The First Scroll of Baan Dar ( Excerpt ) Content . Translation by Jarvus , apprentice to Arkan the Gifted , Daggerfall City , 2E 255 Scholars have labored for years to fully translate the scrolls of Baan Dar , vellum parchments found in a series of alabaster jars near Lake Vread in eastern Elsweyr . I myself can make no claims to this translation ' s authenticity . Reader beware ! — Yanabir - ja , loyal follower of the Boaster < nowiki > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - < / nowiki > Baan Dar , the Legend — thief , warlock , shadowmaster , the Boastful . Mastermind of Nefarious Plots . All these things and more describe the legendary Baan Dar , he who is called the Bandit God . The Exile . The Pariah . But what is the truth ? Baan Dar is a much more simple and complex being . I pen this tale as I slowly die of old age and a mortifying arrow wound . I cannot decide if the truth will add to or subtract from the legend that is Baan Dar , nor if the original Baan Dar would want the truth to be known . Therefore , I will leave this tale hidden when I am done and gone , and let Fate ( which was ever Baan Dar ' s true master and motivator ) decide . I was a child of twelve seasons when I first met Baan Dar . Orphan of a slaver raid during one of the many inter - provincial border wars . Living by my quick wits , nimble fingers , and the grace of Lady Luck in the back alleys and byways of my birth city . I had just " liberated " a loaf of bread and a few small apples from a local street vendor in the bazaar on the edge of the city , near the tumbled outer wall . I had withdrawn down an ill - lit alley to feast on my bounty when I was beset upon by an older band of my ilk . The older and lazier variety which were wont to engage in the easier and less dangerous art of stealing from the stealers . There were five of the bullies who had decided they were more deserving of my bounty than I , and they were beating me half to death with staves , laughing the whole time . Lying on the ground , curled up into as tight a ball as I could manage , trying to protect my head and groin , I heard a quiet voice ask if they were not " more suited to go down to the wharf and take food from your brother rats , or would you care to try your tricks on game a bit more your size and number ? " Since my " companions " had become otherwise engaged with the newcomer and had for the nonce ceased thumping , kicking , and cuffing at me , I looked up to see a dark shadow of boots , cloak , and chainmail hood leaning against the wall at the end of the alley . The others , being what they were , took this as a challenge to their manhood — and easy prey to their superior number with a promise of gold as added reward ( else the first part would have been overlooked ) . The leader of my band of playmates suggested that the stranger take a leap off the aforementioned wharf unless he wished to join me there when they were done with their evening meal . Having drawn chuckles and courage from his underlings , he then proceeded forward with staff at high port . I ' m not quite sure exactly what followed , but within a short space of time , Lead bully was lying in the dirt with a thrown dagger in his chest , number two bully had lost three teeth to a boot ( I still carry them in a leather pouch as a keepsake ) , and number three bully was brought short by his own staff applied forcefully up between his toes ( the two big ones ! ) . Bullies four and five thought better of the entertainment and departed rapidly for parts unknown . Baan Dar picked me up , dusted me off , and dragged me round to a nearby tavern , where we shared a meal and a mug . I attempted to thank him for saving my life . How can I ever repay this favor , I asked ? His reply was short , to the point , and has driven my actions in life ever since . He said , " Never repay a favor , kid . Pass it on to someone else . "