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 Baidu r'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 the 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 Fistto 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 Helias at the Black Dragon Gate, which pierces the city's northern wall and takes its name from the huge statue that perch atop its battlements. Unseen beyond the sealed Black Dragon Gate, a dirt road stretches through the Outer City slums, then to distant realms north land 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 Helias - a tall man with long grey hair and a missing arm- it takes you a while to find him.
A fight breaks out between soldiers and commoners, and you finally spot the one-armed captain as he wades into the fray and begins throwing punches.
Just another day in the City of Blood.
You are grouped together and have been looking for the Captain for a while. Depending on how long you have been staying in Baldur's Gate feel free to add some things to the scene.
At the sight of the Fist raising arms against the commoners raises his ire, he calms himself to make sure he understands the scene before him. He looks at the group he has been assigned, looking for their reaction, attempting to gauge their intentions. Standing next to the Bugbear he has been fascinated by since being introduced, he leans in and ask
Are these people not allowed to leave? Is the Flaming Fist here to protect the denizens of Baldur’s Gate or confine them?
A particularly short dwarf in a scale-mail coat with a crossbow holstered at her waist bounces impatiently on her toes to try and see over the crowd.
Ingrid has been with the Flaming Fist for a couple of weeks, but she’s still not quite used to pushing into angry crowds, rather than trying to escape. More used to work in her family’s forge in the Upper City (and when she could get away with it, tinkering in her little workspace in her room, or even collaborating with deacons and readers in the High House of Wonders - weaponsmithing is alright as it goes, but there’s so much potential in arcane mechanics!), her parents have insisted that she put down her fanciful toys and get some real-world experience on the use of weapons and the importance of quality smithing. She’s definitely getting an education, even if the Fist have had her mostly doing minor errands and grinding out nicks in swords - at least until this crisis had her assigned to a squad.
“Do you think that’s him? The tall man who just punched that ginger human - he’s only got one arm”
Pan walks behind the group, taking in the scene. Still new to Baldur's Gate, if one does not count the time he was imprisoned, he still can't get used to the violence that seems to permeate it.
He is wearing leather for protection and simple grey clothing that shows no wear. A dagger and a crossbow are strapped to his belt, and he is carrying a backpack. He has brown hair of medium length and the soft, round face of a human, but his pointy ears and gold eyes betray him for a half-elf. What would catch a passerby's eye, however, are the bandages covering his entire neck and apparently going down around his upper chest and back, from what can be seen under his loose clothes. Greying and showing sickly yellowish spots, the bandages look alike they needed to be changed.
"The gates are sealed to keep refugees out, but these people want to leave. They really believe whatever befell Elturel is coming this way. I would rather not get involved, but if we join in, the increased force might scare them away."
Hauttrag shuffles his feet, standing on tippy toes despite his 7 and the rest feet of height, his reddish brown skin beginning to glisten with a sheen of nervous sweat. That's a lot of people. A lot. He can feel them sucking in the air, the heat of the throng as they surge forward. Despite his height the walls tower over him, threatening to topple at any second and crush..
“We have to help, surely? Our job is to keep the peace and besides, we were told to find Captain Helias and he’s in the thick of it. If the fight spreads, a lot more people could get hurt, I think?” Ingrid tries to sound decisive and confident, but it really doesn’t carry, especially when she doesn’t take a step forward.
We're not allowed to leave? We're not allowed to leave!
Hauttrags throat dries out, his voice cracks and he manages a "oooooooh nooooo!"but little else.
"Don't worry big guy, we are with the people who man the gates and walls. I'm sure they would let us out if we asked nicely."
Pan does not remember ever reading anything good about bugbears, yet there he was, teaming up with one. And despite his being over 7 feet tall, this one seemed strangely vulnerable.
Nikkoli looks out over the fight as it goes on, "Regardless of the situation at the gate, shouldn't we attempt to at least stop the fighting?" He gives a small smile to the party before stepping up on a box/crate. He then puts his hands over his mouth and casts Thaumaturgy, increasing the volume of his own voice, "Cease this conflict at once! There's ale to be had in the taverns and warm food in the halls! There is no need to bruise and break yourselves against steel plate or bleed against blades! Cease fighting!!!"
“I don’t like this. Those people are frightened. The only way i know to stop a tavern brawl id to shock them all at once. A cold shower, a electric spark or maybe a dragon would do the trick here. For now i would sugest we establish a save perimeter around the captain to allow him to take charge of the situation. Right know he is just another pair of fists.”...”Sorry, you know what i meant.”
With that i start to shove my way through the crowd towards Captain Helias, just waiting long enough for my companions to follow.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing Leo push into the throng, Hauttrag snaps out of his anxiety, raising himself to his full height and bellowing "make WAAAAAAAAY!" and (with a brief hesitation to steel himself) tries to follow the dwarf in.
Having never been involved in a brawl and being perfectly conscious of little muscle strength he had, Pan stands back, watching the scene for anything out of place, anyone trying to take advantage of the situation and how distracted the guards are.
