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.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Shaking his head, Murgen limped towards he Basilisk gate. Grumbling under his breath about being blackmailed into picking his weapons back up, he runs his fingers over the large book he keeps in his satchel. The memories of all his old comrades and the stories of the fallen fill the book. Now I am going back to the same work for a man I despise, he thinks. Coming around the corner to see the fight, Murgen shakes his head and tries to find a place he can sit down out of the way to watch (Stealth 16 to avoid being spotted by Zodge). Finding his seat he lights his pipe and pulls his crossbow out, setting it on his legs ready to take action if needed. His sharp brown eyes scanning the area for anyone who stands out as a leader of the commoners, of one the fighting companies he has fought alongside, or of interest. The Grey Wolves never would have been this sloppy. Captain would be so disappointed if he saw me now and my new employer.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Walking towards the Basilisk gate, Ignace is contemplating the past few days. Feeling no remorse over what happened, he only did what was right, exposing the charlatan Hiller. The fact that Hiller got himself killed while trying to murder him, is nothing but justice dealt quickly. That reminds him he should thank Dench for helping him, had he not come to his aid, things might have ended very differently. Nevertheless, someone reported them, and now he has to work for Zodge to avoid jail. Hearing the distant echoes of a commotion, he quickens his pace. Seeing a fight between the commoners and the soldiers at the gate, he pulls his priest cloak up, holds out his hands and addresses the crowd in a loud and deep voice: "My friends, you must see this fight is futile! Don't throw away your lives, live to fight another day!" (persuasion: 13)
"I did not hit him that hard," Dench mutters to himself. "I did not." Even thinking about it now makes him angry. And then being told Zodge has some task! What foul thing will Zodge want done? And if Dench doesn't do what Zodge wants? Zodge'll tell the temple. And they're already suspicious of him there. For no good reason.
Dench turns around a corner and sees the Flaming Fist trying to keep people in the city. The Fist has one solution, no matter what the problem: cow doesn't give enough milk? Kill it. Cobbler makes you a shoe that doesn't fit right? Kill him. Dench understands the appeal, he certainly does. But he is trying to be wiser, strategic about the use of force, especially since Hiller died. Still doesn't understand. "I did not hit him that hard," he mutters again.
And there's Ignace, yelling. Sounds like he's trying to calm people down. Why not? "Calm down," Dench bellows. "Back to your homes!" He doesn't want a fight, but he wants to intimidate: 9
Tabitha arrives after the other three, and as she approaches she grimaces. I hardly had anything to do with the business of the murder, she thought to herself, I knew it was a bad idea to get involved. She spots the Dench and Ignace trying to disperse the crowd and gives them each a grim smile and a wave. She spies Murgen as well, but gets the idea that he's trying not to be spotted.
Tabitha enters the crowd, lightly touching shoulders and arms as she does, "Friends, please, I know this is not ideal, but the situation will resolve itself in a manner of days. I understand that you're angry but I swear to you that this will pass." (persuasion: 16)
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I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Murgen Zodge scans the crowd, looking at the faces in the crowd. You see his gaze pass over you, but he fails to notice you as commoners continue to push forward.
Make a perception check to look for a “leader” figure in the crowd.
Ignace You climb up to get a better view of the crowd, and you yell out. The commoners don’t seem to care for you.
Dench Someone in the crowd throws a piece of trash at you.
Tabitha One of the commoners looks to you, and yells out: “What do you care? You don’t go through the things we do!”
When Tabitha responds, make another persuasion check.
Shaking his head, Murgen sees the people who had been at the scene of that blasted murder that dragged him into this. Guess it wasn't just me who got blackmailed. Chuckling he will wave to any of them that see him while waiting for the brawl to die down. No sense me getting involved. With my bad leg I wouldn't be of much use in there anyways.
Focusing on the crowd Ignace doesn't notice Murgen waving on the side. Nobody seems to pay him any mind. Hearing the shouts of Dench, he looks over just as a piece of trash hits the orc in the chest. While walking towards him he looks through the crowd to find Zodge (perception: 8). Arriving next to Dench, he greets him: "A fine morning we have right? Any ideas of how we might disperse the crowd? I'd prefer avoiding bloodshed."
