"Guards! Guards!" The man starts to yell but a moment later he is met with silence. Realization dawns on his face as no one answers.
"Please don't kill me." He pleads. "Take what you want."
Mantlemorn steps over to the room and begins questioning the man.
"What is your name? Are you a Vanthampur? Where is Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel? What have you done with him?"
In response to these questions he cowers even more.
"My name is Thurstwell Vanthampur. My mother, the duke, is in the dungeon below the villa with Thavius Kreeg. She and the former high overseer of Elturel are plotting to seize control of Baldur’s Gate. My brothers recently stole the Shield of the Hidden Lord from a crypt under the city. A powerful devil named Gargauth is trapped in the shield, and has vowed to help the Vanthampurs conquer Baldur’s Gate if released. Thavius Kreeg is confident that he can devise a way to release Gargauth from the shield. He brought an infernal puzzle box with him. My mother insisted we keep it safe and she gave the infernal puzzle box to me figure out how to open. Thats whats in the chest."
With a look from Mantlemorn and Drabash towering over him he hands the key to Gilbert who goes over and opens the chest.
Inside is the infernal puzzle box as well as a jumble of wrinkled garments, red wax candles, quills, blank sheets of parchment, and jars of ink. It also holds an unlocked wooden coffer containing 73 gp, 120 sp, and a potion of healing, and a black-covered tome titled Apocalypto — a poetic prophecy by an unknown author envisioning the end of the multiverse (worth 50 gp).
"Please don't kill me!" Thurstwell pleads again.
Mantlemorn looks crestfallen. "The high overseer of Elturel is in league with a duke of Baldur’s Gate and is plotting to seize control of the city. This would explain so much. We must stop them. "
"The high overseer of Elturel is in league with a duke of Baldur’s Gate and is plotting to seize control of the city. This would explain so much. We must stop them. "
"Hold on a minute ma'am." Tibi says holding up a couple of fingers and ticking them off. "One - exactly why should we stop them?" "Two - What will stopping them involve?" "Three - Do you have the authority to engage us to as you say 'stop them'?"
"Do you not realize what is going on here? Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard left Baldur’s Gate with a company of Flaming Fist soldiers on a diplomatic mission to Elturel, accepting a formal invitation from Elturel’s High Overseer, Thavius Kreeg. Shortly after Ravengard arrived in Elturel, the city was dragged down into the Nine Hells. I was training a few miles north of Elturel when the city vanished. I watched in disbelief as the Companion’s light went out, turning black as the city appeared to crumble and sink below the horizon — a horrific image that I have been unable to get out of my mind. I returned to Elturel to find a crater where the city once stood, then took it upon myself to lead a group of fearful refugees west to Baldur’s Gate. Before the Flaming Fist closed the city gates, i and a handful of others managed to sneak inside. I haven’t been in Baldur’s Gate long, but I quickly concluded that the city is a cesspool of corruption with death lurking around every foggy corner. I was looking into a rumor that Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel, is in the city. I hadn't confirmed whether the rumor was true, but the reports say that Kreeg was seen in the company of four guards employed by the Vanthampur family. Then I met up with you folks and here we are. Kreeg is indeed with the Vanthampur family. He was conveniently not in Elturel when it sunk into the Nine Hells. And it seems he is in league with Duke Vanthampur and had something to do with what happened to Elturel. And now they are in league with a demon to possibly do the same to Baldur's Gate. I could not care less what happens to this cesspool of crime and misery. But if this demon did this to Elturel then perhaps there is a way to get Elturel back from the Nine Hells."
She looks you over and then continues,
"So in answer to your questions, One - Because your city may be doomed to the same fate as Elturel's. Two - finding this Duke Vanthampur and Kreeg and stopping them. They are downstairs, so not very far away and Three - our goals are in line with each other. "
"I'd agree with you that this city is a cesspool of corruption with death lurking around every foggy corner. Its why my compatriots and I have set up shop here. But its not my city so I don't really care if it gets dragged down to the Nine Hells, I'll just establish my business elsewhere. So again I ask you do you have then authority to enter into a contract with us and what exactly do you want us to do? Its hard to give you a price without knowing what you want us to do?"He looks over at the rest of the party "which one of you has got the draft contracts again?"
