The Tale of James the Lesser

[Squat45]

Chapter 1: Caravan Journey

I have left Luskan with no qualms about my journey, for there is naught by evil memories there. Unfortunately for me, my journey did little to exorcise those memories! About three days from my destination we were betrayed from within... it seems like 3 or 4 of the hired caravan guards took off with much of our gear... including some items of no small value of mine. There was a trail and following it lead us into an ambush... and after losing another 3 caravan guards the search was called off...

So I begin my new calling with only minimal gear. Luckily, I had slept in my armour that night and always keep my longsword handy... or I'd have been left with even less. As it stands, I have much work to do, but my suffering is just another form of blessing from Ilmater.

From my time growing up in that accursed orphanage, to the abuse from my fellow orphans and my teachers... and up until my tutelage in the ways of the Lord of Suffering, it has always been a time of suffering for me. Now, I am taller and stronger than most, my tutelage under the priests of Ilmater was quick and productive... but I still keep the name given to me when I was but 13 years old...

I had begun to grow, and grow tall. By the time I was 12 I was nearly as tall as most normal men... and by 13 I was taller than anyone else at the orphanage... and I was probably stronger as well. Looking back on the time now, I could have left... I could have used my size and my strength to do anything, to break free of the tyranny and the abuse. But too many years under the yoke of oppression was too hard to shake off... so I did nothing.

I was called 'the Lesser', I think to continue to humble me. There was no other James in the orphanage... so I was less than nothing... less than a nobody... and reminded of that often. I was given tasks now even more degrading than I had as a child... tasks even beneath those that Luskanites would give to criminals, or to slaves.

It was only upon my suffering being witnessed by a passing priest of Ilmater did my life change. I was soon in the employ of the temple there, and my studies began to becoming a priest. The kindly priests at the temple tried to recondition me, and were partially successful... but it took many, many moons to begin to just undo the damage caused.

I was trained in harnessing the power of prayer to call upon the power of Ilmater, and learned quickly. I was taught to rebuke the forces of undeath, the ultimate suffering. I was taught the power of healing the wounds of the afflicted. Only then, after I was taught all that they could offer me, was a weapon placed in my hand.

This opened up a new avenue in my life. Never before had a weapon been placed in my hands before... not even a knife... Perhaps the masters at my orphanage were afraid of giving someone my size a weapon, or perhaps none of the unfortunate children there had access... but the first time I felt a weapon in my hand, even a wooden practice sword, I felt a new power... I knew that I could end suffering not only by my prayers, but also through the strength and skill in my arms... should other avenues become exhausted.

Again I learned fast... and soon I was blessed as a full priest of Ilmater. My calling had become. Luskan, however, had many evil memories in it, and my superiors felt that a change in scenery would help... so to Sundren City I have traveled to find my calling here. I will shortly present myself here, to help in the ways that I can to end suffering the best way that I can... I have already helped a few... but there are so many to help...

My journey is yet to begin, for that, I am sure!

[Squat45]

Chapter 2

Mordicai always said that I'd amount to nothing... at least he didn't beat me like all the others... of course, being 82 years old and a cripple didn't mean that he couldn't still hurt...

My first day in Sundren City was what I've come to expect. After spending what little coin I had left to purchase a few potions... I headed on out to some hills. A pleasant journey, and I was told that there would be some adventure there...

In the camp I rested from my journey and healed a few soldier that had been wounded in some battle or another... The place was busy, and not only the soldiers. There were travelers all around, someone fishing, and just all sorts of people standing around. Gathering my courage I introduced myself to a young woman and her companions. She introduced herself as Nynaeve... Ilmater only knows if I spelled that correctly. The others talked but did not introduce themselves, so I have no idea who else I met.

We were chatting a bit and then a goblin shot an arrow at us... and then another. Well, that got people moving faster than the rats in the orphanage during mealtime... I was expecting a massive goblin attack, but only single goblins came to attack. Dumb, even for goblins. We were talking about this and wondering why when another traveler came running up and said that a dark necromancer was in the hills.

I thought the goblins got everyone ready... but this, this really sent the adventurers into a tizzy. It seems like many of them have had contact with this necromancer and prepared to fight him. They wished that they could inform someone named Kai Nightwing. Since I knew enough that I was going to not be of much help, I offered to go find Kai.

Have I mentioned that my endeavors usually amount to nothing... some call it luck. Mordicai always said that I was useless because of my ineptitude. My superiors training me in Ilmater simply said that Ilmater tests me... a priest of Tymora said that Lady Luck had it in for me...

In any case, I ran to the Military District to the Temple Barracks of the Triumvirate to find Kai. I looked all over, trying to get the priests there to help me, but could not find them. I was about to despair when Nynaeve came in looking for Kai. When I told her that I could not find him, she rushed off, telling me to follow her.

Well, she ran fast... and I turned a wrong corner... and I have no idea where she went. So I went back to the temple to pray a bit before heading to my room... perhaps I'll see her again and make amends.

[Squat45]

Chapter 3: Over my Head

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever amount to anything. There is a part of me that keeps saying that I should just retire to some small farming community and lead a simple life. I try to ignore that part of me, as I hear Mordicai's voice even then telling me that I'd still do nothing right.

