Session 15 - Chapter 4 - Getting Hired & Consequences

 Hello & Welcome!

As the Heroes stepped out onto the crowded streets around the Splurging Sturgeon, the throng of people (hawkers, street sellers, merchants, porters, members of the Flaming Fist) were busying themselves about their daily business, oblivious to the machinations of dark unseen powers that threaten their very existence. The party made their way West, then South through The Steeps, a district in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate, located between the Old Wall and eastern side of Gray Harbor towards the rendezvous with their friend and companion Pipp. They saw the white washed walls, tiled roofs and and rising spires on the other side of the wall of buildings such as The High House of Wonders and the Ducal High Hall in the wealthy Temple District. 

Chard, Dafnae, and Torsion walked past The Gond Gate; one of the city's "Patriar Gates", four well-controlled entrances that connect the Lower City and Upper City regions and then turned into Ulvur's Lane, a small street found in the Bloomridge district of Baldur's Gate that ran along the Old Wall's southern side until you come at last to the House of The Lute, Baldur’s Gate Bardic College Near to Manor Gate.

Pipp was waiting for them outside and eager to be reunited with her friends and tell them about how wonderful her evening was. They exchanged stories about their evenings, Chard being quiet about what he encountered in his dreams and the Pact he had had. They continued West towards the eponymous Baldur’s Gate, inset within the city's old wall. Heading North through the gate from The Steeps in the Lower City to towards large bustling market of The Wide. 

The task for the day was to try to seek employment and get attached to the the Caravan to track the movements of the Dragon Cultists. As they continued the journey, there was large commotion behind them as a large retinue of 20 heavily armed guards, carrying a palanquin. 

The troops pushed passed the crowds, making no apologies for any heads that were knocked or people they caused to stumble as they made their way. The crowds hastily parted to make way before being trampled. From what the four could see, the guards were not wearing the livery of either the Flaming Fist, The Watch or one of the Patriar Houses. The movement caused the drapery of palanquin to shift to the side and Pipp was just able to make out catch a brief glimpse of a black figure sitting inside, humanoid shape, but with Dragon features.  

Pipp didn't recognise the figure and hastily whispered to Dafnae in a hushed tone "Psst - did you see what was in there? It looked like a Black Half-Dragon!"

Dafnae, startled, exclaimed no and tried to spy the contents of the palanquin as it arried on toward the Black Gate but it was to no avail. All that she could see and recognise was one of the guards who was the same guard that had given them the job to muck out the animal pends when they infiltrated the Bandit Camp. Oh that seemed like an age ago - so much had happened since then. But their task was far from over. And the words written on those letters from Talis flashed into her mind again. What was her friend up to?

She quickly told Chard and Torsion what Pipp told her and what she had seen. "It seems the Cultists are here!" she said whispered. "Now is the time to make our move as they seem to be preparing to move their goods as well. And if what Pipp saw is correct, it seems like that Black Half-Dragon we met in the Bandit Camp is here!".

Chard and Torsion peered towards the palanquin but it was foo far down the road to make anything out. So the four of them carried on towards the Black Dragon Gate at pace, but sticking to the crowds. 

Now it was even more imperative to get hired on. Would Rilsa make good on her promise? Would they be able to find their own way? They had to get something as the Caravan would likely be leaving soon.

Once through the Black Dragon Gate, they lost site of the troops. There would be time to find them later. 

First they tried their luck in the Drowned Rat. Here they saw a few groups of individuals. 

One was a large group of dock workers who were having a big meal before their big day of work. From what Dafnae could overhear, there was a big cache of goods to be loaded up. This likely was the Cultists' loot. 

There was another solitary person sitting who was pushing food around his plate nervously and staring deepling into the void of his mug. Pipp inquired while going up to the bar to get another round of drinks. But his reaction was very standoffish and he seemed to be having some trouble that was his own to deal with. 

The third and final group in the Drowned Rat was what looked like a Merchant and his guard. Chard tried his luck to see if they were hiring but he politely, even if quite gruff, said that he was waiting for some hires to arrive. If they don't arrive then he would be happy to take them on so they should try again later in the evening. He did introduce himself as Achreny Ulyeltin.

Waiting a bit more, they decided to try their luck in the Black Lantern Hostel. They entered the place and found a very typical hostel. Cots section off in different areas, with various workers tending to their duties. They spied the same troops from before, but not all twenty of them. About 4 or 5 were missing, likely with the palanquin. Luckily the one they recognised from the Camp was not there. Pipp went up and reserved cots for each of them as likely they would need to be close in order to be able to leave early with the Caravan. 

