Welcome to Baldur's Gate, a veritable nest of rats and vipers clinging to the rocky slopes overlooking the Chionthar River. From their high perches in the Upper City, the local nobles—known as patriars—gaze down with veiled contempt upon the common rabble in the grimy Lower City, which hugs the foggy harbor. The whole of Baldur's Gate reeks of blood, crime, and opportunity. One can easily fathom why pirates and traders are drawn to this place like flies to a carcass.
Following the river farther east would eventually lead you to Elturel, capital of the holy land of Elturgard—or at least that was the case until a few days ago. The flood of refugees from Elturel has gotten worse since news first arrived that the city has fallen. Everyone is saying Baldur's Gate is next, but no one truly knows who or what has claimed Elturel.
The patriars pay a mercenary army called the Flaming Fist to protect their interests in Baldur's Gate, and by extension, the city itself. The Flaming Fist has gained even more power since their charismatic leader, Ulder Ravengard, claimed the title of Grand Duke a few years ago. Apparently, Ravengard is missing. In his absence, the Flaming Fist has sealed the city's gates to staunch the flow of refugees. No one is allowed in or out.
All of this was brought to your attention shortly after you were "drafted" by the Flaming Fist to help defend the city. Your orders are to speak to Captain Zodge at the Basilisk Gate, which pierces the city's eastern wall and takes its name from the various statues that rest in its niches and perch atop its battlements. Unseen beyond the sealed Basilisk Gate, a dirt road stretches through the Outer City slums to the bridge known as Wyrm's Crossing, then to distant realms beyond.
Dozens of Flaming Fist soldiers are trying to control an angry mob of commoners eager to leave the city. Armed with only a vague description of Captain Zodge—a tall man with long black hair and a leather eye patch—it takes you a while to find him. A fight breaks out between soldiers and commoners, and you finally spot the one-eyed captain as he wades into the fray and begins throwing punches. Just another day in the City of Blood.
"Hrrmm." A large man stands mumbling at the edge of the crowd. His eyes stare vacant at the scene before him. He is uncertain how to proceed, so he waits. Refugees near him note his attire, a funerary suit, and his smell: he reeks of fresh dug earth and mortuary incense, almost as if he'd crawled out of a grave to be here!
"Hrm-mmm. Urgh-humm...?" (Translation: Now then. How do I...?)
A thin human male with blonde hair is neatly styled in a short cut, framing his face and adding a touch of brightness to his overall look. His eyes are a vivid shade of red, a striking feature that may draw immediate attention. They possess an intense gaze, contributing to an enigmatic aura. The circular-shaped glasses perch upon the bridge of his nose, adding a scholarly or intellectual air to his appearance. Clad in a black priest outfit, he exudes an air of solemnity and authority. The attire includes a black cassock, a traditional garment worn by clergy members, which drapes around his form with a sense of gravity and purpose.
Appearance:
Gotu stands there with a stoic expression, yet if one looks carefully. One could tell that he is annoyed at being 'drafted' by the Flaming Fist to guard the city.
'Honestly, can I just go one day to enjoy my morning in peace?'
A crystal studded dragonborn wearing simple but very fine clothing turns as well to look at the sudden bustle of activity. For a long moment his dark blue eyes flicker back and forth between the parties involved in the rising scuffle, as if trying to decide which side he should be on, and eventually steps forward a bit to assist the soldiers, trying to calm the people down as well. He had always toed the line between keeping order and the status quo and helping the poorer people that genuinely needed help, but right then he didn't have a lot of time to figure out what was best, except to restore peace as quickly as possible so he could meet their contact and get on with things. The fact that something so important was hanging over him was a feeling he did not enjoy and the sooner the weight was lifted the better.
As the large taciturn man watches, he spots the Captain, or whom he would assume to be him. He summons a Mage Hand and begins slowly walking the edge of the crowd, attempting to get as close as possible without permeating the desperate mob...
Ezhla a shadar-kai, smiles like the cheshire cat as she wades into the crowd confidently and unafraid of shoving anyone in her way with her shield as she makes her way to what she thinks is Captain Zodge. For any tenacious rabble rousers, she will unsheathe her longsword ready to shed blood if any decide to test her skills.
You can see the captain dealing with a portion of this angry mob... and by dealing I mean beating them up and collecting a fee for entering the city recklessly. The soldiers under his command immediately strip the commoners of their coin purses and by some type of chance it seems like they all have the exact amount of the fee or at least one woudl think that because no one bothered to return any change to them.
The mob quickly understood that this place was not a refugee, and quickly turned from being angry to fearful and so did the rest who was forcing their entry into the city.
