BBG: Chapter 42

Lieutenant Jacobi turned out to be a relatively young man for a Paladin of Helm. He seemed only in his early twenties, which meant he had only just become a fully-fledged Paladin, having been anointed and graduated from being a squire fairly recently. Most such Paladins tended to stick closer to their attendant keeps or temples for the first few years of their duties, training more and learning from the more veteran members of their orders. Not so with Lieutenant Jacobi, who had apparently chosen to join the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company and get experience the hard way with the rest of us.

It was an oddity, especially given that he introduced himself as Lieutenant Jacobi Jardeth, a Member of the Rich and Powerful Jardeth Noble Family of Waterdeep. He could have had his pick of assignments with those familial connections, even if he still insisted on becoming a Paladin of Helm. Honestly, with the way that the Jardeth Family business was run, supplying military goods, mercenaries, and advisors to smaller, less well-off settlements, you would think he would have been able to go anywhere on his family's coin and effectively see the world. But then, maybe that wasn't the case here.

After all, Helm was the God of Protectors and Guardians. If Lieutenant Jacobi truly wanted to honor Helm, what better way to do so than by joining an organization that effectively functioned as the City Watch to a major City like Baldur's Gate? Would Helm even look kindly upon him for trying to skive his way through his early career off the backs of his family's prestige and wealth? Possibly not. In fact, that did seem like the sort of thing that would cause Helm to strip his Paladin of the powers he had granted to him. Of course, that didn't mean that Lieutenant Jacobi couldn't have used his family connections to get an assignment somewhere exotic and then pull his weight, but maybe he just wasn't that sort of person.

As I tried to figure this out, however, Jaheira and Mei were speaking with the man in question. The man in question raised a rather plainly made gauntlet to his chin to scratch at his short blonde beard, really little more than fuzz, as Jaheria repeated the same thing to him that we had talked about. When she was done, Lieutenant Jacobi nodded before asking more questions about the situation.

"This Wizard, you claim he mentioned masters?" Questioned Lieutenant Jacobi.

"He did." Confirmed Mei.

"And do you have any idea who those masters could have been?" Queried Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Nothing concrete, I'm afraid." I spoke up.

"If we had any ideas, do you not think we would be looking into things ourselves?" Asked Jaheira.

"I meant no offense, but these sorts of questions can help narrow down suspects." Defended Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Jaheira and Robar are right. We have no concrete leads." Offered Mei.

"Think harder. Does nothing truly jump out at you? Anyone you might have recently made an enemy of?" Questioned Lieutenant Jacobi.

"No one in any position to hire a Wizard like Tarnesh." I answered.

"Oh? You have enemies, then Robar?" Queried Jaheira.

"I do, but the timing doesn't match up. I don't want to say it's impossible, because magic exists, but it's extremely unlikely." I refuted.

"I'll take your word for it, then. Unfortunately, with no concrete leads, we can't identify who might have sent this Wizard, Tarnesh, after you." Sighed Lieutenant Jacobi.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Lieutenant. If it comes up again, it comes up again. If not, all the better." I shrugged.

"That's a very nonchalant way to handle things." Mused Lieutenant Jacobi.

"A little too nonchalant. You could stand to take this more seriously, you know." Scoffed Jaheira.

"Would my panicking help the situation at all?" I asked rhetorically.

"You know the answer to that." Scowled Jaheria.

"Well, I know I'm a bit panicked." Offered Mei.

"You're doing a good job of hiding it, then." I responded.

"Oh, that's because it hasn't hit me fully yet. Give it a couple of hours." Insisted Mei.

"That being so, perhaps you might want to check in on your downed companions before you break down?" Questioned Lieutenant Jacobi, cutting in.

"Khalid. Where did your men take him and Imoen?" Queried Jaheira.

"Brother Artan is seeing to them outside. Master Mirrorshades didn't want us to treat them in the common room." Informed Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Then we ought to go see them." Determined Mei.

"You do that. I still have a few more questions to ask the Lieutenant." I agreed.

Mei and Jaheira headed outside for the stables, where this Brother Artan was supposed to be treating Khalid and Imoen. In the meantime, I turned back to Lieutenant Jacobi after waving them both onward and fixed the man with a stare. He frowned at me, as if disconcerted, before speaking again.

"You look as if you're trying to stare right through me. If something is on your mind, say so." Frowned Lieutenant Jacobi.

"You're a long way from Waterdeep, Lieutenant." I intoned.

"I could say the same for you and the Moonshae Isles. Distance means little." Retorted Lieutenant Jacobi.

"It's not just that. You're a member of a rich and powerful noble house who could have had his pick of assignments, but chose to sign up with the flaming fist. You're traveling with a squad of troops that has a healer assigned instead of having to wait at the watchhouse to be seen to. Something odd is going on here." I pressed.

"Helm wouldn't look kindly on me for trying to use my family's coin and connections to rig myself a cushy posting. Also, in case you hadn't noticed, the whole land is in turmoil. Between the Iron Crisis, the Bandits, and these Gnolls, plus all the other, less-endemic threats, it's a dangerous time to be traveling without a healer." Explained Lieutenant Jacobi.

