Baldur’s Gate began as a harbor town where traders would meet with “ghost lighters” — folk along the Sword Coast who used lights to lure fogbound ships to shore. When those ships ran aground, the ghost lighters would scavenge the wrecks and haul their plundered goods to Baldur’s Gate, nestled on the north shore of a bend in the River Chionthar, and sell their booty. In the years since, Baldur’s Gate has grown into a walled city. Today, its foggy streets run red with the blood of unfortunates who fall prey to evil opportunists, many of whom count themselves as nobles, traders, pirates, and assassins. An army of mercenary soldiers called the Flaming Fist keeps order in the city, and these soldiers answer to Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard. The members of the Flaming Fist don’t care about justice; they crave power and coin, nothing else. But despite the Fist’s reputation for cruelty, the Grand Duke is widely regarded as an honorable and reasonable man.
The city of Elturel, capital of Elturgard, is located much farther inland along the River Chionthar. Whereas Baldur’s Gate has a well-earned reputation for being a nest of vipers, Elturel is seen as a beacon of faith, order, and high culture. The two cities have endured a long, bitter rivalry that originated when Baldur’s Gate began stealing cargo and coin from ships heading to and from Elturel, stifling that city’s sea trade. Though the conflicts between Baldur’s Gate and Elturel have always fallen short of open warfare, relations between the cities have been tense for a long time — too long, some would say.
A tenday ago, 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. Ravengard did not go eagerly, however. It took months of persuasion by his fellow dukes — the other three members of Baldur’s Gate’s ruling Council of Four — to convince him to accept Elturel’s invitation and leave the city in their capable hands. Duke Thalamra Vanthampur was especially convincing, having gathered petitions from the nobility as well as leaders of the common rabble.
Rumors concerning Elturel’s disappearance spread like wildfire, stoking fears that Baldur’s Gate might be next. At the same time, panic swept through the ranks of the Flaming Fist, which suddenly found itself without a strong leader.
In the grand duke’s absence, the government of Baldur’s Gate continues to function under the three remaining dukes — Belynne Stelmane, Dillard Portyr, and Thalamra Vanthampur. Duke Portyr has gone so far as to recall his niece, Liara Portyr, from her post as commander of the Flaming Fist at Fort Beluarian in Chult, in the hopes that she can keep the Flaming Fist in check. However, it will take time for her ship to arrive. Meanwhile, refugees from Elturgard continue to arrive with dire claims that nothing remains of Elturel except a crater in the ground.
In the grand duke’s absence, the government of Baldur’s Gate continues to function under the three remaining dukes — Belynne Stelmane, Dillard Portyr, and Thalamra Vanthampur. Duke Portyr has gone so far as to recall his niece, Liara Portyr, from her post as commander of the Flaming Fist at Fort Beluarian in Chult, in the hopes that she can keep the Flaming Fist in check. However, it will take time for her ship to arrive. Meanwhile, refugees from Elturgard continue to arrive with dire claims that nothing remains of Elturel except a crater in the ground.
Among those fleeing Elturgard are several Hellriders — paladins who have sworn oaths to defend Elturel. Those warriors escaped the city’s fate only because they weren’t in Elturel when it fell, and the Flaming Fist has taken to arresting them on sight, lest they try to stir up trouble in Baldur’s Gate. The Hellriders are not going quietly, however, leading to violence and bloodshed.
Without Ulder Ravengard to stay their hand, Flaming Fist captains are brutally exercising their autonomy under the veneer of maintaining order. They’ve closed the outer gates to keep Baldur’s Gate safe from the refugee “threat,” effectively trapping Baldurians behind their own walls.
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.
Describe your character ( for those who will read ) and what you are currently doing at the Basilisk Gate. You may have arrived before or are part of a larger group. You decide.
“Order!! Order!! City is in lockdown for your safety! A proclamation shall be issued, should evacuation be mandated. Order!!”