Dench has his head high, trying to see over the crowd well enough to spot the turd who threw the rotten orange. But there are too many of them, all yelling and screaming. He does see Murgen's wave, the older guy who had been willing to lie for them. Dench nods at him. And, also trying to calm the crowd, the school teacher, Tabitha. So, they were all here. It's just finding Zodge.
"I don't know if we will be able to make the crowd calm, but maybe," Dench says to Ignace, "someone whose been here a bit longer has seen Zodge." He watches Tabith--no reason for the teacher to get hurt--but walks toward Murgen. "If the Fist back off, the crowd might do the same. Zodge runs the Fist. He might not listen, but we can tell him to call off his dogs."
Dench nods in greeting as he gets closer. "Have you seen him? Eyepatch, right? Black hair?" he asks Murgen.
Tabitha turns to face the person who called out, "Friend, perhaps you are right, but I see the impact of the decision to close this gate every day, and I assure you, a situation this delicate," She shoots a pointed look in the direction of Zodge, "Will not go unsolved for long. Violence, however, won't help in the slightest."
Persuasion: 19
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
"Throwing punches?" Dench says. "Just like a Flaming Fist to go starting a fight when they should be maintaining the peace!" He stares over his shoulder at Zodge. "Well? What do you all think? The strategic thing to do is probably not to beat him until he can't stand," or breathe Dench thinks. He swallows and thinks he didn't hit Hiller that hard again. "But we ought to do something."
Murgen You don’t notice much as you walk through the crowd. People are just pushing and pulling, and you’re distracted as you are knocked around.
Ignace The same goes for you. The crowd is being quite rowdy and it’s hard to see where exactly Captain Zodge is, but you keep pushing away people with your shield.
Dench The gear you have on you is a bit of an impediment, but you are able to move and push through the crowd to Zodge.
Tabitha You hear the rioting commoner grumble with dissatisfaction as he waves at a couple of people. “Come on, let’s go before the Flaming Fisters decide to kill people.” He walks away, followed by his friends. In moments, most of the riot is temporarily quelled. Many of the rioters have left.
You all watch as Zodge and some of the Flaming Fist guards by him sneer at the surrendering commoners. A few guards have captured and chained a couple of the rioters, probably to make an example out of them. Zodge sees you and grins. “Ahh, good. You’re all here. We need to talk. I hope you’re not too busy.”
Tabitha nods in satisfaction when she sees the crowd dispersing and begins to make her way towards Zodge. She frowns after he greets them, "Can we assume you have a job for us?"
"Yes, Zodge, tell us," Dench says. "What do we need to do so that we are no long beholden to you?" Dench studies the man's eye patch and estimates the number of Flaming Fist around him. "Once we have done this thing, you will leave us alone?"
Zodge chuckles. “You think it will all be over after this job I give you? You must be kidding yourself. You are all involved in a murder; you are crazy if you think one simple job will set things straight.” He turns around and waves you over. “Walk with me.” Taking a few paces, he begins speaking.
“The refugee crisis,” says Captain Zodge, “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.
“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 need your help.”
"Well, let's hear it. What are these other problems?" Dench says. He walks along side Zodge. "And look, I'm sure you're a warm and wonderful human being, but there must be some service that will "set things straight," as you say." He swallows and frowns. "I honestly don't understand what happened. It was more of an accident than anything. I didn't even mean to hurt him. He was trying to kill my buddy Ignace and I wanted to prevent that. That's all."
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.
Shaking his head, Murgen limped towards he Basilisk gate. Grumbling under his breath about being blackmailed into picking his weapons back up, he runs his fingers over the large book he keeps in his satchel. The memories of all his old comrades and the stories of the fallen fill the book. Now I am going back to the same work for a man I despise, he thinks. Coming around the corner to see the fight, Murgen shakes his head and tries to find a place he can sit down out of the way to watch (Stealth 16 to avoid being spotted by Zodge). Finding his seat he lights his pipe and pulls his crossbow out, setting it on his legs ready to take action if needed. His sharp brown eyes scanning the area for anyone who stands out as a leader of the commoners, of one the fighting companies he has fought alongside, or of interest. The Grey Wolves never would have been this sloppy. Captain would be so disappointed if he saw me now and my new employer.
