In retrospect, I really should have seen this time of reckoning coming for me.
We took the time to regale our adventures to Khalid and Jaheira. I really didn't need to elaborate much though.
It turned out, my efforts at building up my reputation did indeed bear fruit already. In terms of achievements, my dealing with hobgoblins and the news of the basilisks being cleared were the most significant. Joia and Tamah really did come through for me. The real shocker was how much sway Firebead had over popular opinion. The old distinguished elf had been speaking well of me, and apparently he was a man of influence. It was always odd in the game, but seeing how that was translated into the world was unexpected.
None of this was lost on Jaheira and Khalid, of course. Here they were waiting for me, while tracking my movements from afar. Not just through my reputation an actions, but also because they had access to the Harper's information network.
Oh, that's right. If it wasn't obvious from their affiliation with Elminster, both Jaheira and Khalid were Harpers. I didn't know it when I played the first time around, but the Harpers are a huge, huge, HUGE deal in Faerun. At least they are to adventurers, since Harpers act like watchdogs of the realms which intervene whenever some sinister plot is afoot.
Once we were done telling war stories, Jaheira coughed. "I think you left out something."
I raise an eyebrow. "I think we covered everything?"
"You missed the part where you explain why you kept me and Khalid waiting all this time! And only now came to check on us knowing we were waiting!"
How did they know I knew they were waiting for me?… Elminster. I told him I read his letter. It must have been he who convinced them to stay here all this time, in spite of the trouble in the south calling their attention.
It's not like I could tell them the real reason. Because if I recruited them right away, for some inexplicable reason they'd start out at level 1 instead of a more reasonable number reflective of their experience.
"Uh, you're not staying at the Friendly Arm Inn on vacation? Or waiting for the bandit raids to clear up before moving?" I asked. "Nobody really said what you were doing here."
"You should have checked before assuming, young man!"
Young man, huh? Okay, I think I knew how to go about this. I say back and crossed my arms. "Yeah, this is right here is why," I said, then turned to Imoen. "Remember? We were trying to avoid this."
Imoen nodded. "Yeap. I remember. You called it."
Jaheira and Khalid looked at each other, confused. "Care to elaborate, young one?" Jaheira
"It's the attitude. You're my father's friends and have seniority. But we wanted to talk to you two on equal terms. Not be talked down to. I get that plenty enough already."
"Oh yeah. Now that you mention it, I totally see it now," Neera said. She crossed her arms. "So not into it."
"We decided to build experience first. Get our hands wet in the field, show some initiative," I continued. "Then maybe we'd earn the respect of veterans."
"Obviously that isn't the case," Imoen added.
The table was quiet a moment, letting the awkwardness sink in.
"Maybe you'd earn respect if you showed us more consideration," Jaheira said, breaking the silence.
"I apologise for making you both wait. I had a lot on my mind, and overlooked that you may have other things to do than stay here. I certainly had no way of knowing you were here just for me," I said.
"Well, good. That's all that needed to be said."
Was it now. I just waited.
Jaheira sighed. "Why did you even come to us at all, in that case? Why not just talk to us, then go your own way?"
"Because you are my father's friends. I do actually want you around. Just, maybe not getting treated like children. The gods know, I get plenty enough of that as is."
I may not be telling the whole truth. But nothing I said then wasn't true. My feelings on the matter were genuine, and I wanted them to understand this going forward.
Again, we sat in awkward silence for awhile.
"Ja-ja-jaheira," was all Khalid said to his wife.
Jaheira raised her hands in surrender. "It's a tough ask. You're our old friend's young ward, so we may be tempted to provide guidance in Gorion's stead. But we'll try to treat you all like the adults you are, going forward. Principal word here is 'try'. And only as long as we're given due consideration in turn. Sounds reasonable?"
I looked to Imoen and Neera, and they nodded back to me. "Those terms are agreeable," I replied.
"Then let's eat. I'm famished from all the talk. We can work out other details after a full stomach."
Later, after a hearty meal, Jaheira broached a rather sensitive topic.
"After all that talk on equal footing and all, this is going to come off sounding bad. But we do actually need to establish who does the leading and who does the following in this party," she said carefully. "It doesn't have to be me. But there are clear advantages to having the most experienced person in charge."
Imoen put up her hand. "Sonny should call the shots. I have very good reasons. Don't you agree, Neera?"
"What are you… oh! Oh yeah, I've definitely learned my lesson. Sonny should lead."
I looked at the two pink irritations quizzically. Not that I didn't like the vote of confidence, but their behavior was super suspicious.
Imoen and Neera wanted some privacy to talk about something with Jaheira.
"Get ye out. Let the girls talk," Imoen instructed me. "Khalid, accompany Sonny so he doesn't eavesdrop."
Jaheira nodded to Khalid, and out we went. They called us back in when they were done.
Jaheira was… smiling? I didn't know what to make of that face. "Amazingly enough, we have come to an agreement. I must say, it warms the heart to hear that Gorion's own ward has proven himself a leader with great foresight- Ack!"
Jaheira was reacting to being kicked under the table. Jaheira gave Imoen a look and kicked her back, to Imoen's displeasure.
"As I was saying, a leader with foresight and …frugality. There are other qualities necessary for leaders to have but these are an excellent start. Perhaps you may even do your foster father proud."
I raised an eyebrow. "Bringing up Gorion's name to put pressure on me? That's hardly fair. But I should tell you that while Gorion did instill certain moral values in me, he expected me to show some independence. I work towards certain moral goals, but I have my own ways of getting there."
