The Curse of Candlekeep, Fanfiction based on the BG series Options

[Sir_Carnifex]

Late one night while working on my mod, an idea to fill about one paragraph hit me. I decided to write it down before I forgot and it ballooned into this. As long as I had the prologue written, I decided I might as well post it and see if I get any more ideas to continue working on it. I don't think of myself as a good descriptive writer, but I'm trying to work on it. If you have a comment, please post it in a separate thread so this one won't get cluttered. I'm always looking to improve, so constructive criticism is very welcome.

The Curse of Candlekeep

PROLOGUE

"Nicotino."

Mid afternoon had arrived at the great library of Candlekeep. The sunlight beamed in through arched windows flooding a small room with warm light. It was a perfect day outside, but for the moment, an apparently insignificant young halfling was trapped inside seated behind a desk. He leisurely swung his legs under the desk while thinking of anything but what he was supposed to be thinking about. The voice did little to bring his mind back to reality. At least, the first voice...

"NICOTINO!!!"

This time the floor shook and the walls rattled. An odd-shaped wooden object teetered on the edge of the desk, then toppled off , clattering noisily upon the stone floor. With a start, the halfling jerked his head upwards, bringing his attention to bear on his tutor, Jacono.

"Yes?"

"That is the end of your lesson for today," the tutor began quietly. "I do hope you have been trying to pay closer attention to your studies than it appears. Feel lucky that you are Gorion's ward, else I would have no tolerance for your kind. And for the last time, you are NOT allowed to bring your pipe into your classroom! Understood?

"Yes, sir."

"Very good. You may arise."

Nicotino slipped off his seat until his feet landed on the floor. He remained standing there for a few seconds. Outside the birds could be heard warbling and the monks were chanting Alaundo's prophecies again. Somewhere in the distance the sound of a young girl's laugh floated through the air. The tutor loudly cleared his throat.

"Nicotino, I said that you could arise."

"I DID rise!" returned Nicotino indignantly.

"Oh! My apologies. Hehehe. You may go now. Don't forget to stoop by the inn. Winthrop has something to say to you."

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Nicotino trotted through the open door into Winthrop's Inn. He always wondered why Winthrop kept a fire blazing even on the warmest of days. Fortunately, he did not have to remain inside for long. This was Imoen's domain, not his. A portly man was reclining in a chair behind the counter, giving the impression that he was asleep. A few conspicuous snoring noises gave further evidence to that fact. Over against the far wall, Firebead Elvenhair, the grisled old wizard was poring over yet another tome. Other than those two, the main room of the inn was entirely empty.

Nicotino edged his way silently around the counter and crept close to Winthrop. The halfling reached for the innkeeper's arm to awaken him (he could reach no higher) and tapped firmly. One cough, a sneeze, and two snorts later, Winthrop opened his eyes and squinted at Nicotino.

"So it's only ye, young whippersnapper! What can ol' Winthrop do for ye?"

"Jacono told me that you wanted to speak with me," Nicotino explained. "Seeing your state of alertness, I gather that it must not be anything of importance. So, what is it?"

"Now ye don't be poking fun at ol' Winthrop. Yer father wishes to speak with ye. Best ye be going now."

Nicotino sighed in exasperation, "Why does everyone want to speak with me only to inform me that somebody else wants to speak with me? Nevermind. Say, you don't happen to have any more of that pipe leaf on you, do you?"

"No ye don't! Ye smoke any more of that stuff and ye'll have t' be doused. Off ye go!"

As Nicotino stepped out into the open air, he opened his hand and looked at his palm. A look of disappointment appeared on his round face.

Nuts! Is that all he had in his pocket?!

And with that thought, he popped them into his mouth and marched towards the library.

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"Nicotino! How fortunate for you to pass by!"

Phlydia had appeared from nowhere just outside the door. Nicotino hated being near Phlydia for she was the only person in Candlekeep capable of holding a long conversation with him when he did not desire one. Perhaps that was because she did all the talking.

"Hello, Phlydia! I really regret that I can't stop to --" he began, hoping to avoid her.

Phlydia paid no attention to him and carried on, "Hey, have you seen my copy of The History of Halruaa anywhere? You know how I can't stand the constant shuffling of arthritic feet up in the library... So I thought I'd get a bit of fresh air just east of here and... Oh, I hate being so absent-minded! Oh! And my ring! It's missing and I know I just had to have dropped it somewhere. Please, if you find them, I really do need them back."

A grin spread across Nicotino's face. "I'm sure I can find your book, but that ring is a small thing and it's probably lost for all ages. And you know, arthritis will still bother you out here. It's not just being in the library that causes it!"

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The afternoon sun scorched Nicotino's face as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Everybody at Candlekeep used him as an errand boy and nothing else. First it was Phlydia's book, then Dreppin's cow, Hull's sword, and a myriad of other odds and ends. For once, he wished that people would treat him as if he were one of them -- at least a very short one of them. But no, he had to be the little kid messenger.