Walking towards the Basilisk gate, Ignace is contemplating the past few days. Feeling no remorse over what happened, he only did what was right, exposing the charlatan Hiller. The fact that Hiller got himself killed while trying to murder him, is nothing but justice dealt quickly. That reminds him he should thank Dench for helping him, had he not come to his aid, things might have ended very differently. Nevertheless, someone reported them, and now he has to work for Zodge to avoid jail.
Hearing the distant echoes of a commotion, he quickens his pace. Seeing a fight between the commoners and the soldiers at the gate, he pulls his priest cloak up, holds out his hands and addresses the crowd in a loud and deep voice: "My friends, you must see this fight is futile! Don't throw away your lives, live to fight another day!" (persuasion: 13)
Characters:
Nute Kenku Druid - War of the Faithless
Ignace Miltorn Aasimar Paladin - Descent into Avernus
"I did not hit him that hard," Dench mutters to himself. "I did not." Even thinking about it now makes him angry. And then being told Zodge has some task! What foul thing will Zodge want done? And if Dench doesn't do what Zodge wants? Zodge'll tell the temple. And they're already suspicious of him there. For no good reason.
Dench turns around a corner and sees the Flaming Fist trying to keep people in the city. The Fist has one solution, no matter what the problem: cow doesn't give enough milk? Kill it. Cobbler makes you a shoe that doesn't fit right? Kill him. Dench understands the appeal, he certainly does. But he is trying to be wiser, strategic about the use of force, especially since Hiller died. Still doesn't understand. "I did not hit him that hard," he mutters again.
And there's Ignace, yelling. Sounds like he's trying to calm people down. Why not? "Calm down," Dench bellows. "Back to your homes!" He doesn't want a fight, but he wants to intimidate: 9
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Tabitha arrives after the other three, and as she approaches she grimaces. I hardly had anything to do with the business of the murder, she thought to herself, I knew it was a bad idea to get involved. She spots the Dench and Ignace trying to disperse the crowd and gives them each a grim smile and a wave. She spies Murgen as well, but gets the idea that he's trying not to be spotted.
Tabitha enters the crowd, lightly touching shoulders and arms as she does, "Friends, please, I know this is not ideal, but the situation will resolve itself in a manner of days. I understand that you're angry but I swear to you that this will pass." (persuasion: 16)
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Zodge Perception: 3
Murgen
Zodge scans the crowd, looking at the faces in the crowd. You see his gaze pass over you, but he fails to notice you as commoners continue to push forward.
Make a perception check to look for a “leader” figure in the crowd.
Ignace
You climb up to get a better view of the crowd, and you yell out. The commoners don’t seem to care for you.
Dench
Someone in the crowd throws a piece of trash at you.
Tabitha
One of the commoners looks to you, and yells out: “What do you care? You don’t go through the things we do!”
When Tabitha responds, make another persuasion check.
Perception: 8
Shaking his head, Murgen sees the people who had been at the scene of that blasted murder that dragged him into this. Guess it wasn't just me who got blackmailed. Chuckling he will wave to any of them that see him while waiting for the brawl to die down. No sense me getting involved. With my bad leg I wouldn't be of much use in there anyways.
Focusing on the crowd Ignace doesn't notice Murgen waving on the side. Nobody seems to pay him any mind. Hearing the shouts of Dench, he looks over just as a piece of trash hits the orc in the chest. While walking towards him he looks through the crowd to find Zodge (perception: 8). Arriving next to Dench, he greets him: "A fine morning we have right? Any ideas of how we might disperse the crowd? I'd prefer avoiding bloodshed."
