Ch6 - Alfira

Leaving the rooms, we met up with the rest of the party, I figured it would be nice if everyone could see Nettie at the same time. So going back in we found her sat watching a bird recover. After initially meeting, Astarion butted in, "Hi sorry, Astarion, I've been told you have a way of removing our… unwanted visitors to put it one way."

"Tadpoles" Gale said with a little smile on his face, he's a bit weird but sweet sometimes.

"Yes Gale, tadpoles, the mind flayer type" Astarion responds.

"And you're not turning? Interesting… come with me" Not giving us chance to agree she took us away to another secret room, a dead drow lay on the table. She begun to tell us about the rising rate of ceremorphosis and how Halsin researched the topic. Though rather ungracefully she gave Astarion and everyone but me some poison and told us to drink it if it developed. Unsurprisingly, most of the group gave a resounding no.

Nettie didn't like that and cast thorny whip on Gale. As a group we immediately decimated her, two arrows through the throat and a sword through the ribs ended her life quickly. Naturally, I took her body, placed the circlet on Astarion and then took the drow body and the mind flayer specimen as well when everyone left.

Once we finished killing the resident healer, we split up again, this time with Gale.Earlier, heard some music around the grove and naturally wanted to investigate. Floating up we found a tiefling playing the lute and singing an obviously half written song.

"Dance upon the stars toni-"

Unfortunately I couldn't hear anything else, as the squirrels below me were trying to show how they put on a better act. Ignoring the now tap-dancing squirrels I talk to her.

"Having problems with your song?" I ask her.

"Oh uh yeh, I'm trying but I just, I just can't. I keep trying but nothing comes of it" Alfira slumped over her lute and sighed.

I already know what troubles her so I get straight to the point with my questions, "Where is the song coming from? What is the motivation behind this piece that makes you want to go to the top of this hill when you practice?"

"It was for my teacher, she taught me everything there was to being a bard. I wanted to make this for her, but all I do is warp my memory of her"

"I'm sorry to hear that, Gale do you have any tips?" I turn to see Gale.

"Ah a heartfelt song, a beautiful idea. Unfortunately one I have absolutely no experience in" He resolutely says.

"Thank you anyway Gale" We try all manner of help with Alfira until finally something just clicks mentally for her. Without a word, she starts playing. Her fingers strum the strings with a new fervour and sings a beautiful melody. In turn, I watch how she hold the lute, the chords and the timings she uses.

After a time she stops, a relieved smile crosses her face, "thank you, you two. I might not have reached that moment for a long time without help. Is there anything I could help you with?"

Immediately, I knew I had to take advantage. There are very few bards in Baldur's gate that you truly meet, so I just have to get this. "If you don't mind,can I set up a telepathic link to your mind? And could you project what you believe being a bard encompasses?"

Taken aback she hesitated, "I can't say that's what I had in mind, I was thinking gold but, of course I would love to do that." She closes her eyes and I set up the link. Memories of the college of bards, the stress over songwriting, the patronising views when you play a chord wrong, everything from the blood sweat and tears she has poured over her lute. Additionally I see her thought process over allowing me access, 'My mentor said that if everyone took the time to learn a skill like this, the world would be better off for it.'

I take a moment to digest it, it was truly more than I could've expected. Alfira is extremely passionate about her craft and I could not respect it more than I do now. "Thank you, for that. I think you might need to take a break for a bit, the callouses on your fingers are starting to bleed."

****

It was starting to get late now, the residents here started going to sleep and so has my camp. Once again I was serving up seared boar meat and vegetables for the camp, whilst I had my regenerating meal deal.

When everyone left for their tents, I took out my points of research for the night: a drowning body with a letter from Minthara, Nettie's body, knowledge of shadow druids, knowledge of the bard's college, lute playing and the tadpole specimen.

A busy night awaited me as I made mental notes on how the shadow druids indoctrinated, functioned and who I believe their enemies to be, which was mainly just advanced society.

Next I relived Alfira's memory at least 5 times, my boon from Ilsinsine proving useful in what I comprehend and remembered.

Then I dug into the drow body, it was near identical internally. However, the skin was slightly thinner with a purple hue and the eyes could expand far wider than any of the other eyes I've studied.

Nettie's body was more boring, I know dwarves have a stronger immune system but like I've mentioned I don't know anything about microbiology to see a clear link into her biology.

Finally, the tadpole.

Floating it out of the jar I took note of its disgusting appearance, a circular maw with razor sharp teeth to eat brain matter with. Stress testing the skin showed it to be about as strong as paper, I slit its underbelly open and speculated on its internals.

When I was finished I dumped the bodies in my body pit and lit it on fire, I should really hide this better in case anyone stumbles upon it. But I can't be bothered to right now and I'd rather use my time to go over my new knowledge and compound it.