Why do they have to pick someone with such short legs to do all the running?

But now, all those simple tasks were done and he stood at the entryway to the inner wall. It was time to see what Gorion wanted.

Nicotino padded under the arch and into the garden-like area surrounding the library where he was immediately pounced upon by a familiar pink-clad figure.

"Heya! It's me, Imoen! I'm surprised that stuffy ol' Gorion let you away from your studies and chores. That ol' fiddle faddle. I snuck off too. Old Puffguts Winthrop was looking for me, but I've got all day to do his chores. You have time for a story today? No, I can tell you don't. What have ya been up to?"

"I'm afraid I cannot chat today, young one. My foster-father wishes to speak to me, but I do not know why."

"Young one? I'm not much younger than you, though you sure got tall fast. Relatively, anyway. I'll bet ya it's a journey! I never get to travel. Wish I could go with ya. Yep, I really wish I could. Yessir. Really do."

"It sounds like you know more about what he wants than I do. No matter, I'll find out soon enough. As for you, you may want to avoid Phlydia for awhile. I told her you might know where her ring is. See you later...much later!"



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Gorion was pacing back and forth on the library steps anxiously awaiting. Nicotino had never seen him look nervous before. Gorion wasted no time getting to the matter at hand.

"This is very unnerving, I know, but you must trust me. It is very important that we leave Candlekeep immediately. Hurry, for there is no time to tarry! The keep is well protected, but not invulnerable."

"If we are leave, I need to grab some things first," said Nicotino.

"Do you have your sling with you?"

"Yes."

"Good. That's all you'll need for now. All your practice on the Candlekeep windows may come in useful. We can pick up any extra equipment later. Come, we must be off."

In a daze and still unsure what was happening, Nicotino hurried to keep up with the pace of Gorion as they passed back into the main courtyard and out to the gatehouse. There they stopped for a few seconds as Gorion gave him one last piece of advice. Then they were off again out into the wilderness where the gathering dusk soon enveloped them.

[Sir_Carnifex]

The next installment following the misadventures of everyone's favorite anti-hero has arrived! As always, comments are welcome.


CHAPTER 1:
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The pair had been walking for nearly four hours straight since their departure. The sun had long since dropped from the sky, leaving only the scant light of the moon to fall upon their path. Amidst the shadows, Nicotino observed that they had stepped into a small clearing. The grass had all but died and the area was littered with small boulders. Perhaps it was a former campground, but whatever it was, the place did not look natural.

Gorion paused for a moment to relay the first portion of his plans. They were to make haste towards the Friendly Arm Inn with the intention of meeting a couple of his Harper associates. Nicotino had never heard of them, but if Gorion recommended them, he had no problems.

Of course, I don't even know the reason we left Candlekeep. Whatever it is, though, it's certainly no shopping trip.

Nicotino began to stride forward once again when Gorion put out his arm to stop him.

"Wait! Something is not right. We are in an ambush!"

"You're quite perceptive for an old man," a sinister deep voice responded. A giant armor-clad figure stepped out from the woods, brandishing an enormous sword in his right hand. A woman followed him, with a couple of ogres bringing up the rear. Their footfalls shook the ground as they walked. Nicotino's attention, however, was riveted by the first person. He was terrified --- literally shaking as the man towered over him --- yet fascinated at the very same time.

That sword! I want a sword like that!

"Hand over your ward and I will let you live!"

Nicotino's thoughts about the sword instantly vanished at the mention of himself. Why did this man want him? Who would want a halfling? Nobody in Candlekeep ever wanted him the least bit. Whatever the reason, he determined, it wasn't because the man was a friendly traveling troubadour. Nicotino slid his hand into his pocket, pulled out a stone and deftly fitted it into his sling.

"I would be a fool to trust your benevolence! Step aside and you and your lackeys will remain unhurt!" Gorion spat out while giving the halfling a shove backwards.

"I'm sorry you feel that old man." Upon uttering these words, the armored figure raised his sword in the air and the ogres rushed forward to the attack. Nicotino let the stone fly from his sling at the first, causing a severe welt upon the first ogre's arm. The ogre let out a deafening roar. Gorion yelled out as the man charged towards them.

"RUN!!"

Nicotino did not need to be told twice to run. So run he did, as fast as his two legs could carry him. He stumbled slightly as something struck him in the back but he managed to stay on his feet and then dive into cover. Behind him, he could hear shouts, the clash of weapons, and screams of pain. Magic illuminated the night sky time and again as Gorion loosed his fearsome arsenal of spells upon the enemy.

Nicotino did not stay to watch after the first ogre was fried. He turned and once more began to run. How much distance he coverd, he did not know, but the din behind him gradually grew less and less as he widened the distance between himself and the combatants. All signs and sounds of battle had long since ceased but he did not notice. He fled throughout the night and eventually collapsed on the ground from sheer exhaustion.