In the midst of the crowd, another spectacle unfolds – a line where impeccably dressed individuals casually pass golden coins to the waiting soldier. In return, they're granted an escort to an upscale establishment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The captain makes sure to greet each single one of these individuals.
The large strange man's Mage Hand effortlessly floats over to the Captain, tapping him on the head and pointing to the cadre of conscripts near the edge of the dissipating mob. The strange man waves, further accentuating his presence.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gotu calmly makes his way to Captain Zodge. Making sure to avoid being bumped into anyone.If someone purposely bumps into him. He will take this chance to steal whatever he can grab from them.
Sleight of Hand:21
(OOC: I will use Opportunistic Thief feat for this. But, if no one purposely bumps into Gotu, then ignore the roll.)
Bivy suddenly gets a look on his face and takes a step back as superior violent force quells the sudden crowd. He took another step or two back as the new procession came by, but it made his head crane about to try and see who it was.
(Since he is a noble, would he recognize anyone in the line of wealthy persons?)
Bivy suddenly gets a look on his face and takes a step back as superior violent force quells the sudden crowd. He took another step or two back as the new procession came by, but it made his head crane about to try and see who it was.
(Since he is a noble, would he recognize anyone in the line of wealthy persons?)
They are from Elturel, people buying their way into Baldur's Gate. (you can roll history)
Gotu calmly makes his way to Captain Zodge. Making sure to avoid being bumped into anyone.If someone purposely bumps into him. He will take this chance to steal whatever he can grab from them.
Sleight of Hand:10
(OOC: I will use Opportunistic Thief feat for this. But, if no one purposely bumps into Gotu, then ignore the roll.)
((You could force your way into some commoner that hasn't been strip from their coin. with that roll you can snatch a coin purse with 15 cp))
The large strange man's Mage Hand effortlessly floats over to the Captain, tapping him on the head and pointing to the cadre of conscripts near the edge of the dissipating mob. The strange man waves, further accentuating his presence.
The captain's expression sours as a hand taps him on the head, but his demeanor quickly shifts to a sly grin upon spotting you and the rest of the party walking nearby, not necessarily together but close enough.
His smile isn't friendly; it's the smirk of someone who knows something advantageous and is ready to capitalize on it.
"Ah, the newest batch of volunteers," he says with a heavy dose of sarcasm. "Next time you poke me, whether it's some cheap arcane trick or your filthy hands, I'll make sure you pay for it," he adds, standing next to Castor with a deadly serious tone before his grin returns.
"The refugee crisis," Captain Zodge continues, "has stoked fears that Baldur's Gate might suffer the same fate as Elturel, of which nothing remains but a hole in the ground, apparently. Our grand duke, Ulder Ravengard, was visiting Elturel on a diplomatic mission when the city was destroyed. Coincidence? I think not." He paces militarily and stops next to Gotu, inspecting him from head to toe before continuing.
"The knights of Elturgard call themselves Hellriders. A few of them escaped the destruction and think we're somehow to blame for Elturel's downfall. What a bunch of self-righteous rabble-rousers! We're arresting them on sight, but that's left us shorthanded to deal with another problem. For that, I will use... you."
The sorcerer stands nearby, listening but not necessarily caring. He's more focused on his friends, having just noticed them. He occasionally nods and mumbles, as if listening and acknowledging the Captain's words. "Huh... uhh... hurngh... guhh..." (Translation: Sure. Uh-huh. Right. Good.)
"What are the details of this task and make sure not to leave out even one once of information." says Ezhla excited to learn some juicy information. She sheathes her longsword and puts her shield on her back.
"What are the details of this task and make sure not to leave out even one once of information." says Ezhla excited to learn some juicy information. She sheathes her longsword and puts her shield on her back.
Bivy gathers himself up closer to the captain, "Yes, what about the assignment? It seems you have other matters well in hand then."
Captain Zodge appreciates Ezhla's enthusiasm and after everyone is close enough he'll elaborate on the task
"Baldur's Gate has long been plagued by followers of the Dead Three—the gods Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul. I thought we had wiped them out, but apparently not. These purveyors of fear and death are taking advantage of the current crisis to commit murder sprees throughout the city. As my appointed deputies in this matter, you'll have license to kill these wretches on sight. Find their lair, and wipe it out. Eliminate anyone who gets in your way, and don't worry about collateral damage.
"If you do what I say, I'll see that you each receive two hundred gold pieces in addition to my gratitude, which is worth considerably more.
"A few blocks from the Basilisk Gate is Elfsong Tavern. A spy named Tarina hangs out there, gathering rumors for the Guild. She owes me a favor, so tell her you work for me. Ask her what she knows about the Dead Three. And, for the love of Balduran, be nice. Tarina has dangerous friends."
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Welcome to Baldur's Gate, a veritable nest of rats and vipers clinging to the rocky slopes overlooking the Chionthar River. From their high perches in the Upper City, the local nobles—known as patriars—gaze down with veiled contempt upon the common rabble in the grimy Lower City, which hugs the foggy harbor. The whole of Baldur's Gate reeks of blood, crime, and opportunity. One can easily fathom why pirates and traders are drawn to this place like flies to a carcass.
Following the river farther east would eventually lead you to Elturel, capital of the holy land of Elturgard—or at least that was the case until a few days ago. The flood of refugees from Elturel has gotten worse since news first arrived that the city has fallen. Everyone is saying Baldur's Gate is next, but no one truly knows who or what has claimed Elturel.
The patriars pay a mercenary army called the Flaming Fist to protect their interests in Baldur's Gate, and by extension, the city itself. The Flaming Fist has gained even more power since their charismatic leader, Ulder Ravengard, claimed the title of Grand Duke a few years ago. Apparently, Ravengard is missing. In his absence, the Flaming Fist has sealed the city's gates to staunch the flow of refugees. No one is allowed in or out.
All of this was brought to your attention shortly after you were "drafted" by the Flaming Fist to help defend the city. Your orders are to speak to Captain Zodge at the Basilisk Gate, which pierces the city's eastern wall and takes its name from the various statues that rest in its niches and perch atop its battlements. Unseen beyond the sealed Basilisk Gate, a dirt road stretches through the Outer City slums to the bridge known as Wyrm's Crossing, then to distant realms beyond.
Dozens of Flaming Fist soldiers are trying to control an angry mob of commoners eager to leave the city. Armed with only a vague description of Captain Zodge—a tall man with long black hair and a leather eye patch—it takes you a while to find him. A fight breaks out between soldiers and commoners, and you finally spot the one-eyed captain as he wades into the fray and begins throwing punches. Just another day in the City of Blood.
"Hrrmm." A large man stands mumbling at the edge of the crowd. His eyes stare vacant at the scene before him. He is uncertain how to proceed, so he waits. Refugees near him note his attire, a funerary suit, and his smell: he reeks of fresh dug earth and mortuary incense, almost as if he'd crawled out of a grave to be here!
"Hrm-mmm. Urgh-humm...?" (Translation: Now then. How do I...?)
A thin human male with blonde hair is neatly styled in a short cut, framing his face and adding a touch of brightness to his overall look. His eyes are a vivid shade of red, a striking feature that may draw immediate attention. They possess an intense gaze, contributing to an enigmatic aura. The circular-shaped glasses perch upon the bridge of his nose, adding a scholarly or intellectual air to his appearance. Clad in a black priest outfit, he exudes an air of solemnity and authority. The attire includes a black cassock, a traditional garment worn by clergy members, which drapes around his form with a sense of gravity and purpose.
Appearance:
Gotu stands there with a stoic expression, yet if one looks carefully. One could tell that he is annoyed at being 'drafted' by the Flaming Fist to guard the city.
'Honestly, can I just go one day to enjoy my morning in peace?'
A crystal studded dragonborn wearing simple but very fine clothing turns as well to look at the sudden bustle of activity. For a long moment his dark blue eyes flicker back and forth between the parties involved in the rising scuffle, as if trying to decide which side he should be on, and eventually steps forward a bit to assist the soldiers, trying to calm the people down as well. He had always toed the line between keeping order and the status quo and helping the poorer people that genuinely needed help, but right then he didn't have a lot of time to figure out what was best, except to restore peace as quickly as possible so he could meet their contact and get on with things. The fact that something so important was hanging over him was a feeling he did not enjoy and the sooner the weight was lifted the better.
"Everyone calm down! Things will get worked out!"
As the large taciturn man watches, he spots the Captain, or whom he would assume to be him. He summons a Mage Hand and begins slowly walking the edge of the crowd, attempting to get as close as possible without permeating the desperate mob...
Appearance in Spoiler
Ezhla a shadar-kai, smiles like the cheshire cat as she wades into the crowd confidently and unafraid of shoving anyone in her way with her shield as she makes her way to what she thinks is Captain Zodge. For any tenacious rabble rousers, she will unsheathe her longsword ready to shed blood if any decide to test her skills.
