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Xzar’s First Nashkel Report
Dearest Diary,
Today, I had some nice frog legs with some fava beans and a glass of chianti at the Belching Dragon. I wanted frog tongue too, since it’s nice and long and chewy, but they didn’t have any. I asked for the rest of the frog, but they didn’t know where it went.
I got plenty of sleep last night, in my own room, without Monty there. I do not like him being around.
Monty says I should stop calling you “dearest diary”, but what are these reports if not diaries? I still don’t love him. I had hoped to–we’re on a glorious adventure. Aren’t we supposed to be friends? Can I get a new Monty? Since I did so good in the mines?
The only bad things that happened in the mines were: (1) the Harpers survived, and (2) so did Monty. If he dies though, can I get a new, different one, or do I have to reanimate him? No one was very clear.
The two girls from Candlekeep are surprisingly competent, despite their inexperience. They both show an aptitude for magic, which I appreciate. I’m sure Mommy would as well. Monty doesn’t, of course, but the only good taste he has is in knives.
The creature behind the problems in the mine was an orc leading many kobolds. I collected many kobold eyes and tongues for experiments, and even some recipes. I have written a recipe for Kobold Eye Soup on the back of this report. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
The orc was called Mulahey, and he was working with someone named Tranzig, who works for someone else and frequents Beregost.
We also made a new friend! His name is Xan. He is a sad sort. He reminds me of me a bit, on the inside, when Monty is around. He is an elf, and has infravision. I’ve always wanted infravision, too! Did I ever tell you about the time that I took an elf eye and replaced one of my own eyes with it? That’s when I learned that to get infravision, ‘tis more than just taking the eyes. And I spent so long finding an elf that matched my eye color!
The girls, the Harpers, and Xan went ahead to Beregost to meet with Tranzig while we finish up here in Nashkel. Monty and I suspect they want to be rid of us. But I’m sure we will meet up again. No one can be rid of Monty, and Monty cannot be rid of me. We have tried.
Until next time, dearest diary,
Xzar.
Xzar’s Second Nashkel Report
Dearest Diary,
A dead body of some farmer was found today, but I wasn’t allowed to keep it. I was, however, allowed to examine it! The villagers had called upon the “heroes of Nashkel” to help investigate, which means just me and Monty, since the others are away.
It was disgusting, being called a hero. But not as disgusting as being in agreement with Monty.
The villagers seemed disappointed that it was just the two of us. I related to their disappointment–I also am disappointed about being around Monty.
But I did so good as a detective! The farmer was seen just the other day, but the state of decay of the corpse meant that the body had been dead for several weeks. I casted a spell to speak with him. He was uninterested in my kobold tongue recipe, but he did say that he was murdered at first “by a servant”, but then the servant changed “into himself” on the night of the full moon.
Monty thinks the dead man was insane, but I know better.
Monty, of course, is unobservant and didn’t realize that the full moon was several weeks ago until I told him. I always remember when the full moon is, because I see a rabbit in the full moon, and it makes me hungry.
I hope I don’t have to explain to you what this means.
Until next time, my dear diary,
Xzar
Xzar’s Third Nashkel Report
Dearest Diary,
A stranger came into town. He said that he is a famous detective from Baldur’s Gate, but neither Monty nor I have ever heard of him. He said that he would help us investigate the crime. But Monty and I don’t want to share the reward. I already have to share the reward with Monty, which is just as much of a crime as the murder.
But then the stranger said that he didn’t want the reward. Monty and I think he’s lying. I hate how often I agree with him the past few days. Luckily, we had a disagreement soon after.
The stranger wants to meet us in the fields after dark. Monty didn’t want to, so naturally, I accepted.
It is time to meet the stranger. I will update you soon.
***
We had the most thrilling time with the famous detective! Under the light of the waxing moon, we saw the famous detective shift into me! Could you imagine? A second me? How wonderful that would be! He even had his own knives with him!
Monty ruined it, of course. He killed the second me! The second me was talking, too! Something about more doppelgangers. But Monty killed him–or me–before the explanation was finished!
Does that mean I can finally kill Monty? Since he killed me, in a way? Please let me know immediately.
The most interesting thing happened to the second me when I died. The second me morphed into a pale, thin, gangly white creature. It was very exciting.
We had never killed a *doppleganger* before. I collected several ingredients from it, of course. Maybe I could turn Monty into a toad. Then he wouldn’t be Monty anymore, and I’d be allowed to be rid of him, right?
Please let me know immediately,
Xzar
Xzar’s First Beregost Report
Dearest Diary,
We were hailed as heroes again, and it was disgusting. I acted happy though, because Monty wasn’t, and I can’t stand agreeing with him. Certainly not publicly!
The villagers, idiotic as they are, needed me to explain what happened to them. I know I don’t have to explain to *you* what happened, but I will tell you what I explained to the villagers, for the sake of completeness.
The doppelganger had killed John and taken his place. But when the body was found, he couldn’t be John anymore, so he turned into the “Famous Detective”. He lured us out into the field. I wanted to be friends with him, since he turned into me, but Monty killed him.
We were rewarded. Monty wants my share of the reward, since he did the killing, but I said no.
The day got even worse when we met up with the Harpers in Beregost. They were not happy to see Monty. This is fair, because I am never happy to see him either. But no one can get rid of Monty, which means that our reunion with the Harpers was inevitable.
Please let me know if I can kill him for killing the second me, or if I could at least get a new Monty. But not a second Monty–I don’t want to deal with two of him.
Until next time,
Xzar