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It was the next morning. Nicotino awoke to the pleasant chirping of birds. If it hadn't been for the previous night, it would have been the perfect beginning to a day. But now, Nicotino had no idea where he was. Besides this, he had virtually no equipment with which to survive and did not know anything about living in the wilderness even if he had. To exascerbate matters, he was direly lacking in provisions. As he rummaged through his nearly empty pack, he woefully regretted all those snacks he had eaten during his first few hours adventuring. He had imagined that Gorion would always be around to conjure a few chickens whenever they were hungry. Well, he was hungry now, so he began the day with a hearty breakfast to help forget his troubles. The fact that he now had no more food mattered little to him once he had had his fill.

Eating having been taken care of, Nicotino decided it was time to examine his surroundings and take stock of the situation. To his surprise, he found that he was behind a clump of bushes off to the side of the road to Candlekeep.

I must have run in circles all night!

Now that he knew his location, his first thought was to return to the battleground. If Gorion was still alive, he would still be around. But that was if he was alive. Nicotino had a feeling that he was not alive. Therefore, he decided it was best not to return -- the enemy could very well still be there. No doubt, it was best to just move on and seek aid.

Nicotino snatched his pack from the ground and, flinging it across his shoulders, began to tread along the path. Destination: Friendly Arm Inn.

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"OH GOODIE GOODIE!! Together we can ALL destroy this infestation of EVIL RABBITS!!!" Chortled the madman, at the same time capering about in a little jig.

Nicotino had hardly begun jogging along the Lion's Way when he heard voices around the bend. A quick glance from behind a nearby tree revealed a strange pair standing in the middle of the road. The one was a halfling, a little taller than average -- a giant next to Nicotino. A short sword dangled from a leather strap he wore wrapped around a well-worn leather jerkin. Towering above him was a blond man dressed in long green robes. His face was painted with strange black markings which gave him a sinister, yet comical, appearance. Other than a small dagger stuck in his belt, the man was unarmed. At the moment, the two were scowling at one another, engaged in an argument, perhaps.

As he was speaking, the leather-clad halfling caught sight of Nicotino partially concealed behind the bushes. "Looks like we got a mite bit o' company, wizard," he spoke to his companion. Then, addressing Nicotino, he said, "Hello there kid. Rather strange place be to wandering, ain't it? My companion has something to say to ya."

The shorter halfling emerged from his spot and advanced towards the pair. He did not particularly like the look of these two. Still, they didn't seem openly hostile so he took the chance.

I need help and where I get it doesn't matter. I might just get some aid, who knows.

The green-clad mage popped his eyes a few times, rolled them, and then stared down at Nicotino with a disconcerting grin. "Hold Montaron, this young wayfarer is in need. Someone has set about thee, stranger, and you have barely escaped with your life."

"Aye Xzar, looks to have been roughed up quite well," grunted his companion.

"Indeed. I can offer you healing potions, if you wish, as a token of good will," continued the mage.

Nicotino looked thoughtfully at the pair. Their manner disgusted him, but free help was free help.

"I'd be grateful for any assistance."

"Nothing to fear from these simple potions, and I'll not even hold you in debt, though your conscience knows otherwise." The mage's bulging eyes seemed to bug out even more.

"Just like all good people," chimed in Montaron, attempting a smile. It looked more like a grimace of pain.

Xzar gave Montaron a scathing look, then turned back to Nicotino. "Perhaps as payment you would go with us to Nashkel. It is a troubled area and we mean to investigate some disturbing rumors surrounding the local mine. Some acquaintances are very concerned about the iron shortage. Specifically, where to lay blame in the matter. You would be useful, though I'll not hold you to it. We are to meet the mayor of the town, a man named Berrun Ghastkill, I believe."

Montaron piped up again, "Your conscience be your guide."

"There is little else I can do. It would not be safe for me to travel these roads by myself. I could accompany you as far as the crossroads, but I need to turn north towards the Friendly Arm Inn, not south."

"Excellent then! Perhaps you will change your mind by then, but for now, we shall travel together!" Xzar exclaimed.

And so, the newly formed company of three set off towards the Coast Way. A few miles down the road, Xzar suddenly shouted out, "OH GOODIE GOODIE!! Together we can ALL destroy this infestation of EVIL RABBITS!!!"

Montaron swatted the mage across the back with the flat of his sword, at the same time growling, "Rein it in, wizard! I canna stand the way your senses flit about. Could we just travel in peace?"

"Mommy, Mommy! Monty is being mean to me!!!"

Nicotino shook his head as he dropped behind the others. He had a feeling that he was in for a long, long journey.

This post has been edited by Sir_Carnifex: Aug 18 2008, 11:30 PM