1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

The "Year of the Crown" Campaign

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DM Theophanies
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Crime is on the Rise

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A series of incidents make their way around the familiar rumor rings:

  • ~A Flaming Fist patrol has gone missing. They were headed into the Fields of the Dead but have not returned.

    ~There has been a series of break-ins along the lower income shops in the poorer parts of Baldur's Gate. Certainly bad for business, a few may lose everything after this.

    ~Caravans have been getting attacked to and from Baldur's Gate. The Fist have increased patrols but to no avail. Some speculate it is the poor and needy turning to banditry, others suggest a more organized group.

    ~There's been another kidnapping in Baldur's Gate. This time the alleged victim is a wealthy noblewoman. There has been no demands for ransom as of yet.

    ~There was a recent fire out in the farmlands, a barn filled with hay and crops lit up with nothing surviving. Nobody seems to know anything about the incident, as it happened in the night while the farmer slept.

    ~A body was found floating in the harbor a day ago. Stab wounds were allegedly found on the man's chest. The body was taken to a local temple to be investigated and prepared.

    ~There are further rumors of missing Flaming Fist, this time of one whom was stationed within the city. He just seemed to have vanished suddenly.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Explosion in the Farmlands

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The Flaming Fist are currently investigating an explosion and subsequent fire that engulfed an outpost and a wagon. Anyone with information is asked to report to it to Captain Beluarion.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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What few adventurers may be about the dangerous volcanic Greypeak Mountains in the late hours of the evening may hear odd and frequent echos of explosions in the night air. Whether they are natural and volcanic in nature or the caused by something unnatural is an open question.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Explosive Ambush on the River Chiontar

The Flaming Fist put out a public alert statement that a Flaming Fist patrol was recently attacked by exploding hin on the north bank of the River Chiontar not far up the river east from Baldur's Gate. It is rumored that with the help of local adventurers that the hin bomber ambush was largely mitigated and two unexploded hin were taken prisoner. Still though, gossip spreads that one Flaming Fist soldier was killed by the explosive surprise ruse. Anyone with information is asked to report to it to Captain Beluarion of the Flaming Fist.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Cole Mikhal And Meshana Ratheeria make sure to check in with the Flaming Fist, to give an accurate report about the events that transpired along the River Chiontar. They describe a plot involving the Hin using the fears and paranoia of Necromancer threats as a cause for the patrol. They explain that people should be weary of stories without merit behind them, and take extra precaution when answering the reports closer to the wilderness. They are willing to assist the Flaming Fist in any further investigation of this matter.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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DM Dialectic wrote:Explosive Ambush on the River Chiontar
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The Flaming Fist put out a public alert statement that a Flaming Fist patrol was recently attacked by exploding hin on the north bank of the River Chiontar not far up the river east from Baldur's Gate. It is rumored that with the help of local adventurers that the hin bomber ambush was largely mitigated and two unexploded hin were taken prisoner. Anyone with information is asked to report to it to Captain Beluarion of the Flaming Fist.


A rather muscular looking elf wearing heavy armor and a red cloak can be seen striding towards the Fist compound some time after the ambush. The elf lowers his hood and casts a long glance around the courtyard with his one good eye before approaching Beluarion and speaking...

"Greetings Captain, I am Damariel, protector and warrior of The People. I was present during the ambush against your soldiers, and I offer condolences for your fallen soldier. Your newly captive hins used a somewhat cowardly ploy, clearly intending to lure your patrol into the open under the false pretense of rescuing one of their kin from a necromancer while a group of three hins approached and used a combination of ingested ingredients to detonate themselves after charging your men. The male hin later claimed to be coerced into being used as a decoy, saying his family had been threatened in Corm-Orp."

The large wood-elf would wear a look of consternation on his face before continuing in a low rumble of a voice.

"We were able to stop one member of this other group, the female, before she could do any harm. I should mention that I also stumbled upon two more dead hins in the wood. The male halfling in your custody claimed them to be 'tests'..." the large elf pauses here, frowning deeply as he continues, "... a despicable way to sacrifice one's kin as far as I'm concerned, but it speaks volumes regarding this 'Soils' devotion to their cause. If one could even call it that." A flicker of disapproval creases the elfs features now, and then he draws up his hood.

"The female hin also said something to the effect of, 'Lady Vernosa cannot be stopped', whoever that may be, and also claimed that her male accomplice was a conscript, and not a volunteer."

With that the muscular elf tips his head in a silent salute, "I do not pretend to be able to properly judge the character of those who would sacrifice their kin in this manner, as it is not an act befitting of a true warrior or kinsman. I will leave you to discern whether this act was one of cowardice or devotion. Judge them as you will."

Unless the Fist had any further questions for the elf, he would turn in a stoic manner and stride out of the compound and head back towards the East Gate.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Missing Children Return

Things were quiet as the wagon approached a certain rock mound that stood among the plains in the Fields of the Dead. Though this was anything but the typical rock mound. Old One-Eye brought the horses as close as he could before bringing them to a stop and tapping on the back of the wagon to let the others know they have arrived. The wagon was heavily armored and reinforced. A thick door opened and several individuals poured out, including Chad the Drummer.

Chad quickly directed movement as several barrels were pulled out of the back of the wagon. One smaller barrel was opened and contained a sticky substance similar to honey. It was coated all around the opening of a makeshift door and the boulder that blocked it's way, the height of a halfling. A second barrel was opened and a ladle was used to slowly pour a powder over the honey, trapping the powder all over and across the stone blocking the door. The barrel was brought to rest against the boulder and all the group ran a ways back as the wagon turned and followed course. An archer stepped forward from the group and lit the end of a specialized arrow. It soared through the air towards the door.

As it nearly made contact with the stone, the very air started to catch fire from the flammable dust which was spread across the stone. Then suddenly there was a large explosion, even before the arrow struck the stone. Once the smoke cleared the stone was destroyed and a hole left towards their destination.

The group ran head long towards the hole, swords drawn as they crawled in but they were met with the scared faces of the children they came to save. Lucky for their captor, he had stepped out an hour before. They quickly collect those hidden away and pile them into the wagon. Before departing, Chad leaves a note in the enterance for whoever brought them there.

After a long drive, the wagon pulls up to the orphanage and the walls of the Radiant Heart and they deliver most of the children that they had rescued, many of which had been missing. Some children remained in the wagon though as Virtuous Soil had come for their own that night. These men and women did not have many answers for the questions of those at the orphanage, other than the man who tracked them down, Antonio, had overheard some adventurer, a man named Thedran among them, but Antonio was currently missing himself.

Children who remained at the orphanage would tell the tale of those that came to save them in the night, of the loud explosion and their sudden freedom.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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A red cloaked and muscular elf, the same who previously reported about the Virtuous Soils activities, returns alone to the Flaming Fist compound in the docks a half day or so after he and his group had set out to find Captain Jalu.

Damariel, with his attire looking newly scorched, strides into the courtyard and purposefully heads straight to Beluarion, his jaw clenching somewhat as he speaks, his words coming tersely and bluntly.


"Captain. Your comrade, Jalu, is dead. The man had, seemingly, turned traitor and assisted the female member of the Virtuous Soil in escaping to the east of the northern farmlands."

The burly elf takes a steadying breath now, regaining a measure of discipline before he continues.

"The men at your outpost had no knowledge of the captive, and it was only blind luck that a commoner came forward and claimed that she was jostled by your former Captain as he led his 'prisoner' off. Our group spied Jalu and the woman overlooking a massive force of kobolds wielding explosives within a valley not a half days march from here... and it almost seemed that the pair may have been directing the creatures."

The elfs gazes back over his shoulder with his good eye now, "One of our party seemed rather intent on not staying his hand against Jalu after the former Captain moved to attack us, an action that struck me as more of a vendetta than anything." Damariel says the last part with a clear tone of disapproval.

"The others were insistent upon questioning, or interrogating, the woman before we returned... and I wished to have no part of it. That being said, she was quite alive when she left my care, although she was badly wounded in our battle against Jalu. As for your former Captain, the others thought it wiser to, for whatever reason, dispose of his body right on the hillside rather than bring his remains back..."

The large elf would clearly look displeased for a moment before regaining his stoic expression, "... however, the woman of the group is in possession of one of Jalu's fingers, for whatever that is worth.", he adds in an unconvinced tone.

The large elf would then move off to the side then and adopt a calm and soldierly stance, clearly intending to wait for the Captain to dismiss him before he left...
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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*Not longer than 25minuts after Damariel showed up at the Fist compound, Eleanor accompanied by Vincent and Kory approaches Captain Baluarion, the female captive, bounded, unharmed is lead by the young squire.*

"Captain, there are things to discuss, but first can someone, please, escort this woman to a cell? Her wounds have been tended to." *Eleanor would release the captive to the Fist, before retrieving a letter and a seal of the house Vernosa from her pockets.* "Allow me to start from the beginning..."


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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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*Eleanor removes the cowl and runs her fingers through the hair then claps both hands behind her back, expression serious*

"As instructed we went to the outpost in the northern farmlands where I spoke with the officers of the watch. Neither of them have seen Captain Jalu and the prisoner, regardless of the paperwork left at the headquarters. Due to sheer luck, Tymora was watching over us, a passing by commoner told us about a man in an uniform dragging a female clad in a peasant clothing east form the outpost."