“Oh dear!” Trusting to her mailshirt and making sure her hand axes were still on her belt, Ingrid followed Leo and Hauttrag into the crowd. Taking a deep breath, she bellowed “calm down everyone, calm down! This isn’t helping anyone, so please, let’s all calm down before anyone gets hurt!”
persuasion to calm and/or thin out the crowd 2
athletics to shove people out of the way and separate fighters from spectators 10
Nikkoli's appeal for calm (and the strong presence of his fellow companions ) are enough to deter the crowd from staying. Like a balloon deflating the civilians flee the scene. Several, need to be helped up.
The Captain grins triumphantly as the Gate clears, almost like it is on his merits, and turns toward you all as the rest of his soldier secure the streets.
"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 Black Dragon Gate is High Road Tavern. A spy named Odin hangs out there, gathering rumors for the Guild. He owes me a favor, so tell her you work for me. Ask him what he knows about the Dead Three. And, for the love of Baldur, be nice. Odin has dangerous friends."
Pan is glad the scene did not degenerate into bloodshed, and surprised to see that the Captain is still in good spirits after all of that. However, he was not sure he felt good about the Captain's instructions.
"Captain, a pleasure to meet you, sir, I'm Pancoril Hatali. These... wretches, do they wear any symbols or clothes to allow easy recognition? It's just that, uh, killing on sight seems a bit extreme. There could be innocent or misguided people among their ranks, too."
Hauttrag's ears perk up. All he has to do is kill 3 guys and he makes an acquaintance? That's one step away from making a friend! And friends help friends! Sweet sweet nectars!
"It's done!"he cries, beating his chest with one fist, grinning a wide, fangy smile. Being a mercenary was a piece of piss.
Nikkoli gave a nervous smile and small laugh, he was all for stopping bad guys, just like the stories he heard as a kid, but killing was new to him. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but still, it would be worse to do nothing. "Hopefully we can resolve this without additional bloodshed." Looking back at his fellow 'deputies', he beams and nods in the direction of the Black Dragon Gate, "Well shall we get started, the sooner we can deal with this, the better right?"
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Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
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 Baidu r'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 the 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 Helias at the Black Dragon Gate, which pierces the city's northern wall and takes its name from the huge statue that perch atop its battlements. Unseen beyond the sealed Black Dragon Gate, a dirt road stretches through the Outer City slums, then to distant realms north land 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 Helias - a tall man with long grey hair and a missing arm- it takes you a while to find him.
A fight breaks out between soldiers and commoners, and you finally spot the one-armed captain as he wades into the fray and begins throwing punches.
Just another day in the City of Blood.
You are grouped together and have been looking for the Captain for a while. Depending on how long you have been staying in Baldur's Gate feel free to add some things to the scene.
At the sight of the Fist raising arms against the commoners raises his ire, he calms himself to make sure he understands the scene before him. He looks at the group he has been assigned, looking for their reaction, attempting to gauge their intentions. Standing next to the Bugbear he has been fascinated by since being introduced, he leans in and ask
Are these people not allowed to leave? Is the Flaming Fist here to protect the denizens of Baldur’s Gate or confine them?
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
A particularly short dwarf in a scale-mail coat with a crossbow holstered at her waist bounces impatiently on her toes to try and see over the crowd.
Ingrid has been with the Flaming Fist for a couple of weeks, but she’s still not quite used to pushing into angry crowds, rather than trying to escape. More used to work in her family’s forge in the Upper City (and when she could get away with it, tinkering in her little workspace in her room, or even collaborating with deacons and readers in the High House of Wonders - weaponsmithing is alright as it goes, but there’s so much potential in arcane mechanics!), her parents have insisted that she put down her fanciful toys and get some real-world experience on the use of weapons and the importance of quality smithing. She’s definitely getting an education, even if the Fist have had her mostly doing minor errands and grinding out nicks in swords - at least until this crisis had her assigned to a squad.
“Do you think that’s him? The tall man who just punched that ginger human - he’s only got one arm”
Pan walks behind the group, taking in the scene. Still new to Baldur's Gate, if one does not count the time he was imprisoned, he still can't get used to the violence that seems to permeate it.
He is wearing leather for protection and simple grey clothing that shows no wear. A dagger and a crossbow are strapped to his belt, and he is carrying a backpack. He has brown hair of medium length and the soft, round face of a human, but his pointy ears and gold eyes betray him for a half-elf. What would catch a passerby's eye, however, are the bandages covering his entire neck and apparently going down around his upper chest and back, from what can be seen under his loose clothes. Greying and showing sickly yellowish spots, the bandages look alike they needed to be changed.
"The gates are sealed to keep refugees out, but these people want to leave. They really believe whatever befell Elturel is coming this way. I would rather not get involved, but if we join in, the increased force might scare them away."