"So you got assigned one?" I asked.

"Stop dancing around the issue. Say what you mean!" Growled. Lieutenant Jacobi.

That was good enough for me. That anger was genuine and clearly about me questioning his sincerity. He could just be a good liar and actor, of course, but if he was good enough to fool me, then he was also good enough to slaughter us all with two members downed. Lieutenant Jacobi was who he claimed to be. Maybe it was paranoid of me to want to check, but we'd just been attacked in our sleep, and Doppelgangers were currently in the midst of taking control of the Merchant's League of Baldur's Gate. At what point does paranoia become just good sense? I wasn't sure. Regardless, I changed tack in the conversation then.

"Can I offer you some free advice, Lieutenant?" I questioned.

"Only so long as I'm not obligated to follow it." Huffed Lieutenant Jacobi.

"People aren't always what they seem. If a situation seems off to you, it's probably a good idea to prod at it until either the facade reveals itself to be false or you're satisfied." I advised.

"That's a remarkably pessimistic viewpoint to take in life." Mused Lieutenant Jacobi.

"It's just good sense. This way, you're never dismayed, only pleasantly surprised." I shrugged.

"Well, I'll take it under advisement." Opined Lieutenant Jacobi.

"So, now that we have that settled. Is there anything we can help the flaming fist with?" I queried.

"You wouldn't be able to magically wipe the land clean of bandits and gnolls, would you?" Asked Lieutenant Jacobi, sarcastically.

"Unfortunately, no. If there's something local we can help you with, though, just say so." I refuted.

"Local, eh? There is one thing. A farmer named Brun on the outskirts of Lower Chionthar is missing his son. Ankhegs wrecked his fields the other day, and his son has been missing since. I'm worried they took the lad into their warrens." Informed Lieutenant Jacobi.

"And you'd like us to handle them?" I questioned.

"Between the Bandits and Gnolls, the Flaming Fist is stretched as it is. If you could handle it, we would appreciate it. There's a certain amount of Danter set aside for unusual bounties like this. If you can handle it, it's yours." Nodded Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Well, as happens, I've met Brun. We'll handle your Ankheg Problem." I agreed.

"Good. Word to the wise, there's a Smithy in Beregost, the Thunderhammer. It's run by Taeron Fuiruim, and he knows how to work with odd materials. Ankheg shells are lightweight and as hard as steel. You might see about having him fit any you can grab into armor for you. The Surly Half-Elf and the Unconscious Half-Elf will likely be able to wear plate made from those." Explained Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Right. Where will we be able to find you once we've finished?" I queried.

"I'm currently posted to the Flaming Fist Watch House in South Baldur's Gate, but I'm headed on a rotation to Nashkel tomorrow, so you'll be able to find me there." Answered Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Perfect. I suppose your healer is in the stables?" I asked.

"He is." Confirmed Lieutenant Jacobi.

"Then I'd best join my companions." I intoned.

"Very well. I'll be waiting to hear back from you about those Ankhegs." Affirmed Lieutenant Jacobi.

Then, with that, I headed out of the Common Room to check the stables for Brother Artan and the rest of my companions. It turned out, Brother Artan was a Solemn Brother of Tyr, the Even-Handed, a God of Law. Brother Artan himself was clearly of Ffolk heritage, as he had the red hair and accent that you might expect from someone who had come from the Moonshae Isles, or Cadfael Island, come to that. His young age made me think that, like Lieutenant Jacobi, he had only recently become a full member of his order. That wasn't to say he did a poor job healing Khalid and Imoen, though. He jolted when I arrived, scalemail jangling as he turned suddenly, thanks to the door to the stables being creaky.

"It's just me, Brother Artan. I'm Robar the Red, Companion of the two you helped." I informed.

"Aye? Good. With assassins stalking the night, you can't be too careful." Huffed Brother Artan.

He clearly wasn't willing to admit he'd been caught out and startled like that, even if it was no fault of his own. Definitely still a teenage mindset in this one. As he scratched the back of his head, however, his gaze flicked over to a door in the far wall of the stables, past the row of horse stalls. I had to think that was where the others were, but who knew? Maybe Brother Artan had been using the room for some sort of Tryst before healing Khalid and Imoen and wanted to get back to it now that Jaheira and Khalid had taken them back someplace? It was possible. Tyr didn't demand a vow of chastity from his clergy, after all.

"Indeed. I take it my companions are in the other room?" I questioned, wanting to confirm.

"Aye. I healed them both to the best of my ability, but the Even-Handed hasn't blessed me with much power yet. I only took my orders last year, after all." Informed Brother Artan.

"Is that so? Are they up and about?" I queried.

"They are. I used potions to get them both the rest of the way up. Sergeant Korgoth is with them now. You can't miss him, he's the only Dwarf in the Squad, after all." Affirmed Brother Artan.

"One last thing. Do I detect a Ffolk accent there, Brother?" I asked.

"Aye. I was born in Caer Jannath and grew up there till I was sent to the Temple of Tyr in Neverwinter at age thirteen. I spent six years studying there before getting my orders. Good ear, though I should've expected a Northman would pick up a Ffolk Accent." Smirked Brother Artan.

