Congratulations to Captain Swarmi and Arcadia! (And to the architect of their victory, Alesia.) Outstanding run.
Thanks. When I first rolled an F/M, I figured the odds of success were high. And once Arcadia had enough spell slots, there was a sense of inevitability about her which deprived her run of drama, I guess. Nonetheless, it was a satisfying and enjoyable play-through. It was fun.
if I have any regrets, it's that I abandoned Arcadia's narrative, but completing it wasn't feasible. As you may recall, I had a April 4th deadline for the completion of this run. Arcadia barely made it even without the narrative. Had I continued writing her, she certainly wouldn't have.
So, why is Captain Swarmi going to live forever? Why did Imoen not want to talk about it all those years ago back in Candlekeep before Arcadia ascended to the Throne?
Those are good questions. And I suppose I should take a moment to outline the narrative I had planned for Arcadia and Captain Swarmi (seeing as how I'll never get a chance to write it).
Back then, Imoen sensed that there was something different about Captain Swarmi, something sinister, something divine. She was right.
Do you remember Arcadia's last interaction with Imoen outside of Candlekeep? Captain Swarmi's telepathic control of Arcadia? Arcadia's abusive behavior on account of Captain Swarmi's telepathic influence? The exchange of the violet? Arcadia's request that Imoen return the violet on a day when she'd really need it? We'll start there.
Throughout early BG, Arcadia was to essentially be an unwitting thrall of Captain Swarmi. Her behavior was to be erratic on account of the conflict between his devious will and her more benevolent spirit. The conflict would be mitigated, however, due to Captain Swarmi's ability to suppress Arcadia's memories, as he did following the exchange of the violet. Arcadia would occasionally wonder whether there was more to Captain Swarmi than met the eye- she would occasionally wonder whether Imoen had been right- but she would never take the idea seriously.
The first turning point was to occur at Candlekeep, upon Arcadia's return. Gorion's letter to Arcadia would have had a postscript. It would have read: "PS: Captain Swarmi is a Bhaalspawn too, I think. And yet he is much older than you. I don't know how this happened. Watch him carefully." Arcadia would discount the idea at first, and toss the letter away, but over time her suspicions would grow.
By early BG2 Arcadia would understand that Captain Swarmi had been controlling her. She would begin to openly challenge him, while at the same time feeling utterly dependent on him, inextricably linked to him. At first, Captain Swarmi would respond with brute psychic force, but Arcadia's ability to resist his power would grow stronger, strong enough to make brute force unworkable.
A peace would be reached. Captain Swarmi would refrain from controlling Arcadia. Instead they would work as partners, equals. Captain Swarmi's true intentions and origins would remain a secret, however.
By mid SoA, the peace would be established. True -or seemingly true- camaraderie would emerge between Arcadia and Captain Swarmi. When Imoen was rescued at Spellhold, there would be apologies, and an admission from Arcadia that Imoen had been right all along. Arcadia would assure Imoen that all that had changed now. And yet Imoen would be told once again that she could not travel with Arcadia. This time it would be explicitly clear that that was Captain Swarmi's wish. He would offer no explanation. Imoen and Arcadia would say their goodbyes. Imoen would consider giving Arcadia the violet -which was somehow magically as alive as it was the day it was given. She would instead decide that it wasn't yet time: that the day when Arcadia would truly need it hadn't yet come.
By early ToB the bond and partnership between Arcadia and the Captain would be strong. Their affection would seem mutual- it would be mutual to an extent. Arcadia would miss Imoen. But Captain Swarmi would remain firm: she could not travel with them.
Upon Arcadia's first meeting with Melissan, Captain Swarmi would remain hidden in Arcadia's pack. Melissan would sense something- a familiar presence- though she wouldn't be able to put her finger on who or what, exactly, she sensed. In subsequent meetings, it would become clear that there was something about this presence that made Melissan uncomfortable. Whatever it was, it constituted a threat to her plan: that she was sure of.
At the Throne -with her powers at their height- Melissan would finally recognize the presence she had felt. She'd cry "You...It's him! You brought that thing here! Do you realize what you've done! ALIKAE DOMINCA: THE EYES OF BHAAL, SHOW YOURSELF!"
With those words, the cat Arcadia had known as Captain Swarmi would leap from her pack. Captain Swami's eyes would be a-light and a cavernous voice would ring out across the Throne. Finally, the origins of Captain Swarmi, AKA Alikae Dominica, would be revealed.
Alikae Dominca was truly ancient. He had been a planewalker for an eternity. In the time of troubles, he formed a partnership with Bhaal. Alikae was gifted telepathic powers: the ability to read and control the minds of mortals- the ability to see inner experiences that even gods can't. He was to serve as Bhaal's spy and ultimate insurance policy. He was to be the one who made sure that Melissan performed the rites and orchestrated the resurrection of Bhaal.
Alikae was Melissan's cat. And the relationship between Melissan and Alikae was at one point much like the relationship between Captain Swarmi and Arcadia used to be. Melissan had been Alikae's thrall. But when Melissan's plan to usurp Bhaal began to form in her mind, she sensed that someone was trying to uncover it. She concluded that that someone was Alikae.
Understanding that Alikae's telepathic powers were a function of distance, Melissan endeavored to keep him away. She set up a temple for him, where Bhaalists worshiped him and gave tribute to him with violets and buttermilk. In secret, and through covert channels, Melissan then informed a group of paladins that a cult centering around a demonic cat had emerged. The paladins destroyed the temple, but Alikae Dominica escaped.
On the run, seeking refuge, he made his way to another temple: Alianna's temple. It was here that he would meet the infant Arcadia. It was here that he would select Arcadia to be the instrument of his revenge and of Bhaal's resurrection.
When Arcadia was rescued, Alikae followed. Arcadia and Alikae grew up together. And the young girl -inexplicably in awe of the cat- couldn't help but give him a name which implied both military command and religious reverence: Captain Swarmi.
Through Arcadia's victory, Alikae Dominica, or Captain Swarmi, sought to achieve Bhaal's resurrection. The telepathic link between he and Arcadia would permit him to channel the energies of the fallen Bhaalspawn back to Bhaal, bringing the deity back to life. That had been his plan all along.
This was all to be revealed at the Throne, shortly after Melissan had used her powers to summon Imoen. Arcadia, stunned, but still deeply fond of Captain Swarmi, and still deeply dependent on him, wouldn't know what to do. And as Melissan coaxed the Slayer from Imoen -as the change began to take hold- Imoen would cry "Arcadia!" and toss the violet in the air. It would land on the ground, near the hissing Captain Swarmi. Arcadia would see the violet and understand.
At the Throne, Arcadia would battle Melissan. But she would also battle her conflicting allegiances to Captain Swarmi and Imoen- as well as Captain Swarmi's resurgent mind control powers. Arcadia's allegiance to Imoen would ultimately win.
I hadn't decided what would happen to Captain Swarmi. Either he would be destroyed with Melissan or the taint of Bhaal would be purged from him and he would live life in peace with Arcadia- finally as true partners. I'm still not sure which ending I like better.
Anyhoo. Apologies if this took to long. And apologies for the sloppy, un-compelling style. I was just trying to answer your question in full without taking too much time.
I think the narrative would have been pretty cool if I had been able to see it through. Oh well.
I still owe everyone a final battle report. I'll take care of that soon. Probably tomorrow.
Best,
A.
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