Blaze Astra Andasca wades into the fray, trying not to use her shield too aggressively as she moves through the mob. These people are petrified of the unknown. No need to make them afraid of us as well. The Captain should conduct himself as such. Obviously she is new to the company.
“Fists!! Keep order!! Enforce it, don’t disrupt it!!” In the absence of true leadership. Astra endeavors to step in and fill the void. Perhaps he shall lose his other eye in these brawling antics. “People!! Calm!”
Astrid Andasca is a female Tiefling in her middle twenties, who carries herself with an easy air of authority. She stands 5’ 10”, not counting her short horns which extend upward in a single spiral. Her complexion is a pale purplish hue, mauve perhaps, and her eyes and hair are both brown. She possesses long, backswept pointed ears, the same color as her horns, both of which become a cream color toward the tips.
Heavy footsteps precede the arrival of a sturdy dwarf, just reaching 5 ft in his boots, but from his build, likely outweighing most folks of the taller races. The immediate impression he gives off is of just being incredibly solid. There are some myths about dwarves being crafted out of rock and iron, before life being breathed into them by their creator, and its a story that seems to possibly hold truth in his case. He's outfitted in scale mail, with a shield on his left arm emblazoned with an flaming axe emblem. He carries a long warhammer of his shoulder, the head of which is fist sized on one side, and comes to a blunt point on the back. The dwarf's long red hair is braided back and tucked beneath his armor, and beard is braided along each side, the thick braids swinging free in front beneath a bushy red mustache. His nose is a bit squashed to one side, likely broken and not set quite properly at some point in his past. Those with an eye for judging dwarf ages would put him at the end of his fourth or start of his fifth decade.
"Tharmekhul guide my hand." , he mutters before pushing forward, shouldering folks aside, scale slithering metallically as he works his way to the Captain. "Pardon me, excuse me, just coming through here..."
"Captain Zodge, sir! Durthek Emberfist, reporting!", he calls out when he gets close enough to the Captain.
((If any of the commoners throw punches his way, he'll let them bust their knuckles against his shield and keep pushing forward.))
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Kulogall is a 6 foot tall Triton who strides forward, his new Flaming Fist vest and uniform on with no blood or muddy spatter on it, yet. “Order, we need order here!” He looks to his fellow Flaming Fists as “really good guys, why wouldn’t officers of the law be good?” He is smiling, curious about the behavior of these Baldur’s Gate folk, and ready to “do some good” here. He is carrying a spear and says in a loud voice “ORDER, WE NEED CALM HERE!” and then booms it out over the crowd’s head with a minor illusion. He pushes people back with a gust if needed, letting others know of his sorcerous power in order to reach the Captain.
Ariborys is trying to keep his head down and avoid the worst of the fray, hiding behind Astrid and her shield, somewhat.
Ariborys is medium height and build with the red skin and black goat’s horns so typical of his race. He has a heavy leather coat loose around his body, and a pack full of belongings as he hasn’t found a permanent place to stay for he and his siblings yet.
“Get ‘em, captain!” He shouts supportively to the captain.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Richard Asher is human male, with pale complexion and red hair, with grey-blue eye's. His build is on the slimmer, but still athletic side.
Richardstands at the edges of the commotion, adjusting his new Flaming Fist tabard, warn over his leather armour.
Richardlooks over the fray with a smile.
"Looks like people are releasing some frustration."
Continuing to speak to himself, Richardpulls out a copper coin and flips it in the air.
"Heads I wade into the fray and tails I try and skirt the edges."
1-10 Tails; 11-20 Heads: 15
The coin comes up tails.
"Hmm, best keep to the edges then."
Richardstarts to make his way around the ruckus, trying to get closer to the captain.
As he moves through the people around the perimeter, Richarddodges this way and that to avoid getting stuck or struck. A couple of time, just as someone was about to move into Richardway, they instead stumble out of his way and he darts passed.
Richarduses Telekinetic - Shove if needed to, push people out of the way, without it being obvious he did.
Getting closer to the captain's position, Richard calls out.
"Captain Zodge?! Reporting in as ordered!"
Richardkeeps to the edges of the melee, waiting for a response from captain Zodge, but secretly making use of his telekinetic skills to try and save his fellow Flaming Fist from getting hit from any unseen attackers.
Richarduses Telekinetic - Shove and Telekinetic - Mage Handto maneuver and distract people, to try and reduce the hits coming in on any Flaming Fist members currently in the fight.
Thamior slowly weaves his way through the crowd. Whereas in the woods his green clothing would be good camouflage, here in a forest of people it makes him easy to spot. This is also helped by his hood being down, leaving his blue hair out in the open. He uses this to approach those that look easier to calm. A few words in elvish or halfling given to those that speak them, or a piece of ration given to parents trying to calm their kids. This is how he makes his way towards the captain, avoiding anything that would cause a longer pause.
Coming within hearing distance, he waits a second taking the situation in. Witnessing others reporting in, he proceeds likewise: "Enlistee Boarblade reporting in, Captain Zodge, sir!" His voice as he says this is a lot stronger than one might expect from his average build.
Redric Ironeater trails behind Durthek by about half a block, nervously glancing about while trying to keep pace with the taller, longer limbed dwarf. Of the same race, though much smaller in build, Redric is relatively normal in proportion, though perhaps a tad on the slim side. Dark red and black of beard, bald-headed, and wearing a deep red crimson cap, he tries to keep an eye on the dark alleyways of the city. His clothing is clearly a Flaming Fist cape, already somehow dirtied with the ever-present dust and grime of the city, and partially covered over by means of folding and some grey rags. Seeing Durthek wade into the fray towards the captain, he half-shouts a warning, but is unwilling to draw undue attention to himself. Noting the wedge formed by the efforts of the thickset dwarf and the two tieflings, he briefly considers slipping in behind them. He also notes a tall blue fellow carrying a spear while practicing thaumaturgy on the hapless riot. He nervously steps around him, wary of the target such clear use of magic paints on those who practice it, and spies instead a human fellow in Fist regalia making good progress towards the Captain. He dithers for a moment, sputtering and chewing an a loose bit of beard. He cocks his head downwards as a faint chirp buzzes from within his cloak. He nods, choosing to stay within the protective wedge formed by Durthek and Blaze. He swings around a crossbow, loading a bolt to discourage the first person who might stray too close.
Unaccustomed to the level of unrest displayed in the scene before her, Astra whispers a brief incantation beneath her breath. When next she speaks, those about her will surely hear her words over the ruckus and row!
”People of Baldur’s Gate, Hear Me!! Return to Your Homes, That We May Restore Order!! Cease This Fighting at Once!!”
And indeed, her voice rings out over the crowd, louder by several orders of magnitude. Those near her may not listen, but they surely hear.
The mob moves like a tide and some of you need to use spells or skills to keep from being overrun.
Durthek is like a rock against the current. He moves, unstoppable, toward the captain.
The booming voice of Kulogall, a tall blue soldier dressed in Flaming Fist tabard, shatters for an instant the flow of the mob. The more experienced Fists make their move as the people falter. In less than a minute the mob is back under control.
Captain Zodge smiles as Thamior, Richard and Durthek salute in unison. Redric a few paces behind waits.
"Eager recruit..." the captain voices trails off as he moves away from the crowd clearly expecting you to follow. " Haven't seen those in a while. Good choices I made."
He waits for Ariborys, Kulogall, and Astra to join them before continuing.
“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.”
He takes a deep breath before launching into explanations.
“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.”
"Any questions ?"
I'll put the Elfsong Tavern on the map. You can use the time to go there to get acquainted (or not ). You can also ask questions to the captain but he doesn't look like he is in a mood for more than a few.
Also, I used the wrong color I'll change it next time. Sorry Richard :-;
Kulogall says to the Captain "Can you describe Tarina for us, how will we recognize her? We don't want to ask for her at the bar or give her away." After asking the question, Kulogall says "You can count on us sir, we will make it happen!" He turns to his companions and says "I thought I heard some Moonshae accents, I'm from Alaron, it is good to have some fellow countrymen to work with in this task."
((Captain giving any response to question about whether it's one cohesive cult or three separate ones? If he seems like he wants us to just leave already, Durthek's ready to roll.))
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Once Zodge has finished his briefing, Astra speaks up: “Alright, you heard the Captain. We’re going to the tavern! Don’t think there’s any chance of us going in incognito as a group, but perhaps one of you feels up to losing the tabard and making contact discreetly? The rest of us can find a table close by, and carry on like an off-duty patrol.”
((Captain giving any response to question about whether it's one cohesive cult or three separate ones? If he seems like he wants us to just leave already, Durthek's ready to roll.))
Sorry forgot
The captain nods at the question regarding the Three. "I think they might work in concert but I wouldn't put it past any of those groups to try and ber=tray the others to get the upper hand."
He adds before looking back at the gate. " Be careful with those but they need to feel the Fist of justice. Whoever they may be."
Kulogall stands upright and says "I think I could force an alcoholic beverage down my throat to keep up the ruse. It might even be enjoyable." He gives an odd smile. He looks over at Richard - "Perhaps you would be up to the task, to speak with Tarina? What say you? Are you skilled in such subtleties?"
Thamior gives the captain a salute before the group leaves towards the tavern. To Kulogall's earlier musings, he says: "Oh, island dwellers? Sounds interesting. I'm from a small city up north myself. Yartar, if you've heard of it." After Astra suggests a discreet approach, he rises his hand and says: "That fits my skillset, I'll volunteer if anyone doesn't mind."
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Baldur’s Gate began as a harbor town where traders would meet with “ghost lighters” — folk along the Sword Coast who used lights to lure fogbound ships to shore. When those ships ran aground, the ghost lighters would scavenge the wrecks and haul their plundered goods to Baldur’s Gate, nestled on the north shore of a bend in the River Chionthar, and sell their booty. In the years since, Baldur’s Gate has grown into a walled city. Today, its foggy streets run red with the blood of unfortunates who fall prey to evil opportunists, many of whom count themselves as nobles, traders, pirates, and assassins. An army of mercenary soldiers called the Flaming Fist keeps order in the city, and these soldiers answer to Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard. The members of the Flaming Fist don’t care about justice; they crave power and coin, nothing else. But despite the Fist’s reputation for cruelty, the Grand Duke is widely regarded as an honorable and reasonable man.
The city of Elturel, capital of Elturgard, is located much farther inland along the River Chionthar. Whereas Baldur’s Gate has a well-earned reputation for being a nest of vipers, Elturel is seen as a beacon of faith, order, and high culture. The two cities have endured a long, bitter rivalry that originated when Baldur’s Gate began stealing cargo and coin from ships heading to and from Elturel, stifling that city’s sea trade. Though the conflicts between Baldur’s Gate and Elturel have always fallen short of open warfare, relations between the cities have been tense for a long time — too long, some would say.
A tenday ago, 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. Ravengard did not go eagerly, however. It took months of persuasion by his fellow dukes — the other three members of Baldur’s Gate’s ruling Council of Four — to convince him to accept Elturel’s invitation and leave the city in their capable hands. Duke Thalamra Vanthampur was especially convincing, having gathered petitions from the nobility as well as leaders of the common rabble.
Rumors concerning Elturel’s disappearance spread like wildfire, stoking fears that Baldur’s Gate might be next. At the same time, panic swept through the ranks of the Flaming Fist, which suddenly found itself without a strong leader.
In the grand duke’s absence, the government of Baldur’s Gate continues to function under the three remaining dukes — Belynne Stelmane, Dillard Portyr, and Thalamra Vanthampur. Duke Portyr has gone so far as to recall his niece, Liara Portyr, from her post as commander of the Flaming Fist at Fort Beluarian in Chult, in the hopes that she can keep the Flaming Fist in check. However, it will take time for her ship to arrive. Meanwhile, refugees from Elturgard continue to arrive with dire claims that nothing remains of Elturel except a crater in the ground.
In the grand duke’s absence, the government of Baldur’s Gate continues to function under the three remaining dukes — Belynne Stelmane, Dillard Portyr, and Thalamra Vanthampur. Duke Portyr has gone so far as to recall his niece, Liara Portyr, from her post as commander of the Flaming Fist at Fort Beluarian in Chult, in the hopes that she can keep the Flaming Fist in check. However, it will take time for her ship to arrive. Meanwhile, refugees from Elturgard continue to arrive with dire claims that nothing remains of Elturel except a crater in the ground.
Among those fleeing Elturgard are several Hellriders — paladins who have sworn oaths to defend Elturel. Those warriors escaped the city’s fate only because they weren’t in Elturel when it fell, and the Flaming Fist has taken to arresting them on sight, lest they try to stir up trouble in Baldur’s Gate. The Hellriders are not going quietly, however, leading to violence and bloodshed.
Without Ulder Ravengard to stay their hand, Flaming Fist captains are brutally exercising their autonomy under the veneer of maintaining order. They’ve closed the outer gates to keep Baldur’s Gate safe from the refugee “threat,” effectively trapping Baldurians behind their own walls.
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.
Describe your character ( for those who will read ) and what you are currently doing at the Basilisk Gate. You may have arrived before or are part of a larger group. You decide.
“Order!! Order!! City is in lockdown for your safety! A proclamation shall be issued, should evacuation be mandated. Order!!”
Blaze Astra Andasca wades into the fray, trying not to use her shield too aggressively as she moves through the mob. These people are petrified of the unknown. No need to make them afraid of us as well. The Captain should conduct himself as such. Obviously she is new to the company.
“Fists!! Keep order!! Enforce it, don’t disrupt it!!” In the absence of true leadership. Astra endeavors to step in and fill the void. Perhaps he shall lose his other eye in these brawling antics. “People!! Calm!”
Astrid Andasca is a female Tiefling in her middle twenties, who carries herself with an easy air of authority. She stands 5’ 10”, not counting her short horns which extend upward in a single spiral. Her complexion is a pale purplish hue, mauve perhaps, and her eyes and hair are both brown. She possesses long, backswept pointed ears, the same color as her horns, both of which become a cream color toward the tips.
Heavy footsteps precede the arrival of a sturdy dwarf, just reaching 5 ft in his boots, but from his build, likely outweighing most folks of the taller races. The immediate impression he gives off is of just being incredibly solid. There are some myths about dwarves being crafted out of rock and iron, before life being breathed into them by their creator, and its a story that seems to possibly hold truth in his case. He's outfitted in scale mail, with a shield on his left arm emblazoned with an flaming axe emblem. He carries a long warhammer of his shoulder, the head of which is fist sized on one side, and comes to a blunt point on the back. The dwarf's long red hair is braided back and tucked beneath his armor, and beard is braided along each side, the thick braids swinging free in front beneath a bushy red mustache. His nose is a bit squashed to one side, likely broken and not set quite properly at some point in his past. Those with an eye for judging dwarf ages would put him at the end of his fourth or start of his fifth decade.
"Tharmekhul guide my hand." , he mutters before pushing forward, shouldering folks aside, scale slithering metallically as he works his way to the Captain. "Pardon me, excuse me, just coming through here..."
"Captain Zodge, sir! Durthek Emberfist, reporting!", he calls out when he gets close enough to the Captain.
((If any of the commoners throw punches his way, he'll let them bust their knuckles against his shield and keep pushing forward.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Kulogall is a 6 foot tall Triton who strides forward, his new Flaming Fist vest and uniform on with no blood or muddy spatter on it, yet. “Order, we need order here!” He looks to his fellow Flaming Fists as “really good guys, why wouldn’t officers of the law be good?” He is smiling, curious about the behavior of these Baldur’s Gate folk, and ready to “do some good” here. He is carrying a spear and says in a loud voice “ORDER, WE NEED CALM HERE!” and then booms it out over the crowd’s head with a minor illusion. He pushes people back with a gust if needed, letting others know of his sorcerous power in order to reach the Captain.
Ariborys is trying to keep his head down and avoid the worst of the fray, hiding behind Astrid and her shield, somewhat.
Ariborys is medium height and build with the red skin and black goat’s horns so typical of his race. He has a heavy leather coat loose around his body, and a pack full of belongings as he hasn’t found a permanent place to stay for he and his siblings yet.
“Get ‘em, captain!” He shouts supportively to the captain.
Paladin - warforged - orange
I ll wait for all of you to make a move then make mine.
Richard Asher is human male, with pale complexion and red hair, with grey-blue eye's. His build is on the slimmer, but still athletic side.
Richard stands at the edges of the commotion, adjusting his new Flaming Fist tabard, warn over his leather armour.
Richard looks over the fray with a smile.
"Looks like people are releasing some frustration."
Continuing to speak to himself, Richard pulls out a copper coin and flips it in the air.
"Heads I wade into the fray and tails I try and skirt the edges."
1-10 Tails; 11-20 Heads: 15
The coin comes up tails.
"Hmm, best keep to the edges then."
Richard starts to make his way around the ruckus, trying to get closer to the captain.
As he moves through the people around the perimeter, Richard dodges this way and that to avoid getting stuck or struck. A couple of time, just as someone was about to move into Richard way, they instead stumble out of his way and he darts passed.
Richard uses Telekinetic - Shove if needed to, push people out of the way, without it being obvious he did.
Getting closer to the captain's position, Richard calls out.
"Captain Zodge?! Reporting in as ordered!"
Richard keeps to the edges of the melee, waiting for a response from captain Zodge, but secretly making use of his telekinetic skills to try and save his fellow Flaming Fist from getting hit from any unseen attackers.
Richard uses Telekinetic - Shove and Telekinetic - Mage Hand to maneuver and distract people, to try and reduce the hits coming in on any Flaming Fist members currently in the fight.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Thamior slowly weaves his way through the crowd. Whereas in the woods his green clothing would be good camouflage, here in a forest of people it makes him easy to spot. This is also helped by his hood being down, leaving his blue hair out in the open. He uses this to approach those that look easier to calm. A few words in elvish or halfling given to those that speak them, or a piece of ration given to parents trying to calm their kids. This is how he makes his way towards the captain, avoiding anything that would cause a longer pause.
Coming within hearing distance, he waits a second taking the situation in. Witnessing others reporting in, he proceeds likewise: "Enlistee Boarblade reporting in, Captain Zodge, sir!" His voice as he says this is a lot stronger than one might expect from his average build.
Redric Ironeater trails behind Durthek by about half a block, nervously glancing about while trying to keep pace with the taller, longer limbed dwarf. Of the same race, though much smaller in build, Redric is relatively normal in proportion, though perhaps a tad on the slim side. Dark red and black of beard, bald-headed, and wearing a deep red crimson cap, he tries to keep an eye on the dark alleyways of the city. His clothing is clearly a Flaming Fist cape, already somehow dirtied with the ever-present dust and grime of the city, and partially covered over by means of folding and some grey rags. Seeing Durthek wade into the fray towards the captain, he half-shouts a warning, but is unwilling to draw undue attention to himself. Noting the wedge formed by the efforts of the thickset dwarf and the two tieflings, he briefly considers slipping in behind them. He also notes a tall blue fellow carrying a spear while practicing thaumaturgy on the hapless riot. He nervously steps around him, wary of the target such clear use of magic paints on those who practice it, and spies instead a human fellow in Fist regalia making good progress towards the Captain. He dithers for a moment, sputtering and chewing an a loose bit of beard. He cocks his head downwards as a faint chirp buzzes from within his cloak. He nods, choosing to stay within the protective wedge formed by Durthek and Blaze. He swings around a crossbow, loading a bolt to discourage the first person who might stray too close.