You can see the captain dealing with a portion of this angry mob... and by dealing I mean beating them up and collecting a fee for entering the city recklessly. The soldiers under his command immediately strip the commoners of their coin purses and by some type of chance it seems like they all have the exact amount of the fee or at least one woudl think that because no one bothered to return any change to them.
The mob quickly understood that this place was not a refugee, and quickly turned from being angry to fearful and so did the rest who was forcing their entry into the city.
In the midst of the crowd, another spectacle unfolds – a line where impeccably dressed individuals casually pass golden coins to the waiting soldier. In return, they're granted an escort to an upscale establishment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The captain makes sure to greet each single one of these individuals.
The large strange man's Mage Hand effortlessly floats over to the Captain, tapping him on the head and pointing to the cadre of conscripts near the edge of the dissipating mob. The strange man waves, further accentuating his presence.
Gotu calmly makes his way to Captain Zodge. Making sure to avoid being bumped into anyone.If someone purposely bumps into him. He will take this chance to steal whatever he can grab from them.
Sleight of Hand: 21
(OOC: I will use Opportunistic Thief feat for this. But, if no one purposely bumps into Gotu, then ignore the roll.)
Bivy suddenly gets a look on his face and takes a step back as superior violent force quells the sudden crowd. He took another step or two back as the new procession came by, but it made his head crane about to try and see who it was.
(Since he is a noble, would he recognize anyone in the line of wealthy persons?)
They are from Elturel, people buying their way into Baldur's Gate. (you can roll history)
((You could force your way into some commoner that hasn't been strip from their coin. with that roll you can snatch a coin purse with 15 cp))
(History: 12, rolled in log)
The captain's expression sours as a hand taps him on the head, but his demeanor quickly shifts to a sly grin upon spotting you and the rest of the party walking nearby, not necessarily together but close enough.
His smile isn't friendly; it's the smirk of someone who knows something advantageous and is ready to capitalize on it.
"Ah, the newest batch of volunteers," he says with a heavy dose of sarcasm. "Next time you poke me, whether it's some cheap arcane trick or your filthy hands, I'll make sure you pay for it," he adds, standing next to Castor with a deadly serious tone before his grin returns.
"The refugee crisis," Captain Zodge continues, "has stoked fears that Baldur's Gate might suffer the same fate as Elturel, of which nothing remains but a hole in the ground, apparently. Our grand duke, Ulder Ravengard, was visiting Elturel on a diplomatic mission when the city was destroyed. Coincidence? I think not." He paces militarily and stops next to Gotu, inspecting him from head to toe before continuing.
"The knights of Elturgard call themselves Hellriders. A few of them escaped the destruction and think we're somehow to blame for Elturel's downfall. What a bunch of self-righteous rabble-rousers! We're arresting them on sight, but that's left us shorthanded to deal with another problem. For that, I will use... you."
((No one you knew or recognize by their colors))
The sorcerer stands nearby, listening but not necessarily caring. He's more focused on his friends, having just noticed them. He occasionally nods and mumbles, as if listening and acknowledging the Captain's words. "Huh... uhh... hurngh... guhh..." (Translation: Sure. Uh-huh. Right. Good.)
[Deception: 10]
The Hand, meanwhile, waves to his friends.
Gotu looks at Captain Zodge, then sighs.
"Sure."
'No point in fighting a losing battle, and arguing with Captain Zodge will just make it worse. Better keep my mouth shut for the most part.'
(OOC: It's fine, ignore the roll.)
"What are the details of this task and make sure not to leave out even one once of information." says Ezhla excited to learn some juicy information. She sheathes her longsword and puts her shield on her back.
Bivy gathers himself up closer to the captain, "Yes, what about the assignment? It seems you have other matters well in hand then."
Captain Zodge appreciates Ezhla's enthusiasm and after everyone is close enough he'll elaborate on the task
"Baldur's Gate has long been plagued by followers of the Dead Three—the gods Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul. I thought we had wiped them out, but apparently not. These purveyors of fear and death are taking advantage of the current crisis to commit murder sprees throughout the city. As my appointed deputies in this matter, you'll have license to kill these wretches on sight. Find their lair, and wipe it out. Eliminate anyone who gets in your way, and don't worry about collateral damage.
"If you do what I say, I'll see that you each receive two hundred gold pieces in addition to my gratitude, which is worth considerably more.
"A few blocks from the Basilisk Gate is Elfsong Tavern. A spy named Tarina hangs out there, gathering rumors for the Guild. She owes me a favor, so tell her you work for me. Ask her what she knows about the Dead Three. And, for the love of Balduran, be nice. Tarina has dangerous friends."