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.

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 have begun to filter the flow of refugees allowed through the gates..

You find yourself in front of the North Gate.

Covered in sweat and grime, his chain mail no longer shiny, Beggar continues to speak with the refuges coming through the North Gate trying to calm them, "People, I understand that ye have lost much! But Lathander is here to help you during this time of new beginnings! If any are in need of critical medical attention, please step this way and I will help."

Jagger watches uncomfortably as the masses pour by. The high walls, and the many people make Jagger nervous, having lived in the wild most of his life. Wary eyes scan the crowd for troublemakers, his hands on the hilts of his two short swords strapped a his waist, a longbow slung across his dark green cloak. Growing warm, he removes his hood, revealing unbrushed dark brown hair. He calls over to the Paladin:  "This is getting tiring. We owe these people nothing, let them go back to their own land, not come and crowd our city."

An olive skinned young human woman frowned, watching the refugees getting through the gate. Her dark brown hair was tied back into a bun by a worn yellow ribbon decorated with beads. She wore a leather breastplate over a dark blue and light grey shirt and skirt. Well worn boots covered her navy pants. Her armor and weapons all looked new, and more on the cheaper end. Elvira adjusted her  grey scarf with a gloved hand. Beggar was doing most of the talking, but she chimed in after Jagger spoke, ignoring his comment. "Best to get looked at now if you're injured or sick, before it gets worse. We'll do our best to help, or get you treatment."

Tension is running high and already a few Flaming Fist have had to intervene to separate refugees.

Jagger's word send a shiver through a part of the crowd. And some of the people stare at him with sunken eyes.

À woman surges forward, stopped by the heavy metal covered hand of a Soldier. She screams at Jagger.

"You know nothing.. The city is no more. Our land is gone." she finishes her last words crying. She shakes u'her head in defeat and goes back to her kin.

Jagger nods a thanks to the soldier, then shakes his head in disbelief. "All these people," He mumbles under his breath.

Amea- a short pale woman with a maroon cloak around her, her brown hair curling at her shoulders- laughs a little. "I cant help but find them a little ungrateful. I mean we're doing our best here to help these people, its not like we were prepared for all of them to just appear on our doorstep expecting food and shelter." Amea surveys the refugees looking for those who look like they still may have their pockets lined with riches from their old life

An average man dress in simple clothes pipes up from the crowd a well look after viola jumping to his chin “Come now good people! No need to worry I’m sure the kindly people of Baulder’s Gate are more that happy to have you!  eyeing the individual in the green cloak who spoke up wryly. ” Now come on single file and a bit of merriment to liven the mood”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CFOj5IlwbNA&t=24s

One of the Flaming Fist moves toward you, since you are talking together and clearly trying to help,  he stops before you all and makes a little sign to catch your attention. Some of you may recognize him as Captain Zodge. 

"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."

As he syas this you see a surge in the crowd and the rest of the Flaming Fists need to push back.

“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 stops talking for a minute and adds, " It would be well paid and for the good of all Baldur's Gate. Lives might be at risk." 

Fin

I can't believe I got nicked. This thought ran through his mind over and over. The sound of music snaps him back to reality. Where was it coming from. Fin looks out over the throng of people that are headed to the gate. There was a man playing a violin or something. How much stranger could this day get? First an easy mark, or at least it should've been. Then, he got caught, but instead of being dragged back to his home like usual, some new Sargent thought it'd be funny to dress him as a guard and make him work the gate where all these refugees were flowing in. 

Seeing the guards attention focused on the crowd, he moves his hands in a very subtle motion and whispers a quiet word, casting Prestidigitation he creates a drum beat to go along with the violin further enhancing the music. With the guard nearest him moving towards the apparent musical ensemble, Fin slips away and melds into the crowd, heading to what appears to be a medical tent.

Jagger shoves through the crowd until he reaches the Captain and lifts a hand in salute. "What sort of problem sir? I'd take just about any other job to get out of guarding this gate."

"What can be more pressing than at our door?" Elvira wondered aloud. It took her a moment to realize that she said it, and she quickly added. "We will do our best, sir. No matter the issue. Whether it be fighting gangs or helping refugees."

Amea gives a soft smile "Getting our hands dirty actually doing something? That sounds wonderful." She was getting tired of all the yelling voices and the crowd, too many eyes, not enough room to work if something happened

The captain smile with a strange enthusiasm.

"Let's just say that it's obvious that grading the door and soldiering is not your strongest. I think you d better serve the Flaming Fists by looking for troublemakers and dangerous people."

He takes a deep breath before continuing. 

"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," he ponts to the huge dragon like creature carved above the 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.”

"The Guild doesn't like it when we break their toys and they can make my job harder than it already is."

Right away sir! Anything to get away from here! Jagger salutes and starts walking in the direction of the tavern. Happy to get out of gate guarding.

"Of course we'll be friendly. Better to make friends, after all, and maybe make someone's day better. And it possibly avoids someone trying to put a dagger in our backs..." Elvira rubbed her chest at the thought, her frown returning once more for a few moments.

Beggar doesn't look convinced until the Captain mentions the murders. He, like the others, will step up "Thank you for the opportunity to assist in this Captain." Begger then follows the others to the tavern.

Amea gave a nod and proceeded to head to the tavern tossing a dagger and catching it again along the way

Fin

Having overheard the conversation one thing really hit home. 200 gold pieces! This piqued Fins interest. He was dressed as a guard. They had put him into service, sort of. Fin falls in behind the pale woman, hoping to pass himself off as a true Flaming Fist member and get in on the action.

"Psst. Psst. So, you headed to the Elfsong? The Capt'n told me to head there too." He half whispers as he easily matches her stride.

"Aye, this whole gig is a little too official for my taste, happy to do something rather than stand at a gate though." She looks over at the newcomer that has approached her. "My name is Amea, whats yours?"