Hello! It looks like we'll have a good ole descent into hell. Some info for ya'll.
Your character starts at lvl 1, I currently don't have any race restrictions.
I need each of you to send me a list of 3 things your character fears as well as your characters flaw/s.
Additionally together you need to discuss and decide on on a Dark Secret. Either a Conspiracy, Murder, Theft, or Fail Coup. Once you've decided on the type of Dark Secret you'll need to flesh it out, details about it, each of your roles, and the consequences.
The characters are all that’s left of a group that strove to change Baldur’s Gate and failed. Now the city’s leaders or other powerful figures seek to stamp out the last motes of their movement. Perhaps they were rebels, or members of a union or some clandestine organization. Regardless, their rivals didn’t get where they are by being oblivious or merciful.
There’s blood on the characters’ hands. They all had a part to play in a murder — justified or not. Shared guilt, coercion, and fear keep the secret between them.
The characters broke the law by stealing something valuable. The question is, did the characters perpetrate the theft because they needed or wanted something, or because they didn’t want someone else to have it?
The characters schemed with others to seize power and failed, revealing their ambition and treachery. The dark deed can be something as small as attempting to gain control of a patriar house, to something on a much grander scale, such as trying to unseat a duke, seize control of the Guild, or topple the Flaming Fist.
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.
"You watch as Captain Zodge quickly dispatches the mob by taking out the instigators, as he moves to approach you, you notice other guards robbing several commoners of their money pouches who had been beaten unconscious. This appears to be just another day in Baldurs gate"
"You climb up a nearby building and from the roof you get a better view of the city, you see distance illumination from around the lower city and along the wall"
Roll a perception check if you would like to spend more time looking
"From your view atop the building you notice several fires burning throughout the lower city and the smoke rising from them being illuminated by the full moon, screams cry out through the darkness from different directions"
"This is going to be a long night, you think to yourself.
“Zodge approaches and motions for you to relax. 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.”
“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.”
From my perch I spot the Leonin and Loxodon speaking with Zodge. Despite the revulsion I feel at the feline-esqe form of the Leonin, instinct tells me I need to follow them. I set off on their trail.
Nashwa clutched her pouch (as if there was anything of value in it) and shuffled towards Zodge, awkwardly hovering behind the others and barely hearing the details over the other noise. She raised her trunk in greeting and started to introduce herself, but quickly decided against it and followed as the others made their way towards the Elfsong Tavern.
Informational post to help get a feel for the city.
TAVERNS IN BALDUR’S GATE
No wise person walks the streets of Baldur’s Gate or enters one of its taverns without a weapon or an armed escort. Anyone who has lived in the city for more than a tenday knows this from experience. Taverns might appear safe at a glance, but they are among the most dangerous places in Baldur’s Gate — full of alcohol, tempting coin, and unscrupulous people. Volothamp Geddarm, a notorious raconteur known for his tavern reviews, encapsulates his Baldur’s Gate experience as “hard on the stomach, especially when someone sticks a knife in there.” Customers are expected to look after themselves when fights break out, and one shouldn’t expect any help or sympathy from the Flaming Fist. Tavern murders are common, and usually end with the poor victim being dragged away and either left in an alley (to be picked clean by urchins, then eaten by rats) or tossed in the harbor.
"You approach the Elfsong Tavern, a 2 story tavern with an elegant design, though it may look dilapidated, A dull light shines from inside the building, it appears they are open."
I stalk them to the tavern, and watch them go in, but don't enter myself.
Curious. I think to myself. What brings them to a seedy place like this.
I take up a position across the street, watching the main entrance. Squatting down, I rub dirt on my pale, pocked skin and try to make myself resemble one of the many destitute citizens of the lower city.
I proceed to beg.
"A coin for the poor. Copper piece for the starving..." My voice rasps out. My attention never fully leaving the entrance of the tavern.
Thus I wait, to see what happens next.
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Hello! It looks like we'll have a good ole descent into hell. Some info for ya'll.
Your character starts at lvl 1, I currently don't have any race restrictions.
I need each of you to send me a list of 3 things your character fears as well as your characters flaw/s.
Additionally together you need to discuss and decide on on a Dark Secret. Either a Conspiracy, Murder, Theft, or Fail Coup. Once you've decided on the type of Dark Secret you'll need to flesh it out, details about it, each of your roles, and the consequences.
The characters are all that’s left of a group that strove to change Baldur’s Gate and failed. Now the city’s leaders or other powerful figures seek to stamp out the last motes of their movement. Perhaps they were rebels, or members of a union or some clandestine organization. Regardless, their rivals didn’t get where they are by being oblivious or merciful.
There’s blood on the characters’ hands. They all had a part to play in a murder — justified or not. Shared guilt, coercion, and fear keep the secret between them.
The characters broke the law by stealing something valuable. The question is, did the characters perpetrate the theft because they needed or wanted something, or because they didn’t want someone else to have it?
The characters schemed with others to seize power and failed, revealing their ambition and treachery. The dark deed can be something as small as attempting to gain control of a patriar house, to something on a much grander scale, such as trying to unseat a duke, seize control of the Guild, or topple the Flaming Fist.
Setting the mood:
"You watch as Captain Zodge quickly dispatches the mob by taking out the instigators, as he moves to approach you, you notice other guards robbing several commoners of their money pouches who had been beaten unconscious. This appears to be just another day in Baldurs gate"
What do you do?
I seek to extricate myself from the press of the crowd, and find an elevated point with which to better survey the area.
Edwin - Make an Athletics check to attempt to climb a building
16
For Edwin:
"A voice in your head whispers, Ill allow it"
"You climb up a nearby building and from the roof you get a better view of the city, you see distance illumination from around the lower city and along the wall"
Roll a perception check if you would like to spend more time looking
16+5 = 21 perception check.
I wait for Zodge to approach. I stand at attention and introduce myself:
"I have been sent in search of Captain Zodge. I have been recruited to help defend the city."
For Edwin:
"From your view atop the building you notice several fires burning throughout the lower city and the smoke rising from them being illuminated by the full moon, screams cry out through the darkness from different directions"
"This is going to be a long night, you think to yourself.
“Zodge approaches and motions for you to relax. 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.”
“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.”
I had followed vigilans and heard the directions as well and respond, yes sir, and head toward the elfsong tavern to find Tarina
From my perch I spot the Leonin and Loxodon speaking with Zodge. Despite the revulsion I feel at the feline-esqe form of the Leonin, instinct tells me I need to follow them. I set off on their trail.
At a distance of course.
Nashwa clutched her pouch (as if there was anything of value in it) and shuffled towards Zodge, awkwardly hovering behind the others and barely hearing the details over the other noise. She raised her trunk in greeting and started to introduce herself, but quickly decided against it and followed as the others made their way towards the Elfsong Tavern.
Informational post to help get a feel for the city.
TAVERNS IN BALDUR’S GATE
No wise person walks the streets of Baldur’s Gate or enters one of its taverns without a weapon or an armed escort. Anyone who has lived in the city for more than a tenday knows this from experience. Taverns might appear safe at a glance, but they are among the most dangerous places in Baldur’s Gate — full of alcohol, tempting coin, and unscrupulous people. Volothamp Geddarm, a notorious raconteur known for his tavern reviews, encapsulates his Baldur’s Gate experience as “hard on the stomach, especially when someone sticks a knife in there.” Customers are expected to look after themselves when fights break out, and one shouldn’t expect any help or sympathy from the Flaming Fist. Tavern murders are common, and usually end with the poor victim being dragged away and either left in an alley (to be picked clean by urchins, then eaten by rats) or tossed in the harbor.
"You approach the Elfsong Tavern, a 2 story tavern with an elegant design, though it may look dilapidated, A dull light shines from inside the building, it appears they are open."
I carefully enter, look for the barkeep and ask after Tarina.
"The bartender looks at you unblinking and continues cleaning a mug before looking away disinterested"
I stalk them to the tavern, and watch them go in, but don't enter myself.
Curious. I think to myself. What brings them to a seedy place like this.
I take up a position across the street, watching the main entrance. Squatting down, I rub dirt on my pale, pocked skin and try to make myself resemble one of the many destitute citizens of the lower city.
I proceed to beg.
"A coin for the poor. Copper piece for the starving..." My voice rasps out. My attention never fully leaving the entrance of the tavern.
Thus I wait, to see what happens next.