Since its release in 2001, the Neverwinter Nights series has been the cornerstone of inspiration for me throughout my life. Although many do not find the original campaign to be particularly good, I personally loved it. Below, you will find a companion that could fit in the original campaign, as well as a quest introduction to cure her ailing son.
This is the introductory section of a longer branching quest. Additional segments available on request.
Companion: Elara Lúmiel
Race: Moon Elf (Teu-tel'quessir)
Age: 230
Class: Sorcerer
Deity: Sehanine Moonbow
Origin: Evermeet, Island of Elves
Inspection lore:
A perpetually forlorn smile lingers on this young moon elf’s countenance, telling of a life lived bereft of fortune and luxury. Light auburn curls cascade below her collar, framing a fair and youthful countenance whose glittering cerulean greens are wont to regard others with apprehension and unease. A voice, though rarely summoned, echoes forth like whispers carried on autumnal winds, its eloquence befitting the poets of her ancestral home. Her slender form’s language echoes that crestfallen demeanour of hers, appearing rather guarded and wary. When she speaks, one cannot help but notice that she’s never really present. Lost in reverie, perhaps?
Backstory:
In the aftermath of Kymil Nimesin's devastating invasion of Evermeet in 1371 DR, Elara fled the Green Isle with her infant son, who was born with a wasting sickness unknown to even the most venerable healers in the elven sanctuary. With her homeland in ruins and her hopes of finding a cure dwindling, her journey led her to the city of Neverwinter, where she sought the guidance of Tyr's faithful in a final, desperate bid to save her beloved son. But, no sooner had they arrived, than the Wailing Death began its grim descent upon the city in 1372 DR.
Quest: Help an ailing mother
Quest Type: Narrative-driven side quest (Companion)
NPC: Elara Lúmiel
Location: Temple of Tyr
[Lawful/Good alignment pathway]
[The moon elf turns her gaze upon you, apprehension nestled in the depths of those cerulean eyes of hers.]
Elara: "You are not of the Faithful — and yet I can see in your eyes that you are no stranger to hardship. Will you please listen to a desperate mother's plea?"
Player response options:
1. Of course, please tell me what ails you. [Good/lawful]
2. I'm listening, but I don't have much time. Can you tell your story quickly? [Neutral choice]
3. I'm only interested in sob stories if there's money involved. [Chaotic/evil]
[Player chooses 1]
[Her eyes glitter with a palpable warmth.]
Elara: "Thank you, dear stranger. My name is Elara Lúmiel, and to call my circumstances difficult would be an understatement. I am a refugee of the Green Isle, forced to flee after Kymil Nimesin's betrayal left our ancestral homeland in ruins. I have come to Neverwinter to consult the learned of these hallowed walls, in the hopes that I might find a cure for my son's wasting disease. Unfortunately, the urgency plague has occupied their attention as of late, and I fear that if a cure is not found soon, my son may not live to see another tenday."
Player response options:
1. I will help if I can. What disease afflicts your son? [Good/lawful choice]
2. As you can understand, many people in the city are wasting away much the same. My priority is carrying out Lady Aribeth's requests to find the Waterdhavian creatures, but I will help you if I can. [Neutral]
3. How much coin is in your coinpurse? [Chaotic/evil]
Only chosen if a character is a cleric with Healing Domain chosen:
4. "Your son is wasting? I may be able to help. Where is your son now?" [Lawful/Good]
[Player chooses 1]
[The warmth in her gaze dims, giving way to a look of forlorn sorrow.]
Elara: "Would that I could tell you. It began shortly after the invasion of our sacred home. When first he contracted this disease, the light in his gaze began to fade, his hands began to tremble, and he lost the ability to speak. He was once so energetic, and yet he is but a hollow echo of his former self. I cannot help but feel some nefarious disease has taken root within him, and yet any and all healers I consult know not what afflicts him. They have tried every treatment for every known disease, and yet still — nothing."
Player response options:
1. Where is your son now? [Neutral]
2. [Lore/Heal] Have you considered the possibility of curse rather than a disease? There is an apothecary in the Blacklake District that specialises in the treatment of arcane curses. [Lawful/Good]
[Player Chooses 2]
[Her gaze shifts once again, incredulity replacing the once crestfallen expression.]
Elara: "What ever do you mean? Surely the finest healers in Evermeet could not have missed such a simple observation?"
Player response options:
1. That is true — but curses are often masked by the very magic that causes them. It is possible that whoever has inflicted this on your son purposefully made it mimic a disease. I can take you there to the Blacklake district if you'd like. [Lawful/Good]
2. Perhaps you are right. It is arrogant of me to assume that I know better than Evermeet's healers. [Lawful/Neutral]
[Player Chooses 1]
[As though imbued with the very essence of all that is hopeful, the woman's eyes glittered with a newfound purpose.]
"By the Lunar Lady, I had never considered such a possibility! Sehanine forgive me, perhaps I was too desperate to be granted the gift of clarity. Are you certain this apothecary can help? I suppose it may be my only hope. Very well, please escort me there. In exchange, though I do not have much in the way of coin, I can offer you my services as a sorceress if ever you need your gear enchanted, or your enemies scorched."
[She pauses.]
"By the way, what is your name?"
Journal Entry:
1372 DR
The city of neverwinter
morning
Objective: escort elara to the blacklake district to meet with the apothecary.
While seeking supplies in the Temple of Tyr, I came across a crestfallen elven sorceress from Evermeet by the name of Elara Lúmiel. She has requested that I help her find a cure for her son's wasting condition. I have suggested that it could be a curse rather than a disease, and have agreed to take her to the apothecary in the Blacklake District to see whether or not he can help cure her son. In exchange, she has agreed to help me in my quest to the last remaining Waterdhavian creatures so that Neverwinter can finally be free of the Wailing Death.