Characters:
Nute Kenku Druid - War of the Faithless
Ignace Miltorn Aasimar Paladin - Descent into Avernus
Dench has his head high, trying to see over the crowd well enough to spot the turd who threw the rotten orange. But there are too many of them, all yelling and screaming. He does see Murgen's wave, the older guy who had been willing to lie for them. Dench nods at him. And, also trying to calm the crowd, the school teacher, Tabitha. So, they were all here. It's just finding Zodge.
"I don't know if we will be able to make the crowd calm, but maybe," Dench says to Ignace, "someone whose been here a bit longer has seen Zodge." He watches Tabith--no reason for the teacher to get hurt--but walks toward Murgen. "If the Fist back off, the crowd might do the same. Zodge runs the Fist. He might not listen, but we can tell him to call off his dogs."
Dench nods in greeting as he gets closer. "Have you seen him? Eyepatch, right? Black hair?" he asks Murgen.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Tabitha turns to face the person who called out, "Friend, perhaps you are right, but I see the impact of the decision to close this gate every day, and I assure you, a situation this delicate," She shoots a pointed look in the direction of Zodge, "Will not go unsolved for long. Violence, however, won't help in the slightest."
Persuasion: 19
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Nodding at Dench as he approaches, Murgen replies, "He is in the middle of that fray. Jumped in as soon as it started and began throwing punches."
"Throwing punches?" Dench says. "Just like a Flaming Fist to go starting a fight when they should be maintaining the peace!" He stares over his shoulder at Zodge. "Well? What do you all think? The strategic thing to do is probably not to beat him until he can't stand," or breathe Dench thinks. He swallows and thinks he didn't hit Hiller that hard again. "But we ought to do something."
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Dench slings his shield onto his arm. He leaves his hammer on his belt. "Watch my back," he says and wades into the riot.
He'll take the Dodge action and push his way through until Zodge sees him. "Call this off so we can all talk," he yells.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Ignace follows Dench, covering his back. Shield at the ready to push back anyone that comes too close (strength: 12)
Characters:
Nute Kenku Druid - War of the Faithless
Ignace Miltorn Aasimar Paladin - Descent into Avernus
Murgen
You don’t notice much as you walk through the crowd. People are just pushing and pulling, and you’re distracted as you are knocked around.
Ignace
The same goes for you. The crowd is being quite rowdy and it’s hard to see where exactly Captain Zodge is, but you keep pushing away people with your shield.
Dench
The gear you have on you is a bit of an impediment, but you are able to move and push through the crowd to Zodge.
Tabitha
You hear the rioting commoner grumble with dissatisfaction as he waves at a couple of people. “Come on, let’s go before the Flaming Fisters decide to kill people.” He walks away, followed by his friends. In moments, most of the riot is temporarily quelled. Many of the rioters have left.
You all watch as Zodge and some of the Flaming Fist guards by him sneer at the surrendering commoners. A few guards have captured and chained a couple of the rioters, probably to make an example out of them. Zodge sees you and grins. “Ahh, good. You’re all here. We need to talk. I hope you’re not too busy.”
Tabitha nods in satisfaction when she sees the crowd dispersing and begins to make her way towards Zodge. She frowns after he greets them, "Can we assume you have a job for us?"
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
Looking at Zodge, Murgen shakes his head. "What do you want us to do? Sooner this is over the better."
"Yes, Zodge, tell us," Dench says. "What do we need to do so that we are no long beholden to you?" Dench studies the man's eye patch and estimates the number of Flaming Fist around him. "Once we have done this thing, you will leave us alone?"
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Zodge chuckles. “You think it will all be over after this job I give you? You must be kidding yourself. You are all involved in a murder; you are crazy if you think one simple job will set things straight.” He turns around and waves you over. “Walk with me.” Taking a few paces, he begins speaking.
“The refugee crisis,” says Captain Zodge, “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.
“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 need your help.”
"Well, let's hear it. What are these other problems?" Dench says. He walks along side Zodge. "And look, I'm sure you're a warm and wonderful human being, but there must be some service that will "set things straight," as you say." He swallows and frowns. "I honestly don't understand what happened. It was more of an accident than anything. I didn't even mean to hurt him. He was trying to kill my buddy Ignace and I wanted to prevent that. That's all."
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard