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What David Gaider Did NOT Have In Mind When He Wrote The Romances for HOTU by Meeszy Alexy
(Rhaine Steel is my blackguard PC, and every other character is Bioware's.)
*
Rhaine Steel was pissed off.
And I mean seriously pissed off.
The Seer wants me to fight this gigantic beast?! She thought to herself, as she sneaked past Sodalis and went into Vix'thra's sanctum. She snorted. Why should I? I'm not getting paid... I should just sneak by him and get his treasure hoard.
And so the hero of Underentide ignored the captivating dracolich, stole his/her/its treasure, and sneaked out before he could sense that there was a presence in his/her/its cave.
*
One chapter of plot later, Rhaine was talking to the Knower of Names, after freeing her from her icy prison.
"Thank you, Nez'elben the Selfish, Scourge of Cania, and the agent of my freedom. Long have I-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever, just gimme some true names, already!."
The Knower's sad look was replaced with a look of annoyance. Rhaine ignored the look, as well as her tiefling companion Valen's glare in her direction. Since their meeting, they never got along with each other, and it was a miracle that they still travelled together. Her other companion, Deekin Scalesinger, her "erstwhile kobold companion", did not really seem to be bothered about this, however, and was scribbling down notes of the conversation for his new book, "Hordes of the Underdark".
"Ah, True Names... Every name has its price and every price a name. The gods declare it so. Now whose True Name do you wish to know?" the Knower asked, straining to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
Rhaine paused for a moment, and then brought out 300,000 gold pieces for Deekin and Valen's true names. Deekin happily went along with it, but Valen knew no good would come out of it - especially as no good really came from Rhaine at all.
"Alright, so..." Rhaine pondered for a moment before saying, "Give me the name of the Sleeping Man's true love."
The Knower said, "The gods demand a sacrifice of 300,000 gold if you are to learn the True Name of the Sleeping Man's one true love... Are you willing to make that sacrifice?"
"Yes, here is the 300,000 gold the gods demand." Rhaine said with a smirk. She had it all planned out - she'd return to the temple, and then she'd order him to give her lots of gold in exchange for his true love's name...
"The Sleeping Man's one true love is... It is you, Hellwalker..."
Rhaine's jaw dropped. What?! Damn the gods... tormenting me like this!
After a few seconds, she finally replied, "T-that's horrible! This can't be happening to me!"
"Love is a hard, hard thing but I admit, this is not the reaction I had expected. The gods have seen fit to have an angel love you with all his heart. Why do you fight this?" the Knower asked curiously.
"He's a bloody angel, for crying out loud!" Rhaine yelled in annoyance.
"As I warned you, knowledge has its price. You have asked to see what the gods have written upon the stars and I have told you. Now you must live with the consequences... Is there more you wish to learn?"
Rhaine scowled, and paid for the true names of the Sleeping Man, the Knower, Mephistopheles, and finally, the Reaper's.
After retrieving the Reaper's true name, she said "I must return to the City of Lost Souls. Can you get me there?"
"I can... Nel'zeben the Selfish, you have found the name that you have sought. Go now to the City of Lost Souls that you might there pursue your destiny."
*
Rhaine arrived at the Temple of the Sleeping Man, thanks to the Knower's spell. Or not, as she put it. She didn't want to see him - especially if she told him that she was his one true love. He'd slobber all over her and follow her around like an idiot puppy. Rhaine couldn't stand that. Love was for the weak, in her opinion. The Sleeping Man came up to her, his cut from her blade healed and asked her, "Why have you come here? Have you found my one true love?"
"I have learned the name of your one true love." Rhaine said slowly.
"You have? Please, you must tell me everything! Start at the beginning. What is her name, that I might know her when she arrives?" He sounded so excited at this. Why? Love is boring - fighting is better! Rhaine thought.
Rhaine took a deep breath, and thought of the first thing in her head. "It is... Vic'torza the... Ivoryboned, known as... er, Vix'thra." Rhaine hoped her lie would convince him - though she had no idea why she thought of Vix'thra.
"Vic'torza." He turned the name upon his tongue. "Interesting... what is she like?"
"Um, I'm not sure if she's a she, actually... I think she's an it... but anyway, it's tall, white and handsome, and she's actually in the Underdark, in Drearing's Deep. The Knower of Places lied to you because she wanted you for herself..."
"What?! I must go there straightaway!" He prepared to fly.
"Wait!" Rhaine had a sudden idea. When the Sleeping Man ignored her, Rhaine said, "Celesfa'ar the Patient!"
The angel froze. "I do not like your tone of voice nor the ease with which it speaks my name." He said slowly. "What is it that you ask of me?"
Rhaine's pale face contorted into a twisted smile at the thought of Vix'thra eating the Sleeping Man. "Take us all with you."