“The only reason you’re not in confinement, rotting in jail, is because you can do things for me. Murder and involvement in one has some harsh consequences. Think of this service as..reducing the sentence you will get from the trial I’m delaying. Then again, none of you have much of a choice. The Flaming Fist has the power to draft people in an emergency and our Grand Duke’s death is quite the emergency. I could have you executed for refusing to comply with a direct order, forgoing the whole trial business. I would really prefer not going that path, so here,” he gives each of you a copper badge with the symbol of the Flaming Fist, “are the badges that say you’re working under my authority. Are all of you ready?”

Murgen silently takes the badge, attaching it under the symbol of the Wolves. He sits down on a barrel nearby, giving his leg a rest and looks at Zodge, "So what are we doing today?" He is trying to be as civil as he can but if Zodge pays close attention he would see the disdain in Murgen's eyes. 

He is high with power, the people of this city would be better off without him. Perhaps while working for him we'll find some dirt that puts him out of office. "As Dench said before, it was not murder, but self-defense. We want assurance that once we help you, our 'sins' are absolved." says Ignace as he's taking the badge. 

"I'm inclined to agree with Ignace," Tabitha takes the badge and pins it to her dress, scowling at it, "I'll comply with your orders, but I would like some sort of assurance as to where we will stand with the law when this is through."

Dench holds the badge, turning it over in his hands, looking at the front and back. He stares at it for a long time before sighing and putting it in a small pouch on his belt. He folds his arms. "I'm ready," he says, "but for what? What would you like us to do? And, since we have to be alive to do anything for you, you're not going to execute any of us, right?" Dench's jaw tightens. "Promise at least that."

“I promise. I promise not to execute you as long as you follow orders.” Zodge points to the badges you all took. “You lot have been drafted. Welcome to the Flaming Fist. As I said before, I am delaying your trials. The services you do during this emergency will take quite a bit of time off your sentences, if not all of it.” He claps his hands together. “Now, onto business.”

“Some of you may know by now that Baldur’s Gate has had some...trouble... with followers of the Dead Three — you know, the gods Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul. I thought we had wiped them out, but they’re like roaches. They came back. These people have gone completely mad. They are committing murder sprees throughout the city, and the Flaming Fist is spread too thin to deal with them. 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 absolutely anyone who gets in your way, and don’t worry about collateral damage. Your badges will protect you from any ‘crimes’ you commit to rid Baldur’s Gate of these pests.”

“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.”

“I need you all to go to the Elfsong Tavern, just a few blocks down from here. 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.”

You guys are with Zodge by the Basilisk Gate on the northeast end of town. That’s the wall that leads to the Outer City on the top right. The Elfsong Tavern is just about in the center, between the Basilisk Gate and the river.

Ignace pins the badge to the front of his belt, over the belt buckle. "Well, it's a pleasure doing business with you." says to Zodge. Looks toward the others: "Let's go"

Tabitha nods to Zodge and then turns to follow Ignace to The Elfsong Tavern.

Limping after the rest of the group, Murgen asks them, "So, any among you good at talking? What skills do you all have? Might as well get to know each other a bit better if we are to be working together. I'm an archer, used to me a member of the Grey Wolves before the company disbanded. What about you all?"

"Lathander, the god of beginnings, lends me his power," Dench says. "With it I can heal and fight. I sometimes," he says, "need to start over. A bit. Myself." As he walks toward The Elfsong Tavern, Dench can be heard invoking the name of Lathander in a simple prayer for good fortune at the start of a journey. 

He will also, looking almost guilty, pause and, hopefully without drawing too much attention to himself, use his hammer to crack a cobblestone enough to pull it up from the street. He'll drop five small stones into the hole and then replace the cobblestone.

 "Lathander lends me his power," Dench says. "With it I can heal and fight. I need the new beginnings he's the god of occasionally. Sometimes. Maybe." In fact, as he walks, Dench can be heard quietly invoking the name of Lathander in a prayer for good fortune at the start of a journey.

He will also, looking a bit guilty and hopefully without drawing attention to himself, use his hammer to crack a cobblestone and pull it up out of the road. He'll drop five small stones in the hole then replace the cobblestone. As quickly as he can after this, he will follow the others into the tavern.

Dench, make a stealth check. If you’re only using the hammer to crack the cobblestone, make the check with disadvantage.

Dench's stealth check: 3.

"Tabitha? Ignace? How about you?" Dench says.

Dench
The streets are still busy enough. A couple of people notice and give you weird looks as they pass by, but you don’t get into any trouble.

OOC: (choosing speech color)

"First of all, I'd like to take the time and extend my deepest apologies to get you into this matter. I arrived not long ago to the city sent here by my guide Valandras" he reaches up to the angelic figure that hangs on his neck, holds it tightly. "I don't know my exact purpose here, but I sense a demonic invasion might be soon upon us. Our recent assignment seems to indicate the same. Anyway while waiting for a sign I've begun to look into the dealings of Hiller, I've worked for the city guard of Neverwinter before. That's where I've learned to fight. I also now a bit of healing, though not as much as you Dench. Once we arrive I can do the talking, not the first time I had to calm down a disgruntled merchant or interrogate a criminal." He looks over to Tabitha, "Unless you feel like it. What are your specialties?"

Tabitha walks quietly with the rest of the group until Ignace introduces himself, frowning almost imperceptibly when he mentions a demonic presence, "Well, I'm a schoolteacher here in the city, so I certainly have experience diffusing conflicts. Perhaps we shall benefit from splitting the work, Ignace." She nods to him, smiling, "As for my specialties, I have been lucky enough to come into some magical power on my travels. I certainly cannot heal, but I think that you will find me quite handy in a fight."

(OOC: Sorry about the double post above. I'll go with olive.)

Dench opens the door of The Elfsong Tavern wide for the others. He rolls his shoulders back and twists his neck, looking hopeful. He feels like they might be able to escape Zodge's influence eventually. "No need to apologize, Ignace. I was trying to be helpful and things got out of control."

He wonders what the inside of this place will be like. The Elfsong Tavern sounds harmonious. Pleasant, even.

Alright!

So, each of you enter the Elfsong tavern, one by one, with Dench coming in last. As each of you step in, the smell of alcohol wafts over you. You notice a suit of armor and a female half-ogre standing on each side of the door. The place appears to be pretty popular. There are dozens of customers all over the room. It’s..somewhat well-kept. You look around a bit, and you spot some patrons who appear interesting: 

• A figure that looks somewhat like human man is slumped over, his head on a table. There’s a slowly gathering pool of saliva expanding outwards
• A thin halfling girl wearing a cloak with the hood down. She has a long scar going down from above her eyebrow to the edge of her mouth. She’s flipping a gold coin
• A thin human man with very old and dirty clothes. He’s clutching a small book by its spine and he’s scribbling into it. Once in a while, he looks up, glances around the room, raises a brow as if he had an idea, and scribbles more into the book
• A thick and surely heavy half-orc with a strong square jaw. He’s drinking with a few other patrons, and you can hear him let out a loud, bellowing laugh
• A human woman playing a card game with 3 drunk men
• A halfling woman with a very colorful cape

You have time to interact with the people around. What will you all do?

Ignace walks over to the innkeeper "Good day sir. Might I have an ale?" and with a bit lowered voice he asks "Do you by any chance know someone named Tarina?" He places a silver coin on the counter.