A Land Far Away

Part 1

The world around Hollis suddenly shook. The floor of the Helm and Cloak rolled under his agile little feet. Above the noise of the panicked crowd, the hin heard the unmistakable sound of battle. Dropping his unfinished mug to shatter on the floor, Hollis whipped a throwing axe into his hand and made for the front door.

The streets outside had filled with chaos. People ran into or out of homes unsure as to what was happening or how to escape the danger. The twitchy eyes of the Halfling where drawn to the sky above the Dragon’s Gate; there looming high above the walls of the city stood Ao’s son of destruction. Sheltem had finally come to the Baldur's Gate. Quickly, he tore through the back streets and alleys toward the thing, taking full advantage of his small size to duck and weave between frightened commoners.

Somewhere in the back of his head the idea of getting closer to this titan of annihilation seemed like a death wish, though these thoughts where quickly washed away and replaced with those of dying while fighting a god. If Sheltem wasn’t defeated here then they would all be dead. At least his would be a good death serving his goddess to his mortal end. Soon he may be dinning in the frozen halls of the Queen of Winter. With a wicked grin he increased his speed.

The small shadowy figure made its way to the Dragon Gate and finally slipped between the fear-struck Flaming Fist guardsmen and got his first full look at the juggernaut that towered before him. The glimpses he had seen of this monster while he had tracked it through his woods not too long ago couldn’t compare to what he saw standing before him now. Around the colossus a constellation of swirling blue orbs pulsed with magic. The very air around it seemed to shimmer with the raw power contained in the ancient destroyer. His body was living armor that was covered in every manner of cruel spike and barb. His right arm ended in a massive, vile looking blade the length of a longship. In its large head: eyes that had seen the birth of this world focused on its end. The gathered people at the gate all stood in stunned awe and horror. Hollis knew that never in his days would he again see such deadly perfection.


To be continued soon…

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Tearing his gaze from the divine marvel before him was no easy thing for the small scout, but something in the corner of his eye had snagged his attention like a fish on a hook. There was no puff of smoke, no swirl of magic or rent in space; he blinked and Corak just was. A collective gasp escaped the crowd as they noticed Sheltems brother take the field. Except for sheer size, the two brothers looked nothing alike. Corak’s design was simple and without excess. His smooth polished limbs and head were connected to his body by nothing more than pure light. The golem strode toward his brother with grace and calm majesty. His face seemed frozen in an expression of infinite sadness.

Hell erupted as the brothers unleashed a savage barrage of raw energy at one another. The concussive force made by the attacks was enough to knock the wind from his lungs. Hollis was dumbstruck by the devastation before him. His small mind could now truly understand why someone would lust for control of either of them. Many fought for the chance; thank the gods they had stopped them all. The balance would be maintained this day.

The shockwaves from the blasts died away as the twins charged one another. The sons met like two tidal waves. Every blow they traded sent fresh peels of thunder through air. Each time one would get the upper hand he was quickly countered by his brother. The combatants were a perfect match; blow for blow was traded and returned in kind. Hollis knew that if left unchecked this fight could easily destroy the world on its own.

With a desperate surge of strength Corak grappled his brother to the ground. Rubble flew in all directions from the impact. Sheltem struggled to free himself but Corak held fast, pouring the last of himself into this final sacrifice. The light that connected the body of Corak now began to seep and flow from his great form. The brilliance of it made Hollis’ eyes water. Sheltem’s bellow of rage tore at his ears like nails. The glowing essence now moved and covered half of him; Corak was literally bleeding himself to stop his brother. The evil twin fought like a hurricane in Corak’s steely embrace to no avail. When the light had finally covered both of them, Sheltem went still and an unearthly silence blanketed the land. The quiet mass of light let out one final ghostly pulse and then slowly vanished from this plane of existence.

Not until the two had fully dissipated did the city dare to cheer. But as that last spark of light went out, an eruption of noise came from the city’s terrified people. Hollis let out a howl and twisted into the air as he thanked his goddess for his life and for the spectacle he had just witnessed. A rare feeling of joy filled the cold hearted hin as he looked about at the folk his family had just saved. Hollis thought brother Xujja disserved at least a king’s fortune for the miracle of ending this threat to all of Toril.

The Halfling staggered through the streets wearing his wine as much as drinking it. A citywide celebration had ensued that would last well into the next evening. The illusionists of the city set the night ablaze with a spectacular display of light and sound. Sorcerous Sundries, in an attempt to outdo the other wizards of the city, had a full-sized reenactment of the entire battle complete with terrifyingly real sound effects repeating itself over and over again.

Walking among the happy citizens Hollis couldn’t help letting his deft hands make short work of the drunken partygoers’ purses and pouches as he searched the wards for his brothers and sisters.



props to BRM for making the end to the campaign f***ing epic!