1351 Campaign - Act 1: Warlock's Crypt and the Plague in BG

[Layla0340]

(((Carski, very nice RP

[Ariella]

The newcomer form the norths jaw is almost on the table as the guardsman recounts the story at the Elfsong.

"Wha' the hell yo mean 'a group of adventurers' !?"

"Your talkin' about an bloody undead dragon AND some blighter strong enough t' be in control of it by The Rider! You telling me just 'some adventurers' killed it? I don't think so lad. This is the Sword Coast not, a war b'tween the Planes"

He licks his lips.

"I heard something about the Blackstaff and Paladinson being here abouts. Maybe if the Duke took em on a hunting trip then maybe....there aint too many bigger names on the Coast than theirs after all?"

He looks at the guard almost hopefully for some confirmation thinking to himself 'and I decided to move here...'

*A beautiful Sunnite, dressed in fine red silks clearly displaying sune's symbol and charming smile, overhearing the conversation would comment to him*

"you are right sir no group of adventures, but a great many holy warriors from the silver rose and radiant heart.. such undead is no match for the power our faith grants"

[DM Dialectic]

Rumor spreads that a dark knight riding a flaming steed was spotted east of Ulgoth's Beard before riding at high speed to the north.

[kleomenes]

Ameris and Telia return to the Temple of Ilmater after an absence of half a ten-day. Ameris would explain that he and Telia had teleported north to purchase and collect needed supplies in the region of Secomber. The focus was particular medicines which were running low, allowing for the continued treatment of mundane injuries now that the plague was abating.

Ameris would explain that the pair had taken some of the Dragonwing supplies set about as a matter of urgency undertaking rounds of various known ill and sick - the elderly, infirm and most impoverished who found visiting the temple difficult even before the plague, and who had been hard to help during the worst of the crisis. The majority had suffered badly or had even died during the sickness. Those who remained were in great need and the distribution of food and medicine to them in their homes would be vital in saving the lives of those who could not attend the temple or other sources of relief.

He would speak highly of Telia's aid in soothing hearts even as he attended to each patient's health.

//100 heal kits purchased and burned! And RP'ed distribution of some of the Dragonwing supplies

[Carski]

As a wave seems to rise higher and higher—

An undulating beat...like the thumping of a magnificent pulse...can often be heard—some may say felt—flooding through the alleys and over building-tops.

It's source seems variously placed, throughout the docks. As varied as the instances in which the people do rise to declare their legitimacy to the higher classes.

[Memento Mori]

[right]THE ARRIVAL OF SUPPLIES FROM DARKHOLD[/right][/color]

[/b]

Representatives of the Committee for Foreign Affairs and Economic Exchange (more popularly known as "the Foreign Exchange Committee" or "FEC"), arrive outside the walls of Baldur's Gate flying the banners of that city and of the Lord's Alliance, and stood at the head of a large caravan. The caravan is said to be filled with relief supplies, including food, medicine, and clothing, imported from the Dalelands and Moonsea regions by the Zhentarim.

Rumors spread quickly that the influx of supplies is a gift from Darkhold, and that it has been given freely by the Zhentarim agents there as a munificent gesture of good will to the city in its time of need.

Emissaries representing the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange, Doron Amar, and the House of Beauty were all said to have been present. They were met at the gates of the city by members of the Order of the Silver Rose.

The supplies were stopped outside the city, circled, and protected so that the temples of Gond and Ilmater might inspect them to ensure their safety, and to ascertain whether they remain unspoiled. Once the temples are content with the supplies, it is said they will be distributed through the Foreign Exchange Committee healing centers, and by the harbor masters and dock workers guilds of Baldur's Gate.

[DM Dialectic]

Rumor spreads of a large armored rider riding a flaming steed sighted north of the Chiontar river and east of Baldur's Gate.

[Carski]

// Is the plague campaign over now? How about the riotous Harbor District? Political tensions overall? Lots of recent RP from all camps in the last 3+ weeks, but small reaction from the NPCs, either in this thread or others. Or, at least publicly. Has the Campaign switched to focus only on a small group now? Any updates and signs of action/reaction would be great to further our RP.

Granted the crashing of the server isn't helping, but that seems to be vastly improving as of late. How can we get further involved in influence of the campaign, if it is still moving forward? Thanks.

[DM Dialectic]

Rumor spreads that some dwarves of Kraak Helzak in the Troll Claws spoke to, for an extended time, then slew, a large armored knight and its flaming mount.

[DM Theophanies]

Rumors spread up and down the Trade Way of a large explosion occuring between the Friendly Arm Inn and Beregost. A few individuals may come across the remnants of a broken down caravan and several barrels which quite literally exploded. Whispers speculate the wagon was heading towards the Gate.

[DM Dialectic]

If some walked along the northern bank of the River Chiontar in the past couple of days, east of Baldur's Gate, but before the road ventures on to Elturel and Triel, and ventured into the woods north of the river near one of the campsite clearings present in this area, they may have smelled the stench of dead burning flesh drawing them towards a clearing in the forest just north of the river. There, in a gigantic pile of ash containing gigantic bones of what may appear to be a bear, deer, or a horse, as well as another ash pile containing burnt human remains, they would also possibly see three human heads left on pikes.

