There was only one final confrontation left, the battle with Sarevok. In the mean time, we were waiting at Beregost for the Harpers to come and pick up the dagger safely, so we had some time to kill.
-
(This is where some inventory management is in order. Players who are playing the Siege of Dragonspear should carefully curate what items they bring into the final battle with Sarevok, as anything in their inventory will be brought over into Siege of Dragonspear but anything outside will not.)
-
The party was hanging out at Feldepost's, enjoying some much needed rest after spending so much time on a deserted island and at sea.
"What are your plans after Sarevok is defeated?" was the question that kept popping up.
We hadn't really time to think about it until now. We yammered, hewed and hawed. Exchanged ideas.
"Well, my decision is clear to me," Branwen said. "I will return to Seawolf. Or at least to the Norheim Isles, if my village still would not have me after all my accomplishments."
"Really? You're such a priest of no small power now. A little village who didn't respect or appreciate you doesn't deserve you," Neera snorted.
Branwen smiled to her. "Your words ring true. And yet, Norheim is home. I still miss its shores. I would like to find some way to contribute to my own people, even if not necessarily the small-minded people of my village itself. If I serve as a Priestess of Tempus in Norheim, my example could lead the way forward for future generations of women there."
"Lofty ambitions indeed. Hear, hear!" Jaheira said, raising her mug.
"Hear, hear!" everyone cried together, and toasted to Branwen.
"It was a pleasure traveling with you all. Although we might not always agree on the methods, there was no shortage of bravery in this party. It was enlightening to see how cunning and strategy complements the will to take on the greatest dangers the realms have to offer," Branwen declared.
Darn right. Looks like Branwen was using that high wisdom score of hers very well. Her pronouncement was met with plenty of cheers.
Imoen looked to Khalid and Jaheira. "What about the two of you? Do Harp- do you guys ever get a break?"
Jaheira laughed aloud. "Not as such, no. The realms are always in trouble, it turns out. Trouble continues to stir, and Khalid and I will soon be sent elsewhere our attention is needed."
"Are you allowed to tell us where?" Imoen asked further.
Two couple exchanged glances, nodded to each other. "Well, we can tell you we will probably be sent to Dragonspear. Something stirs in that region, though at this time we know not yet what."
Dragonspear? The expansion thing added to the game much later by Beamdog Studios was going down? Gosh, looked like I was going to meet Khalid and Jaheira again sooner than expected.
"I think the two of you should consider asking for a break after that. Better yet, before that. The two of you just stopped a war between Baldur's Gate and Amn. You certainly deserve that much at the very least," I said to them. "I'll pay for your vacation out of my own pocket if need be."
I knew what was going to happen to Khalid in BG2, after all. Even if I couldn't convince them to retire from adventuring, they at least deserve some quality time together.
Before the end comes.
Khalid and Jaheira both beamed at my suggestion. "Out of your own pocket! Your generosity is appreciated. Unfortunately, circumstances and duty calls us away," Jaheira said. "Besides, you should know the two of us can't sit still. If we're not doing something active, we'll just be waiting for the moment we are sent away on another mission."
Adventuring counts as quality time for this couple? Adventuring couples really have it different.
We toasted to Jaheira and Khalid, that their future missions may be successful and the realms protected by their organisation.
"What about you, Imoen" Jaheira asked her after that. "Surely you will not return to Candlekeep after everything that has happened."
"Nah, I've outgrown the place. I'll try to visit to ol Puffguts now and then. Got to sneak in since I dun wanna give em a tome every time," Imoen said in agreement. "I actually got an offer from one of the Grand Dukes themselves."
"Working for a Duke! Wow, that's big news! Congratulations!" Neera said, everyone expressing their agreement. "Which one?"
Imoen smiled. "Liia Jannath. She wants me to work for Baldur's Gate, at least for a time. I'll be studying more magic under her while performing duties which need a, uh, subtle touch."
"Considering your accomplishments in uncovering the perpetrators of the Iron Crisis, she couldn't have found a better candidate," I said, and raised my mug. "To Imoen! To successful studies and career serving Baldur's Gate!"
"And lots of cupcakes!" Imoen added to the toast.
We looked to Neera next.
"I don't suppose you're returning to High Forest?" Jaheira asked tentatively.
"Hah! No, that's not a problem I need to revisit. Turlang told me to get out, I'm staying gone," Neera replied. She took a moment to compose a response. "Now that I'm not being hunted down by Thayan mages, I'm not totally sure what I want to do next. Even my attempt to get my wild magic under control through Adoy was a bust."
Neera gave me a side-glance, then looked towards the rest of the group. "Maybe I'll just enjoy the peace. We've been traveling all over the place and solving problems everywhere. Could be nice to just chill, at least for awhile."
That only left me.
"I imagine I can take a break awhile, but soon the call to adventure will sound again," I said after some thought. "I fought for this city, so I intend to keep it safe. We'll see how the situation in Dragonspear develops. After that, who knows? There's always something for adventurers to do in Faerun. I'm sure I'll be seeing some of you again, if you're still active."
The events in Amn that will occur during Baldur's Gate 2 awaited, after all. And maybe a short stop at Dragonspear too.
I asked for refills from the servers, then raised my mug. "To further adventures! Glory and riches for all!"
"Hear, hear!"