I was wandering through the Temple Barracks of the Triumvirate and walked down some stairs... I was in some sort of crypt... thinking that I should probably go back up, I continued on just a bit... this was a place of adventure, I knew it, and perhaps I could find something down here to fix my luck.

After only a few steps, I was ambushed by 2 skeletons. Figures, I had lost my mace in the theft and only had a longsword... not much use against skeletons. I probably would have done better off to smash them with my shield, but I hacked away as best as I could. Eventually the skeletons were simply a pile of bone fragments and I picked up a rusty longsword and a shield. Knowing that the skeletons were a blight to the entombed, I resolved myself to find something a bit better to combat them with.

So off to find a more suitable weapon... and eventually, I found a nice little warhammer. Better than a mace, much better, and off I was again to the crypt. I had just walked in when there began the series of bells calling all the faithful to worship. Knowing I should attend, I did.

Wow, I didn't realize that there were so many... and I was glad to see Nyn again. I don't know if she recognized me, but she looked stunning in a dress... much better than armour. Claude of Tyr officiated the service, and it was obvious that he was held by all. The topic of the sermon was interesting, it seems as if the more militant of the good orders are joining together to combat a great evil. Tyr, Torm, Helm, Lathander and Ilmater all together... very interesting. To fight the Black Hand... while I am not very familiar with that name, I can only assume that they are followers of Bane.

One very scary thing was that Claude mentioned that many more priests, paladins and monks will be coming and that battle will be joined... I became a bit self conscious, as I am a priest... but what good can I do... I am just a simple orphan and not much good at anything.

After the sermon, we did introductions... and I finally found out who this Kai Nightwing is... some sort of leader or head of the Vigilant Eye, and of course, a follower of Helm. There was also Fox, Tamara, Nyn and a few others, including a drow. I was a bit startled by her appearance, for I have only heard stories, stories that would not have indicated her presence at a temple of good. However, I was told that she is a follower of Eillistrae and under the protection of the church.

Claude then introduced Alaric, a paladin, who charged us all with a quest to aid the church of Kelemvor. It seems like a paladin of Kelemvor, or at least a companion, I was unable to determine which, was entombed in the crypts below... the crypts that I had just made a small venture in. Well, it seems as if the paladin's tomb might have been defiled, and that a quest was going to be undertaken to cleanse this evil.

Now, looking at all the others, except maybe Fox, I could tell that these men and women were very serious and skilled with their weapons. I felt that I should hang back and pray, for I surely could not be much use... I should have taken my own advice...

We left, and shortly after fought creatures that far surpassed anything that I could hope to even fight. I was told to stay out of the way, and easily did. A few more chambers in and there was a magically locked door. There was an inscription on it indicating that only a follower of Ilmater could open it... I volunteered, for even though there was another priest of the Broken god, if this were to be a trap better that I fall than he... and the door opened.

More chambers, more fighter... or as I did, watching, and we got farther. Eventually we were ambushed at those in back had to fight. Fox fell under the onslaught and I was close... but I managed to get myself out of the fray a bit. Luckily, there were those in our party of great power, and Fox was brought back to us.

Eventually as we fought our way closer I entered into combat a little more freely, feeling confident for the first time that I would survive... that I could be of help. I fought on the edges, using my warhammer and helping out companions, trying to flank the enemy in specific spots and doing what little I could. Eventually, I ran out of spells and potions, and had little else to offer the group... Shortly thereafter I was wounded in battle, and rather than take needed resources from the group, I left the group and headed back to the surface... the way was not long and there were no more obstacles in my way.

I hope that Nyn, Kai and the others are not disappointed... but their mission in this was only going to be further jeopardized by my continuing with them... for they would have to watch over me and to use healing on me to keep me alive...

I want back to the surface and prayed for each of my companions, then went to my room to heal up a bit and reflect on the last couple of days...

[Squat45]

Chapter 4: A Loner's Tale

I had no friends growing up... why? Well, an orphanage is a strange place to grow up... and Mordicai did not allow any of us to remain close. There was Adamo, a boy a year older than I was when I was seven... but then Adamo was sold. Thomas as well when I was ten, and Joren at 13. I was one of the few never to be sold, to stay at the orphanage the entire time.

Mordicai always said it was because I was no good, that I was lazy and ugly... but I now know that it was because I could do things that no one else could, surely not Mordicai or his son Demarcus. 'Take this pile of stones upstairs' or 'Move the wood in the woodpile', these were the chores of my youth...

I sit here in the tavern, sipping a bitter ale, thinking over the trails of my youth. I sit here with a worn pack, a slightly dented warhammer and an oft-repaired suit of chainmail. I sit here alone with but my thoughts, having met few in this place... I struggle with the feeling that as soon as I make a friend that Mordicai will come and the friend will disappear... I struggle with the feeling that I am unworthy to belong.

But there is hope... Kegan Deverell, a fellow priest of the broken god has contacted me... he is the one who convinced me to go on the quest earlier... it seems like he may have a gift of armour for me. I could surely use it...

Ilmater, I pledge to go out soon and to ease the suffering of those that suffer... and to meet new people... for sometimes, suffering is not visible to all.