Our trip to the Iron Throne base was rather less eventful than our first.
We were greeted by staff after staff member who all had the basically same message for us:
- Sarevok had sold out the Iron Throne and is giving its resources to Baldur's Gate in exchange for Dukedom
- Sarevok was intent on war with Amn for some reason
Of them, Dhanial donated to us a skydrop gem on his way out. Very kind of him.
Gregor, Brunos's son, wanted vengeance on behalf of his father after we admitted to killing him.
"For my father, someone will die tonight!"
Someone did indeed die tonight. From Gregor we received a Shortsword+1.
It's kind of like a Netflix show. The writers assume the viewers have an awful attention span, watching shows while fiddling with their phones, and so the viewers need to be reminded repeatedly what is going on otherwise they wouldn't know what to do next. Same is going on here.
The whole party had gotten the message ad nasuseum that we were glad to finally find Cythandria. It was hard to miss her, considering she was the only woman here dressed like a... uh, very suggestively.
"Mmmmm... so you've come back," Cythandria said, gyrating to show off her assets. "If you were smart, you would have left well enough alone. I don't know how you escaped my lord's trap at Candlekeep, but you won't be getting any farther than here. Why did you come back here? I would have thought that you'd go after Sarevok directly?"
Jaheira was speaking for the group. She had the sense of mind *not* to look at me while she considered her next words. "You believe you can stop us by yourself?"
Jaheira had chosen not to respond to Cythandria that we had already confronted with Sarevok.
"I am Cythandria, consort to Sarevok. I have been with him since before he knew of his true heritage. The heritage Sonny shares with him. He will be pleased to know I have killed Sonny... perhaps enough that I might become his favored one again."
"Ha! I doubt you'll ever be his 'favored one'. Sarevok is evil to the core," Jaheira scoffed. "As for you, I give you one chance to surrender. Use it well."
"A very amusing notion. I would never betray my lord. Perhaps you should try your wiles on Tamoko, I'm sure she'd be more receptive to your overtures. I could never understand what Sarevok saw in her. Enough of that! Come my beasties, let's make short work of these interlopers!"
---
Cythandria is a level 11 mage with a whole host of nasty spells including Confusion, Horror and Fireball.
Her beasties were two ogres named Arghh & Ughh. The two were both impressive ogres armed with greatswords, who had 19 strength, Thac0 7 and 90+hp. However, they were only level 4, so each would fall asleep to Command from Branwen.
…oh. I forgot to switch Branwen's weapon from Ashideena +2 to the Kneecapper+1, which would work as a +4 weapon against the ogres. Oh well.
---
Cythandria's opening spell is usually Shadow Door. However, the backstabbing Quarterstaff+3 proved quicker than her incantation. Normally I would use the Dagger of Venom against mages, however…
"Wait!" Cythandria cried out after taking my strike. Her wound was a ghastly sight, though not fatal. "Do not kill me… please. I… I will tell you where to go to find my lord. The Under… the Undercellar is where you wish to go. It is there that you will find Sarevok. You can reach the Undercellar through the sewers. Please let me go now. I am shamed by my lack of courage."
...eh? My gaze momentarily, confused by the lack of ogres. What happened to Arghh & Ughh? Did they not get here in time?
I narrowed my eyes at Cythandria. "We didn't promise we would let you go if you gave us this information. Your information isn't even accurate. Sarevok wasn't in the Undercellar by the way, and we know where he's really gone."
"That's not my fault! I really thought he is in the Undercellar! Please, let me go!"
I peered at her with chilling intensity. "Let YOU go? You personally had a hand in convincing Sarevok to embark on his mad crusade in the first place. How many lives have been lost because of your urgings?" I said.
Well, at least according to Tamoko. I wasn't 100% sure how far Cythandira was responsible for urging Sarevok on with entire scheme. But I had little reason to doubt Tamoko on this particular point seeing as how Tamoko was helping us in order to stop Sarevok's self-destructive scheme in the first place.
While I kept my eye on Cythandria, I then said, "Jaheira, what are you thoughts?"
To my surprise, Jaheira was silent.
I stole a quick glance at Jaheira, and found she was biting her lips. "Jaheira?"
Jaheira took a moment to give words to her quandry. "Sonny, I've just realised you always ask my opinion when you want to refuse mercy to someone you want to punish," Jaheira said, scowling. "You're passing the role of the merciless avenger to me, aren't you?"
Oh. Er. Whoops, busted.
