I think you are right about the morally neutral characters. They are often not played well on the persistant worlds I play on and even the lawful good guys often look almost like their mirror images.

I usually play neutral or neutral good characters. As my current main character Nedylene Rahn, her nickname is Nedy, I often come across neutral characters or even some lawful neutral or lawful or neutral evil that I find more forthright toward Nedy than many of the Lawful Goods. The Paragons of viture are often lacking in something that well makes them human. Nedylene fights for her right to be and be left alone to pursue her life as her heart and faith dictate. She is a priestess of Eilistraee and a warrior of a family/ house that never in their hearts turned away from the light. The just tried to survive the best they could with the situation life gave them.

You see in the backstory invented for her she is the First Daughter of a noble house. Only this noble house first survived teh fall of Miyeritar at the end of the First Crown War and they returned to a nomadic existance for at time and did not settle until nearly the end of the Second Crown War. This whole time though the thought themselves of their tribe of Dark Elves.

In their wonderings they knew of the terrible crimes of their cousins the Ilythiiri and did nothing to aid against them. That is why they feel that those that were good of heart, but just trying to survive were cursed by the Descent of the Drow just as those that turned from the Elven Gods, warred againsth their brethren in the name of Araushnae (Lolth) and slept with Lolth's demonic allies. It is the taint of the demons like Wendonai and other allies of Lolth that have truly cursed the Drow, not just their turning against the gods and goddesses of the Seldarine (Elven Gods).

I play Nedylene as a warrior scholar. In her life she's been always a priestess, but she has been a ranger, a bard, a normal fighter, a shadow dancer, acrane archer, and a divine champion. (When I change servers I change the mix of classes from time to time).

I play Nedylene as battling her Drowness trying to be an advocate for the Light against the darkness. Even though some see her for what she truly is she is seen by the average Elf or Human as nothing more than a tainted darkelf. She is not a Drizzt clone. For one she is female, two she never had a panther following her around even as a little stone figurine, three when she walked as a ranger she walked with a wolf at her side.

Nedylene is like 140 or so years old and fought in the Neverwinter-Luskan War, fought in the war against the Valsharess. (If you want your character to meet up with her just write her in as a member of the Seer's army. She's been a mercenary, but for only the just and right causes. If you use her as a bit character she is not here for the money. Her mother knows the Seer and sent Nedylene to aid her. Nedylene is also the product of a fuedal society so she does do what is asked of her, but tempers that obligation with a sense of mercy and right.)

You can't get much different from what I've been doing with a similar idea than this. And that's a good thing. :) I have to say I'd completely forgotten about Aerie, but I never used her much. Nice twist. Anyway thought I'd just give you a thumbs up if nothing else.

You've got an amazing storyline going here. I'm surprised that a story this well written hasn't gotten more attention, but I guess most of the NWN fanbase has abandoned ship by now. This more morally ambiguous heroine is very interesting to read about. I love how you get a sense of age and weariness from her-that line about how she had boots older than Valen was pretty funny. I'm glad to see she and Nathyrra are warming up to each other, and that progress is being made on the Valen front. I have to ask though, will you be following the Valen-romance plotline, or keeping this platonic? A pairing between an ex-Bhaalspawn and a tanar'ri who struggles against his taint-now that would be an interesting relationship to watch develop. I'll be keeping my eye out for the next chapter.

I haven't read any stories with the Bhaalspawn as a protagonist for NWN but I like it a lot. It makes sense in a way. Glad you won't be abandoning it. Alasse seems like a very interesting character and morally neutral enough to fit with her story.

What timeline are you working with? Canonically, HoTU takes place in 1372 which is also the year the Bhaalspawn saga ends (although it started in 1368 and I doubt it took 4 years to complete...) so her husband couldn't have died of old age. Can't wait to read the next chapter.

Sometimes I really don't understand how great fics like this one can go so under reviewed. Then again, this fandom is fairly quiet. Okay, rant over with I have to say that I was overjoyed that you have picked up the gauntlet so to speak and have written a NWN2 fic with a Bhaalspawn protagonist. That you can do the idea justice is fabulous.

In terms of writing style and technique, you get full points. I wasn't even half way through the first chapter when my eyes glued themselves to the monitor. I also like how skillfully you're revealing more about Alasse's past and gently developing her as a character.

As for the plot... so far so damn good ;). The addition of Aerie in the last chapter was perfectly done. It made perfect sense for her to take the place of the original cleric. Her issues and insecurities made perfect sense reversed and warped by the mirror. I have to admit I wouldn't mind a few cameos in future chapters if they can be fit in.

You asked us to guess who Alasse's husband might be. Given the popularity of the mod and some of the spoilers I've read, I'd guess it was Kelsey? Then again it could practically be anyone. There are some fantastic mods out there that have had me revising my opinions about characters. Even Sarevok had an excellent romance mod. I look forward to learning who Alasse romanced and what the relationship was like and what happened.

Great job with this story! I love Alasse and her attitude! Great idea including Aerie in the avariel city! I hope she and Alasse meet and are able to speak to each other again! Keep writing :D

Great story! I love Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights and this is one of the only stories about that! Keep it up! :D

Ooh, my two favorite games! Very tasty story. Can't wait to read the next installment. My only suggestion has to do with your interspersing Drow words into the dialogue with the translation immediately following in parentheses: I find that it interrupts the flow of the prose and disrupts my enjoyment. Perhaps a mini-glossary at the end of each chapter, or a parenthetical translation at the end of the sentence? I don't think you need quite so many Drow words to give your readers the flavor of being in the Underdark. Otherwise - good job! I'm very interested to see how this plays out, and to find out more backstory on Alasse - when was the last time she saw Imoen? Who was in her party for her Bhaalspawn adventures? Will Bhaal's legacy have something to do with her HotU adventures? Y'know, fun stuff.