My Gaming Journey: Icewind Dale II - Journal Entry #16

Hello, everyone, it’s time for another Journal Entry in My Gaming Journey:  Icewind Dale II. I hope everyone has been enjoying it. I was surprised that my boost on Minds got completed in 26 hours. I’m actually quite humbled so many chose to at least view it. So, thank you, fir taking time out to read my work. Meanwhile I’d like to welcome @nercurQ, @Im Sorry I Got Fat, as well as @A_CommonTime_Production, @CircleG, @svscomics, @NativePower, @BLM3000, @KOMMMANDO099, @BossInVegas, @RealNewz247, @CourtneyDay, @EPIPHANYm, and @WillWalker to my growing list of subscribers.

This journal entry will focus on Garrett, Painbearer of Illmatar. Also please note I will be taking some creative liberties with this that aren’t seen in the game just to close some potential plot holes, can’t have any of those. Get ready as the action and the danger continue. As My Gaming Journey: Icewind Dale II – Journal Entry #16 begins.

Garrett, Painbearer of Illmatar

Illmatar, help give me strength and carry my own suffering when this is all done. The horrors we have seen in the Lair of the Yuan-Ti in Chult chilled me down to my very soul!

Into the Serpent's Lair, and into a small piece of Hell!

We descended into the temple and immediately had to deal with A Yuan-To Archer. Then we went into the Dining area and had to deal with one then two waves of Yua-Ti, Purebloods and Half-Breeds.

Yuam-Ti Purebloods and Half-Breeds. Freaky, aren't they?

The Sorcerers cast invisibility so it was hard to deal with them. Yet somehow, we managed it. We then saw a room full of Heartless Dead and decided to examine it later. After dealing with another Yuan-Ti archer we came to a room with a series of pressure plates.

The Serpent's Lair Temple in Chult. Be careful in this place.

My Mali with her penchant for sticky fingers through sheer luck found the code to get in. After we looted the place of scrolls, weapons, and armor we headed off to the Cleric chambers and encountered two Yuan-Ti Priests and a High priest who gave us a bit of trouble. But in the end, we were able to defeat them.

A Yuan-Ti Priest. Take them out quick their spells are a real pain.

The Chapel of the dark God Seth was full of Elite Yuan-Ti warriors and those things they hit hard. But again, we were triumphant then we reached the chamber of the High priest of this temple and raided it for all the magical items w could find. Once that was done, we raided the barracks and dealt with the few Yuan-Ti in them. Yet I cannot help but be haunted by the screaming and suffering of so many in this temple. I hate to have to use such language but I must. In the eyes of Illmatar human sacrifice is considered…absolute blasphemy! As Painbearers of Illmatar our job is ease the pain and suffering of others by taking on their fears and burdens not create pain and suffering. Which was why as we traveled through the temple, I swore that when this was done I and Brannon would sanctify this temple for Illmatar and exorcise the taint of Sssseth and the Yuan-Ti’s evil from this place!

We made our way around the temple and ran into more Yuan-Ti disciples of Sseth, we also ran into a number of Viper’s Fangs and Coiled Cabal members. I know from Mali the Viper’s Fangs are sworn enemies of the Shadow Thieves back in Athkatla. And I know the usually the Coiled Cabal are rivals of the unholy cabals of Gods such as Iyachtu Xvim and Bane. 

Viper's Fangs assassin.

They were a petty nasty fight but between Terrax’s fireballs and the party going in hasted we managed to clean things up. Mali took her fair share of injuries through the mission, and she has really been earning her merit. Even the Drow has reluctantly admitted Mali has shown her worth., Considering how ruthless the Drow has proven to be that’s some progress at least. 

With the entirety of the temple cleared up we made our way back to the Pit of Heartless dead. There we pulled the lever and raised the pit to our level. Thankfully we didn’t need to worry abut the Fire and Acid trap baths. Mali had already seen to their deactivation so everything was under control. E got the last stele and made our way back to the surface.