Hauttrag shuffles his feet, standing on tippy toes despite his 7 and the rest feet of height, his reddish brown skin beginning to glisten with a sheen of nervous sweat. That's a lot of people. A lot. He can feel them sucking in the air, the heat of the throng as they surge forward. Despite his height the walls tower over him, threatening to topple at any second and crush..
We're not allowed to leave? We're not allowed to leave!
Hauttrags throat dries out, his voice cracks and he manages a "oooooooh nooooo!" but little else.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
“We have to help, surely? Our job is to keep the peace and besides, we were told to find Captain Helias and he’s in the thick of it. If the fight spreads, a lot more people could get hurt, I think?” Ingrid tries to sound decisive and confident, but it really doesn’t carry, especially when she doesn’t take a step forward.
"Don't worry big guy, we are with the people who man the gates and walls. I'm sure they would let us out if we asked nicely."
Pan does not remember ever reading anything good about bugbears, yet there he was, teaming up with one. And despite his being over 7 feet tall, this one seemed strangely vulnerable.
Nikkoli looks out over the fight as it goes on, "Regardless of the situation at the gate, shouldn't we attempt to at least stop the fighting?" He gives a small smile to the party before stepping up on a box/crate. He then puts his hands over his mouth and casts Thaumaturgy, increasing the volume of his own voice, "Cease this conflict at once! There's ale to be had in the taverns and warm food in the halls! There is no need to bruise and break yourselves against steel plate or bleed against blades! Cease fighting!!!"
(should I roll something for that?)
Realising Nikkoli’s intent to calm the situation, Ingrid reached over as he stepped onto the crate and cast Guidance on the human.
“I don’t like this. Those people are frightened. The only way i know to stop a tavern brawl id to shock them all at once. A cold shower, a electric spark or maybe a dragon would do the trick here. For now i would sugest we establish a save perimeter around the captain to allow him to take charge of the situation. Right know he is just another pair of fists.”...”Sorry, you know what i meant.”
With that i start to shove my way through the crowd towards Captain Helias, just waiting long enough for my companions to follow.
Athletics roll to shove people out of the way: 14
Seeing Leo push into the throng, Hauttrag snaps out of his anxiety, raising himself to his full height and bellowing "make WAAAAAAAAY!" and (with a brief hesitation to steel himself) tries to follow the dwarf in.
Intimidation 8
Athletics 21
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Having never been involved in a brawl and being perfectly conscious of little muscle strength he had, Pan stands back, watching the scene for anything out of place, anyone trying to take advantage of the situation and how distracted the guards are.
Perception: 12
“Oh dear!” Trusting to her mailshirt and making sure her hand axes were still on her belt, Ingrid followed Leo and Hauttrag into the crowd. Taking a deep breath, she bellowed “calm down everyone, calm down! This isn’t helping anyone, so please, let’s all calm down before anyone gets hurt!”
persuasion to calm and/or thin out the crowd 2
athletics to shove people out of the way and separate fighters from spectators 10
If in doubt do roll. And nicely played.
Leo and Hauttrag have little trouble moving through the crowd who seems jolted and surprised to have a new threat coming into their back.
Captain Helias smiles and shouts at the crowd after knocking a civilian down " Come on, be smart about this. This can only end one way."
The Flaming Fist are known for their no nonsense demeanor and without their leader present have begun taking to even harsher measures
(the roll for the crowd)
Persuasion: 20 + 3(guidance)
Nikkoli's appeal for calm (and the strong presence of his fellow companions ) are enough to deter the crowd from staying. Like a balloon deflating the civilians flee the scene. Several, need to be helped up.
The Captain grins triumphantly as the Gate clears, almost like it is on his merits, and turns toward you all as the rest of his soldier secure the streets.
"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 Black Dragon Gate is High Road Tavern. A spy named Odin hangs out there, gathering rumors for the Guild. He owes me a favor, so tell her you work for me. Ask him what he knows about the Dead Three. And, for the love of Baldur, be nice. Odin has dangerous friends."
Pan is glad the scene did not degenerate into bloodshed, and surprised to see that the Captain is still in good spirits after all of that. However, he was not sure he felt good about the Captain's instructions.
"Captain, a pleasure to meet you, sir, I'm Pancoril Hatali. These... wretches, do they wear any symbols or clothes to allow easy recognition? It's just that, uh, killing on sight seems a bit extreme. There could be innocent or misguided people among their ranks, too."
Hauttrag's ears perk up. All he has to do is kill 3 guys and he makes an acquaintance? That's one step away from making a friend! And friends help friends! Sweet sweet nectars!
"It's done!" he cries, beating his chest with one fist, grinning a wide, fangy smile. Being a mercenary was a piece of piss.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Nikkoli gave a nervous smile and small laugh, he was all for stopping bad guys, just like the stories he heard as a kid, but killing was new to him. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but still, it would be worse to do nothing. "Hopefully we can resolve this without additional bloodshed." Looking back at his fellow 'deputies', he beams and nods in the direction of the Black Dragon Gate, "Well shall we get started, the sooner we can deal with this, the better right?"