[DM Theophanies]

The State of Baldur's Gate

The Dukes of Baldur's Gate make an official declaration that the last victim of plague in the city has died at least a ten day earlier and that the last new case of plague reported occurred a tenday earlier than that. The proclamation is clear: the plague has been entirely eradicated from Baldur's Gate. The Dukes additionally thank all those factions within the city and beyond, allied and otherwise, whom came to the aid of the city in its dire time of need and supplied it with much needed goods and logistical support during and after the pandemic. The Dukes say in no unclear terms that such aid from all those who gave it will not be forgotten.

---

Even though the darkness of the disease has receded permanently, the economy still suffers greatly from its impact. Healing supplies and food are no longer as lacking, as, positively, the tremendous supply efforts in aid of the city have made a difference. Still, Baldur's Gate significant reduction in living population now demands less of such goods that were previously lacking, which, negatively speaking, has also been part of the reason these goods are no longer in great need. In spite of the bountiful aid provided, the overall economic output and income of the city has dived to lows not seen since the war with Amn. Some even speculate that if the aid given did not occur that the city could have rapidly imploded, so that perhaps this is a fate to be pleased with.

In the post-plague economy of the city, many continue to turn to banditry and crime as a fast way to get coin in a harder urban economic climate. Meanwhile, the overall morale of Baldur's Gate has bounced off lows reached tendays earlier, before aid was given to the city, but the spirits of many residents are still quite negative, prompting further whispers of conspiracy against the Dukes, sometimes now even spoken in the light of day. Unrelated, some now gossip of strange dark riders from the north in recent tenday, but whether they pose any threat to the weakened port city is yet to be known.

[mangel]

Sealed scrolls are delivered regularily to the Duchal palace by a grey robed messenger. Each one sealed with the wax symbol of Jergal.

The scrolls count the names and times of deaths of all those given to the Jergalites for interment at the graveyard, for future tax records

[Tsidkenu]

If some walked along the northern bank of the River Chiontar in the past couple of days, east of Baldur's Gate, but before the road ventures on to Elturel and Triel, and ventured into the woods north of the river near one of the campsite clearings present in this area, they may have smelled the stench of dead burning flesh drawing them towards a clearing in the forest just north of the river. There, in a gigantic pile of ash containing gigantic bones of what may appear to be a bear, deer, or a horse, as well as another ash pile containing burnt human remains, they would also possibly see three human heads left on pikes.

A blue robed Priestess of Mystra who had in fact been in the regular habit of coming to this forest to scrounge for spell components (primarily due to its close proximity to the city!) would this time come across the grisly scene. She would spend a little while examining the scene for possible clues, causes and whether or not she recognised the impaled heads. She would then depart quickly back to the city so as to report the location of the site to Flaming Fist officers so that they may chase up any potential missing person reports and conduct a more thorough investigation.

[DM Theophanies]

Visions

Late in the evening, the clergy, paladins and favored souls of various faiths and races recieve a vision.

Of the Human Gods: Mystra, Helm, Torm, Tyr, Lathander, Umberlee, Jergal and Myrkul
Of the Dwarves: Gorm Gulthyn, Berronar Truesilver and Clanggedin Silverbeard
Of the Elves: Corellon Larethian and Sehanine Moonbow
Of the Gnomes: Garl Glittergold
Of the Halflings: Yondalla

Individuals would recieve the vision either in their dreams or if awake then overcoming their vision as if they are living it in real time. The visions would be especially vivid and intense for the clergy.

---

The vision begins in a crowded wood.



A deer exits the bush and regards you curiously, it's head rotating around 360 degrees to view you, the velocity of the turn increasing every second until in nearly a blink it was over... did it really happen? It was hot after all and water was sparse in the hills, unless you braved the warring troll kingdoms who safeguard what surface water is available nearby. Your mind is wandering...



The deer bolts out, quite rapidly moving faster than expected, faster than a haste spell, twirling and bounding around the ground moving out of time with the surroundings until it suddenly smashed into the ground by a boulder.



The roars of legions of trolls break the silence as the descent upon you, though you are not in your regular clothes, dressed only in rags and tiny sharpened sticks. You may try to run though your legs do not move as they are caught in the mire, sinking slowly into oblivion... the last thing heard is not the yell of trolls as they descend onto their waiting prey but a laughter in the back of their mind...

---

Then the scene changes, you are once again dressed in their regular attire only now you stand within the dreaded Necropolis of Warlocks Crypt.



Menacing blackened spires reach up from the ground like skeleton limbs out of the soil, attempting to defile the now night sky. There is a long path before them, winding in broken cobblestone, lined with the ruins of ancient pillars.



The path ascends a large hill which leads up to a large castle like structure with blackened doors covered in dried and stained blood. Deadly spikes penetrate out from around the structure and the doors themselves are mainly closed, with one barely wedged open. The laughter sounds again, only now it booms across the necropolis as lightning splits the sky.



Ahead, before the door, a ancient human lich appears dressed only in ancient bones and radiating in power. He looks to you his expression unchanging for what may seem like a moment or an eternity before there is a sudden flash and he appears beside you.



"You must leave fore the door is ajar, the dogs will escape... do not open it wider.... there will be great devastation if you do not prepare" the lich utters in a monotone voice, though hints of concern underlay his words. Another flash of light and the lich stands ahead of them, half way between the door and their location. "I have no time, turn back, prepare..."

Laughter floods your mind as the scene and the vision ends...

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