Once we returned to the temple entrance Terrax saved us from making a serious mistake! He was able to read the writing on the temple entrance platform, praise Illmatar and Helm for small favors. It seems putting all the Steles in place summoned the guardian a powerful Black dragon. Having fought a White Dragon we were in full agreement that tackling a black dragon would’ve been a terrible mistake. Thankfully, the last of the Yuan-Ti forces, a pair of Sorcerers showed up to challenge us. We defeated the spell casters and then made our way back to the gate. Before we left Brannon, myself, and the Monk, Brianna performed a sacred ritual which called on Helm, Illmatar, and Selune which sanctified the Temple and sealed away the wretched Guardian Black Dragon so that it could never be released to bring harm to the world. Let the righteous will of the Gods be done! 

In the name of Helm, Illmatar, and Selune this den of snakes and the dark God Sseth must be purified!

No sooner had we leapt trough then we found Isalore talking with a Half-breed Yuan-Ti Sorceress named Cedra. It seemed that Cedra was one of the Half-Breeds born in Kuldahar after the adventures of Tien Steelisong’s group. I can see the pain and conflict in the eyes of Mali, and Brannon. The Sorcerer, Terrax, for his part looks more annoyed than anything else, may Illmatar open his heart so he may take o the burdens of others instead of seeking personal power. Madae was with them and even from where we were, I could sense the incredible and terrible power of Iyachtu Xvim coursing through her. It seems the Half-Breeds of Dragon’s Eye have been assisting the Legion of the Chimera. Which unfortunately makes them our enemies.

No sooner is the escape from the Crossroads then Mdae and Cedra of Dragon's Eye try to take the Heartstone gem.

I remember when Mali brought me to meet her parents Cabros and Minx Ironspur. Mali’s father, Cabros, a Ranger/Cleric spoke to me of the Marillith Yxonomei. He said it was hard enough defeating the Demon. What a horrific shame she ended up getting the last laugh. We ended up having to battle Half-breeds, Yuan-Ti, and Madae’s Neo-Orogs, and even several Harpies. Thankfully Isalore chose to join us in battle. Praise Helm, Illmatar, and even Silvanus he did. I think some of us might’ve died if Isalore hadn’t cast a healing spell or two on us in time. And it seems the High Druid is quite adept at fighting. Probably from his experiences learning under the elves.

Isalore through healing and swordplay proved his merit to us and Silvanus.

We managed to defeat them but we all received substantial injuries, even Mali was injured by the beasts and the yuan-Ti arrows. Still I cannot help but remember some bits from when Isalore was trying to reason with Cedra and Madae. Madae talked about how she and the other Half-Breeds were put upon. How the fail to realize that I like Isalore am a Half-breed as are my adopted parents and family. And like Isalore when people comment on our Half-Elf heritage in derogatory fashion, we ignore them. We prefer to let our deeds as individuals speak for us. Madae indeed cannot force people to be tolerant of others through brutality and force of arms, likewise no political pen stroke can do that. Tolerance can only come from changing hearts through debate, discussion, and through behavior that is benevolent to others. If one wishes to be treated well then one must first treat others with respect. Yet wither the Legion nor Isair and Madae can’t see this.

The battle was truly a great and terrible experience once we had survived and healed our wounds, we made our way to Conlan’s shop to sell off a whole bunch of items we had picked up aa long the way. There are still more items for us to sell but we’re making even more money then from the loot we found on the bodies of all those enemies. While I usually don’t like picking from the dead, may Illmatar bless my beautiful Mali for her sticky fingers and pilfering ways.

Having discussed matters with Isalore and assured him that while the Crossroads is open the Yuan-Ti threat has been completely neutralized, we’ve set out sights on Dragon’s Eye as our next target. I fear we will have more half-Breeds to deal with there as well as other various horrors. Only time will tell when this tale of tragedy ends. One thing is certain, I shall have much work to do when matters are settled it will take a lot of time and effort to restore the faith of Illmatar to this part of the world. Mother Egania’s may have meant well but I fear she has done more harm than good by taking on Isair and Madae, much as it grieves me to say so. We’re making camp now but, in the morning, we will be making more purchases from around Kuldahar and selling more things off before we head off to Dragon’s Eye and what is sure to be an ugly situation. May the Gods give us the strength to this through to tend and stop the insanity of Isair and Madae scheming.

Next stop, Dragon's Eye!

Well, there you have it, folks. There’s Journal Entry #16. I hope you all found this entertaining, as well as the other journal entries. Please feel free to comment if you like them. If you think there’s something I could improve on, also feel free to let me know in the comments section, constructive criticism is welcome here.

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Until next time, I’m Animeman73, saying stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all!

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