A/N: Yes, I know a thing or two about the reviews on their book so far. To be honest, I'm now too engrossed in playing Neverwinter and working myself to death at the same time. So yeah, I've got no time to even speculate whether Taylor Swift will issue that "I told you so" look at her BFF. *shrugs*
Add A/N: It's official, guys and gals. Sergeant Knox is black.
Just a brief note before I start sharpening my blade
Since I've officially started the ball rolling, I might as well state my intention to include whatever stuff related to the Neverwinter Six plot in this blog. However, the actual story (if there will be truly any at all since I'm nothing less than a lazy son of a gun) will still be done in Tueur de Roi.
A haunted past
I'm pretty sure you all have guessed (?) by now that Arylos wasn't exactly the most fortunate kid born.
Born around 1362 DR, no one knew who Arylos' parents were despite his features betraying him as a wood elf. When he was found by a retired Kelemvorite fighter, there were those who saw him as an inauspicious sign. This was due to a riot which broke out in Wheloon prior to the discovery, a place his foster father called home. Despite reservations from some of the folks, Arylos was largely accepted. That was before Wheloon became its current state.
On the 6th of Eleint during 1374 DR, a group of adventurers, at the request of Tunaster Dranik, discovered a plot concocted by the followers of Shar and Cyric. While any relevance with the Spellplague was speculative at best and outright rumor at worst, it was actually Arylos who tipped off the party concerning the temple of Mystra helmed by Naedaenya Arthas. Traveling all the way from the Vast Swamp where many like him were imprisoned, it was his foster father's ultimate sacrifice which enabled him to escape. Upon further questioning, it was revealed that Arylos accidentally triggered a portal linking an elven ruin there to the Wyvern Watch Inn. However, he could only recall at best a little girl whose name he forgot and how his only family member died with countless arrows embedded in his body.
Acting on the information, the party managed to foil a dangerous scheme where failure would surely tear a hole in the Weave. Ironically, the Spellplague would erupt eleven years later. As the only one who escaped from the clutches of Naedaenya, it became relatively easy for his fellow Whelunians to turned against him when Cormyr decided to seal off the entire city after a sequence of events leading from the Spellplague.
In a city fallen from grace, Arylos had two choices. Either he sought any semblance of an alliance in order to survive or to risk solitude and perish as a result. Foreseeing the grim reality behind what would eventually happen, the wood elf chose not to align himself with any factions. Keeping his cards close to himself, Arylos soon acquired a fearsome reputation as a survival specialist. Someone who would kill any man, woman, or child if it meant another day to live.
In a city fallen from grace, Arylos had two choices. Either he sought any semblance of an alliance in order to survive or to risk solitude and perish as a result. Foreseeing the grim reality behind what would eventually happen, the wood elf chose not to align himself with any factions. Keeping his cards close to himself, Arylos soon acquired a fearsome reputation as a survival specialist. Someone who would kill any man, woman, or child if it meant another day to live.
Excerpts from a good and faithful servant
I do not know how long I will stay in Wheloon. 'Tis a nice enough place complete with nice enough folks, but my calling lies with Mystra. Then my goddess gave me... well, an absurd task. She asked me to tutor that Or-tel-quessir lad! Neither a moon elf nor a sun elf, but a wood elf. When I daringly asked her the reason, she merely murmured something about a debt owed to Kelemvor. Given how her romance with the god of death had turned out, it's nigh impossible for even the likes of Elminster Aumar to find the answer.
~Marpenoth 1; 1374 DR
The boy is anything but mundane. I have witnessed battles won by tacticians befitting of a king. He is not like that annoying brat from some minor noble house a few weeks back. Like his predecessor, Arylos talks a lot with nary a restraint. Unlike that arrogant fool, he is always willing to learn from his mistakes. Not that he is guilty of making many though. Truly a military genius. Rulos shouldn't have taught his ward about Kelemvor. Figure Tempus must be raging right now. Not that I care anyway.
~Kythorn 20; 1375 DR
Something's not right. The boy seemed to have lost his emotions overnight. There was something about his fever. He may have recovered from the ailment, but I'm afraid he has lost the joy of laughing, crying, and raging. Emotions can be a bane, but 'tis the only thing making us alive. The worst part of the story? I tried asking Mystra why. Only to receive silence as my keep.
~Eleint 6; 1376 DR
Well, I guess this is where I shall end my journal for good. Tomorrow, I must set off for Myth Drannor. Because it is my intent to give Arylos whatever written here thus far, certain things are not meant for his eyes. Or so said Mystra. Either way, I'm sure he is in good hands. More specifically a local hothands by the name of Stev Gibbons. If only I am younger by a good number of years. His Koryan ward is quite a beauty. Pity her name lacks creativity. Korey? Utter blasphemy, Finder Wyvernspur would surely say. Hopefully, Arylos won't be stigmatized further. Having markings all over your face is never the best way to make friends. I blame that fever.
~Flamerule 30; 1377 DR
This is... this is utter insanity! What right does the Cormyrian crown have in giving Wheloon that death sentence? I should have realized earlier that those markings on Arylos' face to be something far more dangerous than an intricate scar! Damn that adulterous pair! May Cyric and Shar murder each other in bed after what they've done to Mystra! Let's hope Alusair can knock some sense into Azoun V. He's every bit a gifted politician like how Arylos was every bit a gifted tactician. But still a mere boy against all the noble houses trying to control him. As for that worthless fool who managed to climb up the power ladder, I hope he had enjoyed being immolated by Arylos' wrath. Perhaps I should have disintegrated him before taking Arylos under my wing.
~Eleint 13; 1385 DR
Next up: So we'll most likely have the original Korey, the current Korey, and the Uthgardt girl. Possibly Ar-tel-quessir as well. If AWARE decided that I need to be put down like the King of Currumpaw, let me just put this up. For now, I need to sleep. And work tomorrow.
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