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 Baidu r'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 the 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 Fistto 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 are grouped together and have been looking for the Captain for a while. Depending on how long you have been staying in Baldur's Gate feel free to add some things to the scene.
Alkaios, a tall young man with barely a milimeter worth of blonde hair and icy blue eyes, arrived in Baldur's Gate only a few days ago. He had been drafted into the Flaming Fist in Beregost and was transferred shortly thereafter. It was the first time he visited such a sprawling city. Being a ranger who had lived in the woods and villages around Nashkel for his entire life, he found it rather challenging to adept to the busy and often brutal dealings of such a crowded city. Now with a refugee crisis at hand and a spreading panic throughout the city's inhabitants that the doom was coming for Baldur's Gate, it became even worse. Under orders of the Flaming Fist no one was to enter or leave the city, an order which naturally provoced its fair share of protest and violence worsening by the hour. Earlier this day Alkaios was assigned to a new group of Flaming Fist soldiers tasked to find Captain Zodge at the Basilisk Gate. There the situation seemed rather agitated and it proved difficult to find the man they were looking for. "How hard can it be to find a tall guy with an eye patch?", he asked his new companions frustrated. He was used to find the things he tracked quite quickly.
"I've seen at least three people with eye patches since we started." Eleonora says, almost too quiet. It's not so much a response to the question as it is a quiet observation.
The whole situation makes her uneasy, twists her stomach. A part of her can't help but think it might be a good thing, meaning she's going in the right direction, whatever that means anymore. It hadn't been a whole tenday since she'd arrived on a ship, much like when she'd woken up. Baldur's Gate had originally intended to be a passing through, a stop on her way to Elturel of all places. However getting to the city before it disappeared wouldn't have been a simple matter she'd learned, and especially now. Initially she hadn't been planning on joining the mercenary group, but fate or something seemed to have other plans for her, and she needs the coin. Besides, it's quickly become clear that these people could use someone to look after them, and sometimes, old habits die hard. It's a bitter thought, that makes her laugh inwardly.
She keeps her dark hood up, and scans the crowd, frowning as the fighting begins to break out.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
The young dragon born named Qelroth has been riding with the flaming fist for a few weeks now as a volunteer to bring order and to protect the city. He found a patrol of the flaming fist that had suffered a near defeat feom a band of goblin ambushes on the road. He offered his aid and they offered a direction where he could put his skills to use. After reaching Baldurs gate, he was assigned to a group of adventurers "recruited" within the city. They were sent to loom for Cpt. Dodge and finally found him throwing a pinch or two at an unruly group of miscreants that dont want to follow the emergency orders to stay within the gates. Qelroth draws his morning star and shield in case things get out of hand. He has found the nasty looking spiked ball to be a good deterrent for misbehaving roughians. The law must be obeyed and the people need to be reminded once in a while.
As we move to join up with the Captain to introduce ourselves, it was inevitable that we may bump into person or three. The polite "excuse me, pardon me..." didnt seem to get anyone to move and as Qelroth gently, yet firmly bumps a few out of the way, they turn with curses and threats. At least until the see the dragonborn's size, spiked iron ball and a look says no nonsense will be tolerated, the protesting people start to reluctantly open up a path in front of them. Even mobs can sometimes allow logic and reason to come forth. Qelroth, is pleased. This place is in serious need of help and there is lots of work to be done. Just the sort of task for a righteous warrior and paragon of virtue such as himself. Maybe his example can inspire a change of heart among the people and they can choose to abandon the wickedness that has led them to this state of disarray and disaster
"Well, that's useful.", Alkaios quipped and fell in right behind the Dragonborn as his angry glare split the crowd. A crowd that became visibly more agitated by the minute. "I have a bad feeling about this! The whole situation is about to go south.", the ranger muttered as the shouts and shoves of the crowd started to border a full on riot. They needed to reach the Captain as soon as possible, if they didn't want to fight their way through the masses.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gerrard:
Suddenly, a dashing figure in a flaming fist uniform jumps onto an overturned cart and addresses the raucous crowd in a loud voice which conveys the expectation of immediate aquiesence, “Citizens of Baldur’s Gate! Cease your aggression against the soldiers here for your protection, lest we be compelled to force your obedience!”
Intimidation: *9
The figure is a striking man of dark hair and eyes, known to you as Gerrad, a recent recruit who has at times been both garrulous and taciturn. He reinforces his point with raised fists, the symbol of flame displayed in red, gold, and orange studs on each gloved hand—ornamental, but quite functional in, say, a street brawl.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Standing on a crate, just tall enough to see over the crowd, a feminine figure is wrapped in a ornate cloak that almost covers the top of her knee-high boots. Her name is Kutosha, and she has been absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair as she watches the spectacle unfold.
She wonders why they were trying to making them stay at all. If they wanted out, they should be free to do so. This city could barely sustain its current population, let alone the wave of Elturelians streaming this way. Better to let them go and fend for themselves elsewhere. Better yet was to act like nothing is amiss, so if something was, it would stand out more.
Her family must be furious at the prospect of their above ground supply chains being cut off. She was sure they'd find a way around it, though. Even a small inconvenience to them made her smile a little.
Kutosha toys with making a scene to get the Captain's attention, but instead watches him take out a father desperate to get his family to safety.
"Caging us all together will solve nothing," she said out loud to no one in particular. Going further, "Those that want out will still get out and vice versa. This only serves to keep the populace frightened and uncooperative. I see no point in harming those that are simply afraid."
Finding her crew members in the crowd to assess for their reactions, Kutosha sees the strict dragon born already has a weapon drawn and the outlander using him as a shield. The one named Eleonora had made an accurate, yet amusing, comment just a bit ago, but she was now lost in the folds of her own cloak.
Standing on her tippy toes, she couldn't see the others at the moment. Sometimes she wished she was tall like her mother.
Adding as an afterthought, "Shall we wait for him at that gatehouse (pointing to the large opening at the gate's base, where soldiers were coming and going from) or are we wading into the riot?"
"I think we're just wading into the riot."Eleonora calls to Kutosha following the others, and reaching for her halberd. She's not sure if she agrees with what the Flaming Fist is trying to accomplish, but it doesn't really matter in the long run. "I wouldn't stoke the flames, were I you."
"I think this captain is in the thick of it, as it were."
She stops beneath the cart Gerrard hopped on, finding he had the right idea for this situation, and ready to defend him and the others if necessary.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Seeing Gerrard adress the raucous crowd atop the overturned cart, Alkaios had to acknowledge without envy the presence he was radiating. He wasn't sure that it would do anything though, except to paint a big fat target on their backs. The crowd seemed almost too far gone at this point; pushing, shoving and with an increasing frequency hitting the other soldiers of the Flaming Fists. Alkaios found himself a place beside Eleonora, while also drawing his swords just in case. "Well, at least Captain Zodge probably now knows where to find us.", Alkaios said whilst nodding at Gerrard towering above the crowd.
Qelroth continues toward the Captain while Gerrard and the others gather the peoples attention. It would be a good idea to extract the Captain from the crowd before it erupts. He intends to convince the Cpt to gather with the others at the overturned wagon., and possibly try an avoid splitting heads. The people need to be convinced the gates are shut for their protection and not their imprisonment. Until the source of Elturels destruction is discovered, it is best to keep the gates closed.
He Hope's that his attendants are staying out of trouble. They are taking care of the horses, repairing and taking care of the travel gear. The squire should be practicing his maneuvers, but is likely screwing off. That boy lacks some discipline, but that is why his father sent him with Qelroth.
The crowd quickly disperse when you reach the Captain. Maybe it's the strong words of Gerrard or the imposing sight of the Dragonborn leading the way. It might also be the very aggressive wat the Flaming Fist are dealing with justice. A few men are struggling to get up and need help leaving the scene.
The one-eyed captain gets his bearing before letting his soldiers bring order to the streets. He turns toward you.
"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."
Surprisingly for Alkaios, the mob suddenly dispersed. The presence of more and more Flaming Fist soldiers, in combination with their increasing brutality towards the crowd and Gerrard's little speech might have just done the trick. Even though he didn't usually condone such violence from side of law enforcement, he was gald that the situation was kept under control, before this little scuffle escalated into a full-blown riot. The Ranger, still observant of his surroundings, again followed Quelroth and approached Captain Zodge. Skipping any kind of formal introduction, Alkaios directly cut to the matter at hand, "And what exactly is this other problem that needs to be handled?"
" we are glad to be of service and anything we can do to aid in the defense of these people will be done"
In his mind, Qelroth makes a note of what Captain Zodge said of the Hell riders. They are legendary and filled will righteous Paladins and heros. They waded into the hells and back where they got their name. Will have to see about talking to one or two if the opportunity presents itself. It doesn't seem like justice to be arresting them, but considering the two cities were at war previously, it probably is a wise thing to do. For now.
Gerrard joins the others speaking to the Captain once he is satisfied that the mob is dispersing. With Alkaios speaking up quickly and directly, there is no need for Gerrard to interrupt, so instead he nods at the others and awaits the Zodge's response.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Eleonora frowns at this bit of news, confirming some of the rumors she's heard since the city' disappearance. It does seem all rather convoluted, and suspicious, likely from both ends of it. If the Hellriders think Baldur's Gate is responsible for Elturel's disappearance, then it would be safe to assume that Baldur's Gate might think Elturel responsible for their Grand Duke's disappearance.
She keeps an eye out on the dispersing crowds as they wait for whatever job Zodge might have for them. From what she's seen of these folks, she wouldn't put it past them to try something underhanded
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
The Captain gives you al a shrewd look. You can almost visualize the machines working in his mind.
"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 all the gods, be nice. Tarina has dangerous friends."
"I will meet you all at the tavern. I have to check on my attendants to ensure they have carried out their tasks and the warn them to be wary of these death cultists. Stopping the agents of murder Gods is an important task indeed. We can have Gerrard do the introductions to Miss Tarina unless another of you would like the honor. Sharpmteeth and scaly skin can sometimes inhibit diplomacy. "
There's a part of Eleonora that relishes in the task. Track down a cult of evil god worshippers and wipe them out. By any means necessary. It almost feels familiar, nostalgic. This is a job worthy of a self-righteous paladin. And her eyes cut to Qelroth as he speaks. It's so easy when everything is black and white. She misses it, sometimes.
The 200GP is enough to entice her now. And maybe the idea of cutting down this cult, but she tries not to focus too much on that. "You can be assured these wretches will be taken care of." She assures Zodge.
"Try not to be too long." She says to Qelroth as they depart from the captain. "If this spy has such dangerous friends, we'll want to make sure we're well prepared to deal with her as well as the cult."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/[url=https:/www.noelshack.com/2019-42-6-1571474614-giphy.gif][img]https:/image.noelshack.com/minis/2019/42/6/1571474614-giphy.png[/img][/url]" alt="">
Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
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 Baidu r'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 the 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 are grouped together and have been looking for the Captain for a while. Depending on how long you have been staying in Baldur's Gate feel free to add some things to the scene.
Let's Roll
Alkaios, a tall young man with barely a milimeter worth of blonde hair and icy blue eyes, arrived in Baldur's Gate only a few days ago. He had been drafted into the Flaming Fist in Beregost and was transferred shortly thereafter. It was the first time he visited such a sprawling city. Being a ranger who had lived in the woods and villages around Nashkel for his entire life, he found it rather challenging to adept to the busy and often brutal dealings of such a crowded city. Now with a refugee crisis at hand and a spreading panic throughout the city's inhabitants that the doom was coming for Baldur's Gate, it became even worse. Under orders of the Flaming Fist no one was to enter or leave the city, an order which naturally provoced its fair share of protest and violence worsening by the hour. Earlier this day Alkaios was assigned to a new group of Flaming Fist soldiers tasked to find Captain Zodge at the Basilisk Gate. There the situation seemed rather agitated and it proved difficult to find the man they were looking for. "How hard can it be to find a tall guy with an eye patch?", he asked his new companions frustrated. He was used to find the things he tracked quite quickly.
"I've seen at least three people with eye patches since we started." Eleonora says, almost too quiet. It's not so much a response to the question as it is a quiet observation.
The whole situation makes her uneasy, twists her stomach. A part of her can't help but think it might be a good thing, meaning she's going in the right direction, whatever that means anymore. It hadn't been a whole tenday since she'd arrived on a ship, much like when she'd woken up. Baldur's Gate had originally intended to be a passing through, a stop on her way to Elturel of all places. However getting to the city before it disappeared wouldn't have been a simple matter she'd learned, and especially now. Initially she hadn't been planning on joining the mercenary group, but fate or something seemed to have other plans for her, and she needs the coin. Besides, it's quickly become clear that these people could use someone to look after them, and sometimes, old habits die hard. It's a bitter thought, that makes her laugh inwardly.
She keeps her dark hood up, and scans the crowd, frowning as the fighting begins to break out.
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
The young dragon born named Qelroth has been riding with the flaming fist for a few weeks now as a volunteer to bring order and to protect the city. He found a patrol of the flaming fist that had suffered a near defeat feom a band of goblin ambushes on the road. He offered his aid and they offered a direction where he could put his skills to use. After reaching Baldurs gate, he was assigned to a group of adventurers "recruited" within the city. They were sent to loom for Cpt. Dodge and finally found him throwing a pinch or two at an unruly group of miscreants that dont want to follow the emergency orders to stay within the gates. Qelroth draws his morning star and shield in case things get out of hand. He has found the nasty looking spiked ball to be a good deterrent for misbehaving roughians. The law must be obeyed and the people need to be reminded once in a while.
As we move to join up with the Captain to introduce ourselves, it was inevitable that we may bump into person or three. The polite "excuse me, pardon me..." didnt seem to get anyone to move and as Qelroth gently, yet firmly bumps a few out of the way, they turn with curses and threats. At least until the see the dragonborn's size, spiked iron ball and a look says no nonsense will be tolerated, the protesting people start to reluctantly open up a path in front of them. Even mobs can sometimes allow logic and reason to come forth. Qelroth, is pleased. This place is in serious need of help and there is lots of work to be done. Just the sort of task for a righteous warrior and paragon of virtue such as himself. Maybe his example can inspire a change of heart among the people and they can choose to abandon the wickedness that has led them to this state of disarray and disaster
"Well, that's useful.", Alkaios quipped and fell in right behind the Dragonborn as his angry glare split the crowd. A crowd that became visibly more agitated by the minute. "I have a bad feeling about this! The whole situation is about to go south.", the ranger muttered as the shouts and shoves of the crowd started to border a full on riot. They needed to reach the Captain as soon as possible, if they didn't want to fight their way through the masses.
Gerrard:
Suddenly, a dashing figure in a flaming fist uniform jumps onto an overturned cart and addresses the raucous crowd in a loud voice which conveys the expectation of immediate aquiesence, “Citizens of Baldur’s Gate! Cease your aggression against the soldiers here for your protection, lest we be compelled to force your obedience!”
Intimidation: *9
The figure is a striking man of dark hair and eyes, known to you as Gerrad, a recent recruit who has at times been both garrulous and taciturn. He reinforces his point with raised fists, the symbol of flame displayed in red, gold, and orange studs on each gloved hand—ornamental, but quite functional in, say, a street brawl.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Standing on a crate, just tall enough to see over the crowd, a feminine figure is wrapped in a ornate cloak that almost covers the top of her knee-high boots. Her name is Kutosha, and she has been absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair as she watches the spectacle unfold.
She wonders why they were trying to making them stay at all. If they wanted out, they should be free to do so. This city could barely sustain its current population, let alone the wave of Elturelians streaming this way. Better to let them go and fend for themselves elsewhere. Better yet was to act like nothing is amiss, so if something was, it would stand out more.
Her family must be furious at the prospect of their above ground supply chains being cut off. She was sure they'd find a way around it, though. Even a small inconvenience to them made her smile a little.
Kutosha toys with making a scene to get the Captain's attention, but instead watches him take out a father desperate to get his family to safety.
"Caging us all together will solve nothing," she said out loud to no one in particular. Going further, "Those that want out will still get out and vice versa. This only serves to keep the populace frightened and uncooperative. I see no point in harming those that are simply afraid."
Finding her crew members in the crowd to assess for their reactions, Kutosha sees the strict dragon born already has a weapon drawn and the outlander using him as a shield. The one named Eleonora had made an accurate, yet amusing, comment just a bit ago, but she was now lost in the folds of her own cloak.
Standing on her tippy toes, she couldn't see the others at the moment. Sometimes she wished she was tall like her mother.
Adding as an afterthought, "Shall we wait for him at that gatehouse (pointing to the large opening at the gate's base, where soldiers were coming and going from) or are we wading into the riot?"
Tamlynn [Pic] | Half-Elf | Ranger, Horizon Walker - Lvl 6 | Talaveroth (sub-campaign 3)
Hadar Ilkin [Pic] | Half-Orc | Ranger, Gloom Stalker - Lvl 4 | Bane of Kerakys
Mistress of Game | Death Inspectors
Mistress of Game | Into the Werewoods
"I think we're just wading into the riot." Eleonora calls to Kutosha following the others, and reaching for her halberd. She's not sure if she agrees with what the Flaming Fist is trying to accomplish, but it doesn't really matter in the long run. "I wouldn't stoke the flames, were I you."
"I think this captain is in the thick of it, as it were."
She stops beneath the cart Gerrard hopped on, finding he had the right idea for this situation, and ready to defend him and the others if necessary.
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Seeing Gerrard adress the raucous crowd atop the overturned cart, Alkaios had to acknowledge without envy the presence he was radiating. He wasn't sure that it would do anything though, except to paint a big fat target on their backs. The crowd seemed almost too far gone at this point; pushing, shoving and with an increasing frequency hitting the other soldiers of the Flaming Fists. Alkaios found himself a place beside Eleonora, while also drawing his swords just in case. "Well, at least Captain Zodge probably now knows where to find us.", Alkaios said whilst nodding at Gerrard towering above the crowd.
Qelroth continues toward the Captain while Gerrard and the others gather the peoples attention. It would be a good idea to extract the Captain from the crowd before it erupts. He intends to convince the Cpt to gather with the others at the overturned wagon., and possibly try an avoid splitting heads. The people need to be convinced the gates are shut for their protection and not their imprisonment. Until the source of Elturels destruction is discovered, it is best to keep the gates closed.
He Hope's that his attendants are staying out of trouble. They are taking care of the horses, repairing and taking care of the travel gear. The squire should be practicing his maneuvers, but is likely screwing off. That boy lacks some discipline, but that is why his father sent him with Qelroth.
The crowd quickly disperse when you reach the Captain. Maybe it's the strong words of Gerrard or the imposing sight of the Dragonborn leading the way. It might also be the very aggressive wat the Flaming Fist are dealing with justice. A few men are struggling to get up and need help leaving the scene.
The one-eyed captain gets his bearing before letting his soldiers bring order to the streets. He turns toward you.
"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."
Surprisingly for Alkaios, the mob suddenly dispersed. The presence of more and more Flaming Fist soldiers, in combination with their increasing brutality towards the crowd and Gerrard's little speech might have just done the trick. Even though he didn't usually condone such violence from side of law enforcement, he was gald that the situation was kept under control, before this little scuffle escalated into a full-blown riot. The Ranger, still observant of his surroundings, again followed Quelroth and approached Captain Zodge. Skipping any kind of formal introduction, Alkaios directly cut to the matter at hand, "And what exactly is this other problem that needs to be handled?"
" we are glad to be of service and anything we can do to aid in the defense of these people will be done"
In his mind, Qelroth makes a note of what Captain Zodge said of the Hell riders. They are legendary and filled will righteous Paladins and heros. They waded into the hells and back where they got their name. Will have to see about talking to one or two if the opportunity presents itself. It doesn't seem like justice to be arresting them, but considering the two cities were at war previously, it probably is a wise thing to do. For now.
Gerrard:
Gerrard joins the others speaking to the Captain once he is satisfied that the mob is dispersing. With Alkaios speaking up quickly and directly, there is no need for Gerrard to interrupt, so instead he nods at the others and awaits the Zodge's response.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Eleonora frowns at this bit of news, confirming some of the rumors she's heard since the city' disappearance. It does seem all rather convoluted, and suspicious, likely from both ends of it. If the Hellriders think Baldur's Gate is responsible for Elturel's disappearance, then it would be safe to assume that Baldur's Gate might think Elturel responsible for their Grand Duke's disappearance.
She keeps an eye out on the dispersing crowds as they wait for whatever job Zodge might have for them. From what she's seen of these folks, she wouldn't put it past them to try something underhanded
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
The Captain gives you al a shrewd look. You can almost visualize the machines working in his mind.
"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 all the gods, be nice. Tarina has dangerous friends."
For all
Roll all your rolls in Spoilers please.
"I will meet you all at the tavern. I have to check on my attendants to ensure they have carried out their tasks and the warn them to be wary of these death cultists. Stopping the agents of murder Gods is an important task indeed. We can have Gerrard do the introductions to Miss Tarina unless another of you would like the honor. Sharpmteeth and scaly skin can sometimes inhibit diplomacy. "
There's a part of Eleonora that relishes in the task. Track down a cult of evil god worshippers and wipe them out. By any means necessary. It almost feels familiar, nostalgic. This is a job worthy of a self-righteous paladin. And her eyes cut to Qelroth as he speaks. It's so easy when everything is black and white. She misses it, sometimes.
The 200GP is enough to entice her now. And maybe the idea of cutting down this cult, but she tries not to focus too much on that. "You can be assured these wretches will be taken care of." She assures Zodge.
"Try not to be too long." She says to Qelroth as they depart from the captain. "If this spy has such dangerous friends, we'll want to make sure we're well prepared to deal with her as well as the cult."
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
" I will make great haste Lady Eleonara"