"Contracts? Prices? You are mere mercenaries then? Is that who I have fallen in with? Fine, so be it. I am Reya Mantlemorn of the Hellriders, the elite cavalry unit and primary armed force of the city of Elturel. I commission you to aid me in investigating what has happened to Elturel and reverse, if possible, its descent into the Nine Hells. In payment you can have any and all treasure that is found along the way. I will further pay all reasonable living and travel expenses for the duration. Additionally compensation will be given to next of kin if designated. A substantial and yet to be determined bonus is offered if the city of Elturel can be returned to this plane. This will include exclusive rights for mercenary work on behalf of the Hellriders for a period of five years and a day, starting the day after the city is restored. Do you find the terms agreeable?"
Tibi shrugs his shoulders "mercenaries is one way to describe us but I prefer the term business people."He turns to the others "I'm OK with these terms - how about you? Gil can you whip up a contract please?"
"I am formerly of the flaming fist and if you say this city is in peril, I will aid you how i can to prevent that!"
At Drabash's comment, Tibi turns around in surprise "hold on my tall and solid friend, you're a member of our company now and we don't do anything until the contract is signed. How are you going with that contract Gil?"
" 'Mercenary' is such a crude word," Darvin says. "We prefer to think of ourselves as 'professionals'. You are offering professional-grade terms, and accordingly you will get professional-grade service. Besides," he adds, turning toward Tibi, "if the city is swallowed up, that's not exactly great for our bottom line, is it?"
Once the formalities are taken care of, he chimes in again, "Well, gentlemen, I believe we have business to take care of downstairs. Mister Vanthampur," he turns to Thurstwell, "I assume you can ensure that whatever remaining guards your mother has on the premises do not bother us on our way down?"
Gil would very quickly pocket the puzzelbox before sliding the entire chest into his bag of holding. While the rest of the interrigation is going on, Gil would quickly take note of all the items collected before quickly raising his eyes in interest at the mention of a contract. "OH YES! I can help with creating a contract. So... let's see here.. I think 10000 gold should be a good starting point for "additional bonus" after returning an entire town from hell don't you think, in addition to all the other incentives you listed." The tall and slender verdan would say as his hand quickly moves across the parchment before he pulls stamps it hard with a wax seal. He would then hand it over to the Thurstwell and extend his quill motioning to him to sign.
(OOC: So we already sold / distributed all the gold and treasure we took from under the spa right? Like I can delete the contents of those chests from my character sheet? There is a lot I pick up lol and I don't want to get it all confused.)
Chest 1 holds 4,500 cp and two red crystal vials with gold stoppers (25 gp each). Each vial contains a potion of fire breath. With the coins and vials inside, the chest weighs 70 pounds. Chest 2 contains ten eye agates (10 gp each) scattered amid 1,250 sp. With the coins and gemstones inside, the chest weighs 37 pounds. Chest 3 contains a delicate porcelain dragon mask (25 gp) resting on a bed of 2,400 cp and 500 sp. With the coins inside, the chest weighs 55 pounds. The mask weighs 1 pound. Chest 4 contains a bronze crown with five spires (250 gp). Each spire is shaped and painted to resemble one of the five kinds of chromatic dragons (black, blue, green, red, and white). The crown weighs 2½ pounds.
(OOC: So we already sold / distributed all the gold and treasure we took from under the spa right? Like I can delete the contents of those chests from my character sheet? There is a lot I pick up lol and I don't want to get it all confused.)
Why don't put all this stuff on the public notes page and assume it is in the safe back at HQ.
OOC: I just don't remember if we ever divided it up / sold all of it or not. I am fine if it could be stored in a public place. Gil also has a whole bunch of spell books that I have been trying to keep track of which spells he has copied and which ones he has not lol
"10000 gold pieces? That's not a substantial and yet to be determined bonus, that is a fixed number. Let's leave the bonus to be determined by how well you complete the agreement."
Reya says in response.
Meanwhile Thurstwell can be heard mumbling about how he can't believe you are negotiating a contract, in his bedroom, while having broken into his home. Where are his worthless guards?
"10000 gold pieces? That's not a substantial and yet to be determined bonus, that is a fixed number. Let's leave the bonus to be determined by how well you complete the agreement."
"I would far more comfortable having some certainty around the bonus. What say we agree to a minimum of a value equivalent to all treasure we may find with an as yet undetermined upper limit dependent as you say on 'how well we complete the agreement."Tibi suggests.
Where are his worthless guards? Thurstwell mumbles
Overhearing his mumbling, Tibi turns to hims and say "worthless and breathless is probably a more accurate description!"
"1500 gold pieces to each surviving member of your party as a bonus." She counters. "500 gold pieces as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased."