The idle chatter in the Hostel didn't prove much more useful - just the same information that a big loading job was coming. 

Their next idea was to chat with Ackyn Selebon. They made their way over to his outfitters field and had a chat over tea with him. Unfortunately he didn't have much to offer other than to confirm that indeed they were very busy getting a big order of caravans ready for orders that were put in.

They went back into the Black Lantern Hostel and sat down to play some cards with each other to pass the time before they would go back to the Drowned Rat to discuss with the Merchant - hopefully they could arrange that. 

In between deals, Dafnae decided to go outside for a bit of fresh air where she noticed a hooded figure gesturing towards her. Dafnae stepped outside and leaned against the wall next to her, her own hood also up.

The hooded figured whispered “I’ve a message from Rilsa Rael. She says to speak to a merchant named Achreny Ulyeltin”  She further clarified that Ulyeltin is an independent wagon master. He will willingly take them on as guards if they mention that Rilsa vouches for them. She finally cautioned "Just Don’t ask him about his cargo. He gets a bit funny about people poking his nose into his business. He is a boorish man without a trace of civilization about him. He’s not unfriendly—just smelly, vulgar, and utterly without manners." 

Dafnae thanked her for the information and said to please relay the thanks to Rilsa. And by Tymora's grace, she did, for they were running out of time.

She waited enough time and then slipped back into the hostel and told her friends what she learned. Chard said "Ah, well, there we go then!"

They finished a few more hands, waiting for the evening. Then they made their way back to the Drowned Rat. Here they found it full of patrons. Several more Merchants, looking for people to hire. 

Chard spied Achreny and his companion in another corner now talking to another man looking for hire. He sauntered up and interrupted the conversation "Sorry Mate, but we are already hired on with him." He then looked at Achreny and said "Rilsa sends her regards by the way." 

Understanding the clue, Achreny crudely dismissed the other man and looked at Chard "Well, this could have been sorted earlier, couldn't it? Got yer wires crossed?" 

Chard smiled and said, "Yes, it was a misunderstanding but its all sorted now."

The others joined Chard and they sat around Achreny and introduced themselves. Ackreny was true to how he was described - smelly, vulgar, and utterly without manners. He questioned "Even the pipsqueak?" Torsion grumbled but Chard replied before Torsion could speak "Of course! She packs the biggest punch of us all!"

The six then sat around and got to know each other and had a meal and several drinks. They discussed the plans and agreed to set off early in the morning.

After a lengthy discussion and far too much to drink, they made their way back to the Black Lantern Hostel. The hour was late and the roads were quiet. But as they were winding around the streets to the Hostel, they spied a figure in the shadows down an alley.

They continued down the path, Pipp and Chard a bit more worse for way than Dafnae and Chard. 

Pipp tried to make her way passed the person but Chard took a look into the eyes of the figure and he stopped, paralysed.  

Torsion followed close behind Chard but didn't notice him having frozen in his tracks and didn't recognise the figure either.

But when Dafnae came up, she was able to clearly see and recognise the figure. It was Dave, the Bandit they left tied to a tree outside the Bandit Camp, but he was, somehow, different, more evil, more sinister.

She called out to her companions and they prepared for battle.

This Dave landed a very heavy blow to Chard, ignoring Pipp's attacks. Then Torsion too looked into his gaze and became frozen in fear. He too received a massive hit from Dave but Chard had regained some composure and was able to fight back. But then too Dafnae became affected by Dave's gaze who also took significant damage from his attack.

But once they were able to shake off the initial shock and all were able to attack back, they eventually defeated this darker Dave. Once defeated, the figure that was Dave crumpled into bone and ash. 

This startled the Party and they looked at each other with a mixture of surprise and shock. Pipp asked "What was that?!?!"

The others explained the situation to her. But Torsion clarified "While this was Dave, it was something far more than Dave, something far more evil. I never encountered any such thing before! Let's pray this is now the end of him".

Chard looked at his friend and said "Torsion, my stout friend, maybe it would have been bettered had we put him out of his misery by the tree, instead of leaving him to this darker fate."

This caused Torsion to grumble. He did not want to admit that Chard was right. How could he in fact agree that killing someone in cold blood was far more merciful? But what had happened to this poor soul? Is there a fate worse than death? Likely there would be. 

And with that the Heroes quietly made their way back to the Hostel for some rest. Their journey would continue soon. And it would be a long and dangerous one. 

They had to be ready.