Unaccustomed to the level of unrest displayed in the scene before her, Astra whispers a brief incantation beneath her breath. When next she speaks, those about her will surely hear her words over the ruckus and row!
”People of Baldur’s Gate, Hear Me!! Return to Your Homes, That We May Restore Order!! Cease This Fighting at Once!!”
And indeed, her voice rings out over the crowd, louder by several orders of magnitude. Those near her may not listen, but they surely hear.
The mob moves like a tide and some of you need to use spells or skills to keep from being overrun.
Durthek is like a rock against the current. He moves, unstoppable, toward the captain.
The booming voice of Kulogall, a tall blue soldier dressed in Flaming Fist tabard, shatters for an instant the flow of the mob. The more experienced Fists make their move as the people falter. In less than a minute the mob is back under control.
Captain Zodge smiles as Thamior, Richard and Durthek salute in unison. Redric a few paces behind waits.
"Eager recruit..." the captain voices trails off as he moves away from the crowd clearly expecting you to follow. " Haven't seen those in a while. Good choices I made."
He waits for Ariborys, Kulogall, and Astra to join them before continuing.
“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.”
He takes a deep breath before launching into explanations.
“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.”
"Any questions ?"
I'll put the Elfsong Tavern on the map. You can use the time to go there to get acquainted (or not ). You can also ask questions to the captain but he doesn't look like he is in a mood for more than a few.
Also, I used the wrong color I'll change it next time. Sorry Richard :-;
"Are the followers of the Dead Three acting together, a coordinated effort, or small clusters devoted to each of the three in turn? Sir?"
Durthek frowns, considering as he tries to recall what he knows about Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul.
Religion: 18
((Please let me know if you'd rather ask for rolls first, but I've included a check to help keep the pace up.))
((Though it doesn't seem he's likely to be all that familiar... a stellar first roll!))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Kulogall says to the Captain "Can you describe Tarina for us, how will we recognize her? We don't want to ask for her at the bar or give her away." After asking the question, Kulogall says "You can count on us sir, we will make it happen!" He turns to his companions and says "I thought I heard some Moonshae accents, I'm from Alaron, it is good to have some fellow countrymen to work with in this task."
The captain looks at Kulogall and he has the distinct impression that he doesn't approve being pointed out that he didn't give full details.
" Look for a wild raven hair slip of a girl. She has the look of a pirate," he mutters.
No worries about making rolls on your own it helps me keep the flow of the game running faster.
((Captain giving any response to question about whether it's one cohesive cult or three separate ones? If he seems like he wants us to just leave already, Durthek's ready to roll.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Once Zodge has finished his briefing, Astra speaks up: “Alright, you heard the Captain. We’re going to the tavern! Don’t think there’s any chance of us going in incognito as a group, but perhaps one of you feels up to losing the tabard and making contact discreetly? The rest of us can find a table close by, and carry on like an off-duty patrol.”
Sorry forgot
The captain nods at the question regarding the Three. "I think they might work in concert but I wouldn't put it past any of those groups to try and ber=tray the others to get the upper hand."
He adds before looking back at the gate. " Be careful with those but they need to feel the Fist of justice. Whoever they may be."
Durthek looks around, spotting Redric trailing in his wake, giving a grin to his fellow dwarf.
"Carry on like an off-duty patrol? I think we ought to be able to pull that off, eh Ironeater?", he remarks in his rumbling bass.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Kulogall stands upright and says "I think I could force an alcoholic beverage down my throat to keep up the ruse. It might even be enjoyable." He gives an odd smile. He looks over at Richard - "Perhaps you would be up to the task, to speak with Tarina? What say you? Are you skilled in such subtleties?"
Thamior gives the captain a salute before the group leaves towards the tavern. To Kulogall's earlier musings, he says: "Oh, island dwellers? Sounds interesting. I'm from a small city up north myself. Yartar, if you've heard of it." After Astra suggests a discreet approach, he rises his hand and says: "That fits my skillset, I'll volunteer if anyone doesn't mind."