"1500 gold pieces to each surviving member of your party as a bonus." She counters. "500 gold pieces as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased.
Tibi turns to the others "what say you gentlemen - can we live with that"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
"Thurstwell! My name is Thurstwell. I live here." He says as he cowers behind the bed. You can see he is frail but he gives you a hateful look.
"What is in the chest back there thurstwell can you open it?" Gil would ask as he points back towards the room from where they came.
"Guards! Guards!" The man starts to yell but a moment later he is met with silence. Realization dawns on his face as no one answers.
"Please don't kill me." He pleads. "Take what you want."
Mantlemorn steps over to the room and begins questioning the man.
"What is your name? Are you a Vanthampur? Where is Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel? What have you done with him?"
In response to these questions he cowers even more.
"My name is Thurstwell Vanthampur. My mother, the duke, is in the dungeon below the villa with Thavius Kreeg. She and the former high overseer of Elturel are plotting to seize control of Baldur’s Gate. My brothers recently stole the Shield of the Hidden Lord from a crypt under the city. A powerful devil named Gargauth is trapped in the shield, and has vowed to help the Vanthampurs conquer Baldur’s Gate if released. Thavius Kreeg is confident that he can devise a way to release Gargauth from the shield. He brought an infernal puzzle box with him. My mother insisted we keep it safe and she gave the infernal puzzle box to me figure out how to open. Thats whats in the chest."
With a look from Mantlemorn and Drabash towering over him he hands the key to Gilbert who goes over and opens the chest.
Inside is the infernal puzzle box as well as a jumble of wrinkled garments, red wax candles, quills, blank sheets of parchment, and jars of ink. It also holds an unlocked wooden coffer containing 73 gp, 120 sp, and a potion of healing, and a black-covered tome titled Apocalypto — a poetic prophecy by an unknown author envisioning the end of the multiverse (worth 50 gp).
"Please don't kill me!" Thurstwell pleads again.
Mantlemorn looks crestfallen. "The high overseer of Elturel is in league with a duke of Baldur’s Gate and is plotting to seize control of the city. This would explain so much. We must stop them. "
"Hold on a minute ma'am." Tibi says holding up a couple of fingers and ticking them off.
"One - exactly why should we stop them?"
"Two - What will stopping them involve?"
"Three - Do you have the authority to engage us to as you say 'stop them'?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Mantlemorn looks at Tibi,
"Do you not realize what is going on here? Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard left Baldur’s Gate with a company of Flaming Fist soldiers on a diplomatic mission to Elturel, accepting a formal invitation from Elturel’s High Overseer, Thavius Kreeg. Shortly after Ravengard arrived in Elturel, the city was dragged down into the Nine Hells. I was training a few miles north of Elturel when the city vanished. I watched in disbelief as the Companion’s light went out, turning black as the city appeared to crumble and sink below the horizon — a horrific image that I have been unable to get out of my mind. I returned to Elturel to find a crater where the city once stood, then took it upon myself to lead a group of fearful refugees west to Baldur’s Gate. Before the Flaming Fist closed the city gates, i and a handful of others managed to sneak inside. I haven’t been in Baldur’s Gate long, but I quickly concluded that the city is a cesspool of corruption with death lurking around every foggy corner. I was looking into a rumor that Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel, is in the city. I hadn't confirmed whether the rumor was true, but the reports say that Kreeg was seen in the company of four guards employed by the Vanthampur family. Then I met up with you folks and here we are. Kreeg is indeed with the Vanthampur family. He was conveniently not in Elturel when it sunk into the Nine Hells. And it seems he is in league with Duke Vanthampur and had something to do with what happened to Elturel. And now they are in league with a demon to possibly do the same to Baldur's Gate. I could not care less what happens to this cesspool of crime and misery. But if this demon did this to Elturel then perhaps there is a way to get Elturel back from the Nine Hells."
She looks you over and then continues,
"So in answer to your questions, One - Because your city may be doomed to the same fate as Elturel's. Two - finding this Duke Vanthampur and Kreeg and stopping them. They are downstairs, so not very far away and Three - our goals are in line with each other. "
"I'd agree with you that this city is a cesspool of corruption with death lurking around every foggy corner. Its why my compatriots and I have set up shop here. But its not my city so I don't really care if it gets dragged down to the Nine Hells, I'll just establish my business elsewhere. So again I ask you do you have then authority to enter into a contract with us and what exactly do you want us to do? Its hard to give you a price without knowing what you want us to do?" He looks over at the rest of the party "which one of you has got the draft contracts again?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"Contracts? Prices? You are mere mercenaries then? Is that who I have fallen in with? Fine, so be it. I am Reya Mantlemorn of the Hellriders, the elite cavalry unit and primary armed force of the city of Elturel. I commission you to aid me in investigating what has happened to Elturel and reverse, if possible, its descent into the Nine Hells. In payment you can have any and all treasure that is found along the way. I will further pay all reasonable living and travel expenses for the duration. Additionally compensation will be given to next of kin if designated. A substantial and yet to be determined bonus is offered if the city of Elturel can be returned to this plane. This will include exclusive rights for mercenary work on behalf of the Hellriders for a period of five years and a day, starting the day after the city is restored. Do you find the terms agreeable?"
Tibi shrugs his shoulders "mercenaries is one way to describe us but I prefer the term business people." He turns to the others "I'm OK with these terms - how about you? Gil can you whip up a contract please?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Drabash will turn to Mantlemorn, "I am formerly of the flaming fist and if you say this city is in peril, I will aid you how i can to prevent that!"
At Drabash's comment, Tibi turns around in surprise "hold on my tall and solid friend, you're a member of our company now and we don't do anything until the contract is signed. How are you going with that contract Gil?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
" 'Mercenary' is such a crude word," Darvin says. "We prefer to think of ourselves as 'professionals'. You are offering professional-grade terms, and accordingly you will get professional-grade service. Besides," he adds, turning toward Tibi, "if the city is swallowed up, that's not exactly great for our bottom line, is it?"
Once the formalities are taken care of, he chimes in again, "Well, gentlemen, I believe we have business to take care of downstairs. Mister Vanthampur," he turns to Thurstwell, "I assume you can ensure that whatever remaining guards your mother has on the premises do not bother us on our way down?"
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
"True!" Tibi concedes
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Gil would very quickly pocket the puzzelbox before sliding the entire chest into his bag of holding. While the rest of the interrigation is going on, Gil would quickly take note of all the items collected before quickly raising his eyes in interest at the mention of a contract. "OH YES! I can help with creating a contract. So... let's see here.. I think 10000 gold should be a good starting point for "additional bonus" after returning an entire town from hell don't you think, in addition to all the other incentives you listed." The tall and slender verdan would say as his hand quickly moves across the parchment before he pulls stamps it hard with a wax seal. He would then hand it over to the Thurstwell and extend his quill motioning to him to sign.
(OOC: So we already sold / distributed all the gold and treasure we took from under the spa right? Like I can delete the contents of those chests from my character sheet? There is a lot I pick up lol and I don't want to get it all confused.)
Chest 1 holds 4,500 cp and two red crystal vials with gold stoppers (25 gp each). Each vial contains a potion of fire breath. With the coins and vials inside, the chest weighs 70 pounds.
Chest 2 contains ten eye agates (10 gp each) scattered amid 1,250 sp. With the coins and gemstones inside, the chest weighs 37 pounds.
Chest 3 contains a delicate porcelain dragon mask (25 gp) resting on a bed of 2,400 cp and 500 sp. With the coins inside, the chest weighs 55 pounds. The mask weighs 1 pound.
Chest 4 contains a bronze crown with five spires (250 gp). Each spire is shaped and painted to resemble one of the five kinds of chromatic dragons (black, blue, green, red, and white). The crown weighs 2½ pounds.
Why don't put all this stuff on the public notes page and assume it is in the safe back at HQ.
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
OOC: I just don't remember if we ever divided it up / sold all of it or not. I am fine if it could be stored in a public place. Gil also has a whole bunch of spell books that I have been trying to keep track of which spells he has copied and which ones he has not lol
I don't think we sold any of it?
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"10000 gold pieces? That's not a substantial and yet to be determined bonus, that is a fixed number. Let's leave the bonus to be determined by how well you complete the agreement."
Reya says in response.
Meanwhile Thurstwell can be heard mumbling about how he can't believe you are negotiating a contract, in his bedroom, while having broken into his home. Where are his worthless guards?
"I would far more comfortable having some certainty around the bonus. What say we agree to a minimum of a value equivalent to all treasure we may find with an as yet undetermined upper limit dependent as you say on 'how well we complete the agreement." Tibi suggests.
Overhearing his mumbling, Tibi turns to hims and say "worthless and breathless is probably a more accurate description!"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"1500 gold pieces to each surviving member of your party as a bonus." She counters. "500 gold pieces as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased."
Tibi turns to the others "what say you gentlemen - can we live with that"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks