taerom Fuiruim: The current tension in the area gives me little chance to do this. I can recommend my former master and teacher to you, Stuart of Baldur’s Gate. You find his Arms and Armour Emporium in the street north of the Elfsong Tavern. Give him my greetings if you go there.

Since we are here, we may as well re-equip ourselves. Emily feels more comfortable with her heavy crossbow, so we buy her more bolts. She also gets a sword and a shield.

I need better protection, so I purchase a magical buckler.

Garrick upgrades to a heavy crossbow and buys a helmet.

Will gets some bullets and a helmet, and upgrades to a small shield.

Aura just buys some more arrows and equips a buckler.

Finally we buy a silver-black ammo belt to hold our spare ammunition.

Now that we’re fully equipped we leave to meet Braegar. He’s already waiting for us.

Will decides he’s going to spend some time with Taerom. He points us in the direction of the Temple before we leave.

Braegar seems to be impressed with our party.

He’s usually such an angry dwarf as well.

He is a trained Dwarven Smith.

He can summon a Spiritual Hammer once a day.

He wears chain mail armour with a helmet, and is armed with an axe. He also carries a couple of potions of healing.

I talk with Emily as we make our way to Beregost’s Temple.

Aegon: I miss Gorion, he was like a father to me.

Emily: What was he like?

Aegon: He was a man of many secrets. He was a good teacher, but did his best to keep me sheltered.

Emily: He sounds like a sweet, protective man.

I often think of my father. This trip was his idea, getting away from home for a while.

It took a lot of trust from him, for him to tell about the contact he received from my mother, to tell me her name, Alina. I love that name.

He saw how much a drain all of the talk of who will be the heir was on me, and my desire to leave the walls for a while, and encouraged it. I love him a lot for that.

Aegon: You did well by him, Emily.

Emily: He was a good parent. Even if I was a bit of a brat sometimes!

Aegon: You’ve not said much about your mother, only that she exists.

Emily: Do you mean my biological mother, or Father’s wife, the mother who raised me?

Aegon: Tell me of your biological mother.

Emily: I only know what I know from father, really. They met before he was arranged in marriage. She was an elf, with a passion for righting the wrongs, and gave a thirst of adventure to my father.

I think it was one reason why he was pushed to marry soon after.

Their departure was bitter, but their… meetings had produced me. He was settling, and she still wanted to adventure, and a child alone would be too dangerous. So she asked a big favour of my other mother… and she consented.

It was a bit of magical deception, but no one knew, everyone thought that my father’s wife conceived before marriage and they rushed it. Some wonder still… hence the issues of being an heir.

I wonder if she will even remember me, when I finally find her?

Aegon: She will. I have faith.

Emily: That’s nice of you to say, Aegon. I hope you’re right.

I hope so too. Father always told me that my mother died giving birth, but I wonder if that was the truth. Could I find my own mother one day?

We find the temple just outside of town as Will said it would be. Now to find the Dawn Priest Blaise. We talk to a man we find waiting outside.

Aegon: Just passing through.

Gavin: I see.

By your bearing and equipment, you seem to be adventurers. Could you use a cleric of Lathandar in your party?

Aegon: Yes, I think we could use your help.

Gavin: I shall gladly join you, if you wish me to, as long as you and your party strive to do good.

Aegon: Welcome aboard.

Neera decides to walk her own path for a while, and tells me she will meet me if I ever come back to the Friendly Arm Inn.

Gavin says he will act as our guide for the temple.

He is faithful to Lathander.

Lathander grants Gavin the ability to conjure Armor of Faith, Bless his allies, Cause Light Wounds, Command enemies to sleep, Cure Light Wounds, Curse his enemies, Detect Alignment, Doom someone, hurl a Magical Stone, grant Protection from Evil, Resist Fear, and create a Sanctuary.

Lathander also grants Gavin the ability to Hold Undead.

He can also be granted the Boon of Lathander.

Gavin wears chain mail armour with a helmet, and carries a war hammer with a large shield.

He also wears a ring that was given to him by his sister.

He has a couple of potions of healing, as well as an antidote.

Gavin tells us he knows where the vestibule is. He shows us toward the left side of the temple, as I reach into Bartleby’s case for Sister Sapientia’s letter.