"Maaaaaybe," I admitted. "If you're feeling merciful today, I guess I have no choice but to let this woman go free-"
"No, don't," Jaheira quickly interjected. "She deserves to die. I'll very happily carry out the sentence myself. Do NOT let her go."
Khalid had a complicated look on his face, somewhere between bemusement and resignation.
Not much in terms of loot, but Cythandria did carry on her three interesting documents. Two letters from Slythe to Sarevok which seem rather incriminating, though not nearly as incriminating as a letter from Sarevok to Slythe we had shown the Dukes.
The first read,
"Sarevok,
I have received your letter and am quite overjoyed by your proposition. I have told my wife, and she is as excited as I am. I accept your mission and think that your payment is very adequate. This will be our greatest feat yet! To kill three Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate! We will be arriving in Baldur's Gate within a week, and should be taking up our usual residence at the Undercellar. If you wish to contact us, you will find us there. Use the access points through the sewers.
Joyfully yours,
Slythe"
"Boriiing. We're over all that already," Neera said.
This document would have been our clue that we need to head over to the Undercellar to find the two assassins, in case we hadn't bumped into Tamoko who told us the same.
The next letter was also from Slythe.
"Sarevok,
I must say that our first victim was not the challenge that my wife and I had expected. The foppish idiot had only the most token of defenses. However, I can assure you that Entar screamed quite deliciously all the way to the end. I hope that this next mission is much more difficult; from what you have told me, it would seem to be. Assassinating two Grand Dukes in their own palace, while they harangue the high nobles of Baldur's Gate no less! I can't wait! You still know where to find us. You should come down and enjoy the pleasures of the Undercellar for yourself; but if I know you, that'll never happen.
Your obedient servant,
Slythe"
"If I know you, that'll never happen. Cythandria knew Sarevok was unlikely to be at the Undercellar," Imoen said, frowning. "Boy, am I glad we killed her now."
"I suppose the Grand Dukes will want to know how Entar Silvershield died. Confirmation it wasn't the work of the Shadow Thieves, at least," Jaheira mused.
---
The big reveal was Sarevok's diary, which detailed all of Sarevok's plans. It's pretty long, so we had to take some time to digest it all.
"4th of Eleint, 1365: Today Cormyr has instituted a ban against the Iron Throne from operating within their borders. While this is a great blow to the Iron Throne, it is the perfect opportunity for Rieltar to approach the Throne high council with his proposal. If things go well, we could begin the operation within the year.
25th of Marpenoth, 1365: Davaeorn has sent a message to Rieltar, informing him that the mine at Cloakwood has been drained and is ready for use. This revelation should help greatly in convincing the Throne high council.
2nd of Nightal, 1365: The Iron Throne council has agreed to support Rieltar's plan. He has been given all the resources he needs, as well as leadership of the project. I have expressed interest to my "father," and he has promised to include me within the operations along the Sword Coast. He mentioned Mother in our conversation: how I wasn't to be unfaithful to him as she had. He made it clear that I would suffer her fate if I was. His threats are weak and hollow, and I shall listen to them for only so long. I have decided to take this time to make my visit to Candlekeep. I have waited a long time to research the prophecies of Alaundo, and I must know if the dreams speak the truth. I will not believe the words of phantoms without proof, and the priest of Bhaal I confronted gave me nothing. He was old and died quickly in my grasp. If the words are true, I shall surely groom stronger acolytes than this.
11th of Ches, 1366: My research has gone well. The monks here at Candlekeep have been quite helpful. From what I have read, it would seem certain that the blood of Bhaal does indeed flow through my veins. His prophecies are (of course) ambiguous, but I think I understand them. He foresaw his coming death, and seeded his essence across the land. The children born as a result bear the marks of chaos, have power with no direction, and shall feel the blood of a god within them. The deaths they bring shall awaken the father, and through them he will rise. It does not explicitly say, but obviously this means that death wrought by the children will cause them to ascend. Fitting, and since the father was the Lord of Murder, proving one's worth must involve an act in accordance with his portfolio. I begin to see what I must do. Death on a god-like scale."
"...obviously this means that death wrought by the children will cause them to ascend? Uh, am I missing something here? Because that's not obvious to me at all!" Imoen asked the rest of us.
We looked to Branwen, who shook her head. "There's been no precedence. But I am full of doubts."
"And Proving one's worth? Why would anyone think Bhaal cared the slightest for any of his children? What is obvious is that the God of Murder would want to resurrect himself through his children, somehow," Jaheira concluded.
