You have been beset by peril upon peril. Mind flayers would make for a dangerous enough tale on their own. Adding the Dead Three, and a shadow curse besides... Would that I were able to assist you. But it sounds as though your allies have been just and swift. I am glad.

[ Damn, two more left, huh... If only Xenk could be there, he'd love to fight some death gods. And realistically it sounds like Astarion's party already has many warriors, so he wouldn't even need to worry about outshining anyone! ]

Most great legends begin with modest origins. Yours will be no different.