"Well, thank you, Brother. What do we owe you?" I questioned.

"No charge. The Even-Handed would smite me where I stood if I didn't heal when duty called. Besides, the Flaming Fist pays extra for healers, so I can't complain." Refused Brother Artan.

"Well, thank you again." I nodded.

"Of course." Waved off Brother Artan.

Then, I headed past Brother Artan toward the door set into the far wall, making my way past a few horses in some of the stalls. Only one of them cracked open a single, bleary eye as I passed by before snorting out of its nose and going back to sleep. As I opened the door, it soon became apparent that this other room was for storage, as rows of crates were piled on the floor. In the center of the storage room, a brown-haired, bearded Shield Dwarf in armor stood talking with Jaheira, Mei, Khalid, and Imoen. That must be Sergeant Korgoth. The Sergeant nodded at me as I entered, and I nodded back.

"About time ye got back 'ere Manling." Huffed Sergeant Korgoth.

"Did you get what you needed from the Lieutenant?" Queried Mei.

"I did. I also got us a bounty." I answered.

"We should be heading to Nashkel, not chasing bounties." Frowned Jaheira.

"Trust me, we'll need to go to Nashkel to collect anyway, and the actual fighting bit isn't far from here." I placated.

"S-seems reasonable e-enough." Stammered Khalid.

"Where is it, and what will we be facing?" Asked Imoen.

"A farmer named Brun living on the outskirts of Lower Chionthar had his field wrecked by Ankhegs and his son snatched into their tunnels. We're supposed to clear out the Ankhegs, bring Brun his son back, or the corpse of his son if the Lad's dead, and claim the bounty in Nashkel. There's also a Smith in Beregost who can make lightweight plate armor out of Ankheg Shells for a fee. That should be good for Jaheira and Khalid." I explained.

"You want us to go to Beregost now, too?" Questioned Jaheira.

"It s-sounds like it w-wil be w-worth it, though." Mused Khalid.

"Besides, Beregost is on the way to Nashkel from Lower Chionthar anyway." Offered Mei.

"Yeah, besides, are you really going to let some poor farmer have his family torn apart and livelihood wrecked like that?" Queried Imoen.

"I suppose not." Sighed Jaheira.

"I-indeed. It w-would go against our v-values." Added Khalid.

I suppressed a grin at that. That was good old Harper altruism coming in clutch for me. Of course, it wouldn't do to let Jaheira know I was taking advantage of that sort of thing to draw the group on sidequests. She was liable to try to attack me if I did or something. The woman was sort of a hellcat like that. Regardless, it seemed that we had come to a decision with or without letting Jaheira in on the fact that I had found an emotional lever to use with her. Sergeant Korgoth just snorted at that.

"Good luck, Manling. Ankhegs are nae th' most docile o' beasts at th' best o' times. Better you than me, aye?" Snorted Sergeant Korgoth.

"Will it be a difficult fight?" Asked Mei.

"That depends on how many o' th' beasties are in th' tunnels." Mused Sergeant Korgoth.

"I'm sure Jaheira will be able to let us know how best to slay them." Insisted Imoen, Jaheira nodding in response.

"Either way, we ought to prepare. That means salvaging what we can of the Golems that Tarnesh used to attack us and stocking up on gear." I intoned.

"Aye, ye'll need it." Huffed Sergeant Korgoth.

And with that, we headed out to do just that. I managed to grab a number of upgrades from the nimblewright, and between all the materials lying around, we managed to sell it all off and stock up on enough gear with Bentley Mirrorshades that we were confident we would be able to deal with the Ankhegs infesting Brun's Farm. By the time we had finished with all that, however, Lieutenant Jacobi and his Squad had already left. I had a sneaking suspicion that we would be seeing them again down the line, though, and not just because we had to stop in at the Flaming Fist Watch House in Nashkel to cash in the bounty. They seemed like they were the sort of people to get involved in bigger events. Regardless, we headed back to our rooms to sleep the rest of the night and regain our strength.

After all, when tomorrow dawned, we would be headed to Lower Chionthar and Brun's farm to slay the Ankhegs in their den. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we have the next chapter. Lieutenant Jacobi, Brother Artan, and Sergeant Korgoth are going to be recurring characters on and off all the way through the events of Siege of Dragonspear. I wanted to get a chapter featuring them out as well as set up the Ankheg quest, so this is largely that. The stuff at the end about gearing up from the remains of the Golems was largely done off-screen because the gear they got for it all was already put on their character sheets. The Nimblewright and Silver Golems alone have five hundred pounds of Electrum and Five Hundred Pounds of Silver on them, to say nothing of the price of glass. Thankfully, Bentley Mirroshades was able to finance the stuff largely because a bunch of it got sent back to him via gear purchases.

At any rate, the next chapter will feature the return to Lower Chionthar and the start of the Ankheg Quest. That's going to take at least two chapters, thanks to a random encounter on the road. I'll also have some more images out before then as well.

Stay tuned. . .