"Wait. So Sarevok did all this so he could ascend to become a god? For reals?!?" Neera scoffed. "Seriously, how can anyone embark on such a ridiculous bloody crusade without confirming it would actually work? Does anyone have a clue?"
Oh gods. I did.
"He was desperate for it to be true," I said slowly. "To give some meaning to everything that had happened to him in his horrible life. All the horror and suffering was all leading to this ONE thing."
The party went silent. Neera in particular pursued her lips, and stood closer to me. She put a hand on my shoulder, which I acknowledged with a smile of appreciation.
We kept reading.
"3rd of Tarsakh, 1366: The monk Gorion troubles me. He seems to have taken an interest in my readings. I must be careful to be more clandestine in my research. I wish I could simply kill him, but I doubt I could safely murder him within this damnable library.
11th of Tarsakh, 1366: I had a dream this night. My mother was talking to me, but as she did her face became bloated and discolored. Her voice became weaker as she spoke to me, telling me to save her from Rieltar. I could see the garrote cutting into her neck, but I did nothing. It was only a dream."
"...Rieltar killed his mother. Because she was unfaithful," Imoen said in a whisper.
Branwen scowled. "How did Sarevok know his mother was killed with a garrote?"
"The most obvious explanation is the most likely, no matter how cruel," I replied softly. "The vivid description of his mother's face turning bloated and blue should be a big clue."
Because Rieltar made young Sarevok watch.
We were starting to see how Sarevok became how he is.
" 27th of Tarsakh, 1366: I take my leave of Candlekeep now, and not a moment too soon, for I am sure that Gorion has perceived my heritage. One thing that I am certain of: Gorion's Ward is, in actuality, one of Bhaal's brood as well. Gorion's Ward has all the markings, and it would explain Gorion's curiosity in my studies. Though there is nothing I can do now, I will have to make certain to return and kill the little brat. It would be foolish of me to let one of my siblings live, especially one being brought up by the Harpers (and I am sure that is where Gorion's allegiances lie).
5th of Mirtul, 1366: Today I met with Rieltar in Baldur's Gate. The fool still insists on calling me his son, and for now I will let him. He assumes that I am loyal to him because he raised me. Well, loyal I am, but only as long as he is useful. He's set up a base in the mansion of a destitute noble family and says that everything is running smoothly. Mulahey has established himself at the mines of Nashkel, and his kobold minions should be already busily contaminating the iron ore. Only a few slaves have begun to mine out the ore at Cloakwood, though Rieltar assures me that once the bandit raids begin we'll have a steady supply of new slaves.
8th of Hammer, 1367: I met with the leaders of the Chill and Blacktalons. I have little liking for Ardenor, the leader of the Chill, but Taurgosz seems to be a man of his word. It is a good thing, as I'll have to work with these mercenaries for the rest of the year.
3rd of Tarsakh, 1368: Everything proceeds well. The ore coming from Nashkel has started to deteriorate, and my mercenaries have been doing a fine job of destroying any iron caravans on route to Baldur's Gate. Though some of my mercenaries have been captured, most think they work for the Zhents, so no trouble has fallen on the Iron Throne. I am sure that the Zhents at Darkhold won't be pleased to know that their name has been falsely used. I will have to be wary for Zhentish agents in the coming months.
28th of Tarsakh, 1368: I think I now have the time to deal with that old codger Gorion, and his little whelp. I will have to inform my men that I'll be gone for the next few weeks."
I've read this many times before as a player of the game, though not as Sonny, Gorion's foster son. I needed a moment to collect myself before continuing.
"? of Myrtle[sic] No time to write, but I must not neglect my journals so. The future dead must know of how the Lord of Murder again came to them. I shall hire a scribe when time allows. Things have not gone completely as I have planned, but I will still be able to salvage the situation. Gorion's Ward is on the move to Baldur's Gate; if I could maneuver the whelp to Candlekeep, then I would have the perfect scapegoat for my plan. My mortal "father," Rieltar, is there to meet with the Knights of the Shield. He has been blocking all my attempts to escalate the hostilities between Amn and Baldur's Gate, and these meetings will only serve to smooth relations. I must rid myself of them all and assume control of the Iron Throne myself. I cannot allow petty business and monetary concerns to interfere. Terribly sorry, "Father," but my true parentage calls and you are in my way. I shall be sure to instruct the doppelgangers in the exact manner Rieltar should die. I think a garrote would be perfect for the task."
After reading THAT, we needed to take a moment to sit down a moment before moving on.