"The Harpers now know that the cult is amassing treasure and shipping it north. Where exactly this treasure is going and what the cult plans to do with it are the next two questions that need answering. We would like you to join the cult’s caravan and accompany it on the journey. They could get themselves hired as guards—if not by the cult’s wagon masters, then by other merchants who are traveling in the same direction at the same time. Merchants from different companies commonly join together to form larger trains for protection. Frume has already hired a river barge so that all of you can reach Baldur's Gate in 3 days. The barge leaves tomorrow morning. From there it is up to you to get hired onto the cultist's caravan in Baldur's gate." says Leosin
He then reaches into his tunic and pulls out a soft leather pouch and inside is a magnificent ruby worth 1,200 gp. "If any need a monetary reason then this ruby will be yours if you complete your next task"
"That ruby in exchange for waking up early enough to make the barge in the morning? I don't normally like to start work before midday but you've got a deal!" Zeds agrees, standing and putting out his hand to shake on it.
The ruby is nice and all but enough for them all to risk their necks? In truth Zeds wasn't so sure about that. But if this cult is routinely sacking town and villages and moving the amassed treasure there could be other opportunities to line ones pockets.
"So, do we all get Harpers pins now or something? So they know they can trust us? And what about the Gauntlet?"
Leosin shakes his head "The ruby will be given after you follow the cultist to wherever they are taking the looted treasures. We hope it may lead us to a main base of operation or at least a significant stronghold. This is not just an observation mission as you will have to infiltrate the cultist to wherever they go with the treasure."
Onthar Frume nods "You can join my order or that of Leosin's. The choice is yours."
Leosin takes out enough Harper pins for everyone while Onthar does the same for his Order of the Gauntlet.
"Umm.... well I guess I will join the gauntlet then?" Krackle replies as he reaches out and takes the appropriate pin. "it looks pretty neat and I think it looks more tough than a harp." The kobold says with a smile.
"And rules and guideline and lifetime binding oaths or anything we should be aware of?" Zeds asks, wary of what they may be blindly jumping into here. "Any reason we couldn't be both?"
“I wouldn’t join any of the faction. But I’ll take the gauntlet, just so your men knows we’re the good ones. These dragon cults, they sickens me, these people didn’t know that Tiamat couldn’t care less about them. They sickens me.”
"No joining our respective organizations does not mean you will no longer be a cleric of Lathander. The Harpers are dedicated to furthering equality and justice and to keeping power out of the hands of those who don’t deserve it. The Harpers are loosely organized; agents are allowed wide freedom of action." says Leosin
"The Order of the Gauntlet shares many of the Harpers’ principles, but the two organizations are very different. The Order of the Gauntlet emphasizes faith, vigilance, and constant struggle against threats of evil. Many of its members are clerics and paladins, but the order welcomes anyone who shares its ideals. Discipline is key, and the order is distinctly more structured and hierarchical than the Harpers." says Onthar Frume.
"You cannot join both organizations as though we share similar beliefs, we are quite different. I am also sorry Ironthar as I cannot give you a pin as only members may wear them. Of course, if you wish to not join at this time, we will still ask you to complete our request." says Othar Frume as he hands over a pin to Krackle.
"Blue matches my eyes, toss me a Harper pin," Zeds calls out. Harpers less disciplined, orderly and structured? They definitely seem a better fit to him. Besides, what little he has heard about them moving around, often social so as to get and spread information... It seems to line up with his tendencies anyway. The pin may just guard him against futures misunderstandings...
"May I join the Harpers, while I do like the idea of joining an order of faith.... I think the military like nature of it is not aligned with the values of my faith.*
Sterling takes a harp pin and cast light. The pin glows and Stirling takes that as a sign that Lathander does not disprove of his decision.
"If you wish to rise to a higher position among the harpers then you need to keep on working hard proving yourself. For now those that join are similar to initiates where you are a member of the Harpers" says Leosin.
“Well I hope my companion’s pin will be proof enough when we met your men. As I wouldn’t take any for my time in this world is short and I don’t wish to stay after we destroy the cult.”
Onthar Frume escorts everyone back into the common area and a says "The rest of the day is yours to do whatever you want. Make sure to be there at the river barge tomorrow morning."
let me know if you want to do anything before heading to the river barge.
It is soon the next day, and the party takes the river barge to Baldur's Gate. The barge is used primarily to ship cargo between Elturel and Balder's Gate so having a carriage on board is on no issue though some of the sailors give Krackle Jr. curious looks. 3 days later and the party arrives at Baldur's Gate.
Baldur’s Gate is a bustling center of trade, with goods coming from north and south by wagon along the Trade Way and by ship on the Sea of Swords, and from the east along the River Chionthar and from Cormyr and Sembia. Baldur’s Gate is situated on a prominent bluff next to the river, overlooking an excellent natural harbor. It is divided into three distinct segments: the Upper City where the richest and most influential citizens live and where the city’s marketplace (the Wide) is located; the Lower City, which surrounds the harbor and where most of the city’s merchants live and conduct their business; and the Outer City, which lies outside the walls and where most of the city’s laborers reside in conditions that vary from crowded but clean to squalid.
"The Harpers now know that the cult is amassing treasure and shipping it north. Where exactly this treasure is going and what the cult plans to do with it are the next two questions that need answering. We would like you to join the cult’s caravan and accompany it on the journey. They could get themselves hired as guards—if not by the cult’s wagon masters, then by other merchants who are traveling in the same direction at the same time. Merchants from different companies commonly join together to form larger trains for protection. Frume has already hired a river barge so that all of you can reach Baldur's Gate in 3 days. The barge leaves tomorrow morning. From there it is up to you to get hired onto the cultist's caravan in Baldur's gate." says Leosin
He then reaches into his tunic and pulls out a soft leather pouch and inside is a magnificent ruby worth 1,200 gp. "If any need a monetary reason then this ruby will be yours if you complete your next task"
"That ruby in exchange for waking up early enough to make the barge in the morning? I don't normally like to start work before midday but you've got a deal!" Zeds agrees, standing and putting out his hand to shake on it.
The ruby is nice and all but enough for them all to risk their necks? In truth Zeds wasn't so sure about that. But if this cult is routinely sacking town and villages and moving the amassed treasure there could be other opportunities to line ones pockets.
"So, do we all get Harpers pins now or something? So they know they can trust us? And what about the Gauntlet?"
Leosin shakes his head "The ruby will be given after you follow the cultist to wherever they are taking the looted treasures. We hope it may lead us to a main base of operation or at least a significant stronghold. This is not just an observation mission as you will have to infiltrate the cultist to wherever they go with the treasure."
Onthar Frume nods "You can join my order or that of Leosin's. The choice is yours."
Leosin takes out enough Harper pins for everyone while Onthar does the same for his Order of the Gauntlet.
"What are these orders and is membership required?"
"This is the task laid before you and membership is not required though my fellow agents will be disinclined to offer their help" says Leosin.
"Well my issue is I am a priest of Lathander. Will joining one of your orders interfere with that?"
"Umm.... well I guess I will join the gauntlet then?" Krackle replies as he reaches out and takes the appropriate pin. "it looks pretty neat and I think it looks more tough than a harp." The kobold says with a smile.
"And rules and guideline and lifetime binding oaths or anything we should be aware of?" Zeds asks, wary of what they may be blindly jumping into here. "Any reason we couldn't be both?"
“I wouldn’t join any of the faction. But I’ll take the gauntlet, just so your men knows we’re the good ones. These dragon cults, they sickens me, these people didn’t know that Tiamat couldn’t care less about them. They sickens me.”
"No joining our respective organizations does not mean you will no longer be a cleric of Lathander. The Harpers are dedicated to furthering equality and justice and to keeping power out of the hands of those who don’t deserve it. The Harpers are loosely organized; agents are allowed wide freedom of action." says Leosin
"The Order of the Gauntlet shares many of the Harpers’ principles, but the two organizations are very different. The Order of the Gauntlet emphasizes faith, vigilance, and constant struggle against threats of evil. Many of its members are clerics and paladins, but the order welcomes anyone who shares its ideals. Discipline is key, and the order is distinctly more structured and hierarchical than the Harpers." says Onthar Frume.
"You cannot join both organizations as though we share similar beliefs, we are quite different. I am also sorry Ironthar as I cannot give you a pin as only members may wear them. Of course, if you wish to not join at this time, we will still ask you to complete our request." says Othar Frume as he hands over a pin to Krackle.
"Blue matches my eyes, toss me a Harper pin," Zeds calls out. Harpers less disciplined, orderly and structured? They definitely seem a better fit to him. Besides, what little he has heard about them moving around, often social so as to get and spread information... It seems to line up with his tendencies anyway. The pin may just guard him against futures misunderstandings...
Stirling thinks for a long moment.
"May I join the Harpers, while I do like the idea of joining an order of faith.... I think the military like nature of it is not aligned with the values of my faith.*
Sterling takes a harp pin and cast light. The pin glows and Stirling takes that as a sign that Lathander does not disprove of his decision.
"What do I need to do to join officially?"
"If you wish to rise to a higher position among the harpers then you need to keep on working hard proving yourself. For now those that join are similar to initiates where you are a member of the Harpers" says Leosin.
Stirling smiles "ok!"
“Well I hope my companion’s pin will be proof enough when we met your men. As I wouldn’t take any for my time in this world is short and I don’t wish to stay after we destroy the cult.”
Onthar Frume escorts everyone back into the common area and a says "The rest of the day is yours to do whatever you want. Make sure to be there at the river barge tomorrow morning."
let me know if you want to do anything before heading to the river barge.
((Zeds has nothing he needs doing so he would look to have fun - A tavern for drinking, gambling, random debauchery...))
Stirling would see if there is any awaken in town. If not he will watch Zed at his craft
It is soon the next day, and the party takes the river barge to Baldur's Gate. The barge is used primarily to ship cargo between Elturel and Balder's Gate so having a carriage on board is on no issue though some of the sailors give Krackle Jr. curious looks. 3 days later and the party arrives at Baldur's Gate.
Baldur’s Gate is a bustling center of trade, with goods coming from north and south by wagon along the Trade Way and by ship on the Sea of Swords, and from the east along the River Chionthar and from Cormyr and Sembia. Baldur’s Gate is situated on a prominent bluff next to the river, overlooking an excellent natural harbor. It is divided into three distinct segments: the Upper City where the richest and most influential citizens live and where the city’s marketplace (the Wide) is located; the Lower City, which surrounds the harbor and where most of the city’s merchants live and conduct their business; and the Outer City, which lies outside the walls and where most of the city’s laborers reside in conditions that vary from crowded but clean to squalid.