DavesGaming

The meeting with Caelar didn’t yield much of interest. Several of the generals were willing to hand me over if it would stop the fight. I actually understand the sentiment. I tried, and mostly failed, to convince them of just how dark and evil Caelar’s cause truly was. But thankfully, I got agreement that how much Caelar wanted ME personally should serve as a warning they should NOT want this to happen. As we all were heading back to camp we heard the sound of signal trumpets, and now open combat was on us. the generals would see to the main battle, while my team was sent to see to the camp’s security.

There were several sizable breakthroughs to deal with, four good size skirmishes for my team of six and a handful of troops left with us. In the end, Caelar’s army was crushed and the remnants retreated to Dragonspear Castle. This led to a full out assault the next day. Diomedes, Minsc and Moya were right on point for that; with me, Dyna and Corwin right with them in close support.

This led to chasing Caelar, Haephernan and other hold outs into the Castle dungeon. Sure enough, the gate to the Abyss was opened and we had to continue the chase. This ultimately led to a minor, broken demon known as Belhifet. I’d read an old history of how he’d almost broken through to the Prime a century ago up in Icewind Dale. He was presumably at a shadow of his peak power. And what a shock, Haephernan was now revealed to us as a minor demonette, or substitute whatever epithet he would least appreciate…
This all highlighted a Crusade of utter waste and stupidity. But here we were. Caelar alone faced the demon, her armies and forces shattered, dead from the coalition camp, to the walls of Dragonspear Castle, and along a trek across the Abyss. And Caelar stands alone facing a demon.
Whatever I personally think of her, I was pretty sure she never meant for a demon to be unleashed on the land. It wasn’t hard when the demon took notice of my team to convince Caelar to fight with us against the monster.

Belhifet and Haphernan made for a moderately challenging fight. We’d all become a pretty good team fighting together, even Moya and Corwin had come to team with us quite well in just a few weeks. The fight didn’t last long. I’m not so strong on the metaphysical stuff, but I *think* we destroyed Belhifet once and for all? One can always hope.

Returning home was not what was expected. Caelar had apparently been motivated by a loved uncle who was imprisoned in the Abyss. We were able to free the man, and were pleased on return to the gate to find other Crusade survivors there, not knowing quite what to do and understandably terrified by where they were. As we prepared to exit, Caelar’s Uncle Aun said the only way to seal the gate was with blood on the Abyss side. Which Caelar herself volunteered to provide. Not an end I’d wish on anyone, but given what awaited her if she returned home, her fate was likely the same either way.

Once home, the War against the Crusade was truly and completely over. Our army was in the mood for celebration. My team not so much.

I have neglected to mention, since we first started our “relaxation” at the Ducal Palace weeks ago, I’ve had recurring visitation in my dreams from some sort of hooded man. He mostly spouts double speak nonsense. But some of it is plainly threatening. He wants me to fight some sort of beast. I had another of these visions that night. When I awoke, I was next to the dead body of our friend Skie with a bloody dagger. Actually, that bloody Soultaker dagger we had found at Durlag’s Tower a month or so back.
I had no good answer for what had happened. I was arrested on the spot for her murder.

After our return to Baldur’s Gate and a reasonable attempt at a fair hearing I found myself in jail again. With just my husband this time. The Hooded Man showed up in another vision (or was he really there?) and I saw clearly that he had killed Skie. This was more evil than the demon we just fought! Skie could be annoying, but she was sweet and harmless. And he killed her just to get me in jail? That’s evil incarnate.

Fortunately, not too long after this horrifying encounter, we were freed from incarceration. In the dead of night. Obviously we had made powerful enemies in this city. But we had good friends too and we would be allowed a clean escape. Along with our good friends.

*****

Just a quick note. This playthrough has become massive. With 18 Updates and art for all of them its by far the longest thing I’ve done. So I will start a new main post for BG2. Updates there will start with 19! That should be up late tonight or tomorrow.