"Is-is-isn't it usually the other way around? The-the-the ends should not justify the means?" Khalid blurted out.
"Moral concerns normally emphasizes the means rather than the end result, yes," Jaheira said in agreement.
"Think of it as a disagreement in philosophy. We're still trying to meet the same goals but may have different methods of reaching our goals. We can work out an agreeable balance as we go," I conceded. "In any case, I take it there are no other disagreements about leadership of the party, going forward?"
"It's your time to shine, oh authoritative figure," Jaheira said with a smile. "As seniors, we should provide my counsel where possible. But we shall trust your judgement. For now."
"Good. In that case, I think we can update you both about our little agreement with representatives of a mystery organisation. Probably the Zhentarim."
Jaheira and Khalid both nearly choked on their drinks.
"…I may have regret my words sooner than I expected," Jaheira said.
"So Xzar and Montaron's mysterious organisation wants to investigate the iron crisis too," Jaheira summarised what we shared. "I'm still not hearing the bit where that means they're working for the Zhentarim."
"Well, they specifically said their primary concern was to find out who was to blame for the iron crisis. Instead of, say, to stop it. Which organisation is currently being blamed for the iron crisis?"
"The Zhentarim," Jaheira replied immediately. She tapped her fingers on the table, deep in thought. "Not exactly definitive, but there are implications. And if it is true the Zhentarim are investigating the iron crisis, then from there are other implications."
"That could mean the Zhentarim really aren't to blame!" Imoen exclaimed. "But if that is the case, who is? Who could possibly benefit from an iron crisis?"
"Smart girl. I like you already," Jaheira said, lifting a mug to her.
"We met a group of iron-seeking bandits which were all hobgoblin. Is that normal, around these parts?" Neera added.
Jaheira considered the question. "Hobgoblin raids are a dime a dozen. But hobgoblins looking for iron, trying to make an iron crisis even worse? Hobgoblins are more organized than the average tasloi or xvart, but that level of intrigue is a bit beyond them."
Khalid smiled and patted me on the shoulder. "We haven't even reached Nashkel yet. But we have already found some clues. Not bad work."
I smiled in appreciation. "But there's a limit to what we can discover without heading to the source of the problems," I said. "I do believe Nashkel is calling."
But first, we needed to prepare our new party members.
At first glance, Jaheira and Khalid looked like terrible additions to the team. They're both fighters (well, fighter/druid in Jaheira's case) with only 15 Strength, the minimum needed to use good armor and certainly not enough to have bonuses to Thac0 nor damage. Khalid in particular is well known for morale failure due whenever his hit points dropped low.
And yet, looks can be deceiving. Over time they become excellent contributors to the party. Khalid is one of the best tanks in the game due to his decent Dexterity and Constitution (the other being Kagain), while Jaheira provided both druid spells and off-tanking. Jaheira wasn't yet the powerhouse in BG1 that she would become in the final stages of the Bhaalspawn saga, but she certainly would be very useful to have around.
If I had not wanted Khalid and/or Jaheira, for a good playthrough my other warrior options were Minsc and Atjantis. Atjantis is a paladin located in the area just north of the Friendly Arm Inn, and some folks make a beeline to recruit him over other possible warriors. Atjantis makes for a decent tank who prefers to use bastard swords. we would find Minsc in Nashkel.
For their level ups, Khalid was a level 4 fighter and I had him push up Longsword to +++. Jaheira was a level 3/3 Fighter/druid, and I got her to learn Scimitar+. She had 4 level 1 spell slots and 1 level 2 spell slot.
When I first played the original game I had always wondered how come Gorion's longtime friends were so, well, inexperienced when I first met them. Thankfully, as the expected result of our not-quite-power-levelling, Khalid and Jaheira's levels had adjusted to my party as above. So I couldn't really accuse them of being completely green around the ears anymore. But they were still really badly equipped! I was prepared for that too, though.
The plate mail, longsword +1, Ring of the Princes +1, Golden Girdle, longbow and 20 arrows+1 went the Khalid, and I bought him more arrows and a large shield. Jaheira exchanged her leather armour (really, just leather armour!) with Khalid's splint mail. I bought Jaheira a helmet, a club, a large shield, a sling and some bullets. Jaheira brought along her own Invisibility potion (score!) and Khalid brought 1 healing potion.
With those level and equipment adjustments, Khalid and I were the most accurate attackers on the team, 13 THAC0 with Longswords and 12 THAC0 with slings respectively. Khalid was also the team tank with an AC of -1. I gave Neera the Girdle of Piercing because as a low hp back-liner she has the most to fear from arrows.
In spite of my quibbles, after we gave Landrin his items, we were back up to 2408 gold. You'd better believe that every penny counts. Er, very gold piece.
As I was purchasing basic equipment for Khalid and Jaheira and handing them magical equipment, I couldn't help but give them a look of frustration.
Jaheira pretended not to notice my glare, but gave a low whistle when he husband Khalid was checking out all his new gear. "You have been making some good use of your time, I see. Barely a week out of Candlekeep and you've acquired this much. How very efficient! And you even thought to bring a set of plate mail all the way here just for Khalid. Foresight indeed!"
Why did I feel like she was not actually complimenting me? I wasn't even sure what gripe she was trying to bring up with me exactly. Imoen was giving Jaheira the side eye, but not saying anything.
Do all women communicate in this roundabout manner and expect you to get their meaning?
Khalid whispered to me. "D-d-don't argue with her. Just nod, and say yes."
Like hell I would!