*Ellie's clear, level soprano carries no emotion remaining professional as she reports back to Captain Beluarion*

"At this point me and my associates decided to follow the tracks left by Captain Jalu and the female suspect to uncover what was happening. After leaving the farmlands and traveling further east we encountered numerous groups of kobolds carrying explosives. It was hard to determine with solid certainty whether they blow themselves up or the substance they carry is unstable enough that it simply explodes due to rapid motions."

*Eleanor glances briefly at Vincent standing on her left, then looks back to the Captain*

"Our scout found Captain Jalu with the captive rallying the kobold group in a small valley. We decided to flank and capture them both, while Mister Valaran here" *The young woman indicates the mage with a motion of her head* "was suppose to take care of the reasonably powerful kobold force. Our attempt at capturing Captain Jalu alive failed, in the heat of the battle he was killed by one of my associates."

*Eleanor's voice does not flinch, her calm gaze never leaves Beluarion's face*

"Among Captain's belongings I found this"

*The young squire brings her hands forward now, showing the seal of the house Vernosa and the letter to the Captain where following words can be read*


"Captain Jalu, your loyalty over the years has been rewarded. I am putting you in charge of Operation Firescales, where kobolds and hin fixed with our gray-powder recipe will assault the Baldur's Gate area and bring the Dukes to their knees. May the soiling fires purge the tyrants. Long live the VS.

-Lady Vernosa."


*After Beluarion reads the note, the young squire continues*


"Which proves his long time involvement with the VS movement under Lady Vernosa orders."

*Elanor claps both hands yet again behind her back and resumes her report in the same clear, serene soprano, the mask of calm never leaving her features.*

"Not being sure how many more kobold forces were in the area I decided upon consecrating the body and burying it there, as dragging it, together with a captive would slow us down, putting not only my associates but also the prisoner in danger. My main focus was to deliver this information to you. Upon questioning the woman I learned that her devotion to Lady Vernosa is great, feed by loss of her sons that she suffered during the Amn-Gate war. She was glad for being saved by Captain Jalu from her captivity. Her mental state is questionable given her fanatic devotion to VS. She said that Vernosa agreed to give citizenship rights to the kobolds once the Dukes are dealt with, and that hin-kin is also involved strongly with the movement due to their disappointment and the feeling of inequality."


*Ellie nods, looking Vincent's way before turning for a moment back to Beluarion.*

"There is one more thing you should hear about Captain. Hear my associate out."

*Vincent, still rattled for having just blown up over a hundred living creatures… stands in his own mind till Eleanor mentions his word being required, his eyes snaps back into focus*

“Hm? oh.. yes… " *ahems* "… The captive… She mentioned that this… “movement”... have been harvesting Grey Powder in the Burning Mountains… Now, I happen to know some alchemy, and I can tell you… Grey Powder is a highly combustive and unstable material once combined with extreme heat, such as Magma or… Lava, if you prefer. I believe a lot of their explosive resources may stem from this, and if you strap a barrel of powder onto a magma golem, and crash it into your walls, you’d have a lot of casualties… Its range is quite profound… And this movement has a lot of it, from what I'm gathering… Not to mention… fanatics willing to eat Grey Powder, and then -swallow magma- …”

*He blinks a few times, then sits down again*

“Of cause, if you can blast them with a heat source before they reach their mark, you can prevent innocent casualties… but this is literally worse than playing with fire what they are doing”


*There is a brief frown showing on Eleanor's visage while Vincent speaks, then her features ease back into the usual calm*


"Captain, I attempted to resurrect your colleague, to be able to question him as well but I failed at it. I consecrated and burned the body part as well. I take full responsibility for my associate's actions during the fight, I was unable to stop him and I shall face any consequences the Fist seem fit."


*The girl's voice carries a grave, but no less calm, tone*

"That concludes my report Captain. If you have any questions I should do my best to answer them."
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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The Burning Soil

The Flaming Fist puts out a public statement that a Flaming Fist troop was recently attacked by exploding kobolds in the Eastern Farmlands of Baldur's Gate, with multiple Flaming Fist soldiers killed, and that further kobold assaults were thwarted by adventurers. It goes on to say that a Flaming Fist captain imposter linked to the Virtuous Soil movement was apprehended as a primary suspect by adventurers and turned into the Flaming Fist. Some adventurers were said to also help put out explosion caused fires and to bury smoking and dead bodies in the area.

An additional Flaming Fist statement says that after some confusion resulting from the moving of the aforementioned prisoner from the main Flaming Fist brig in the Docks District of Baldur's Gate that she is back in custody there. A Flaming Fist statement is also put out saying that recently a longtime Flaming Fist officer by the name of Captain Harold Jalu was found to be a traitor, but that he was killed before he could be brought into Flaming Fist custody, it is left unclear how he died in the statement, although rumors say that adventurers pursuing him for whatever reason did the deed.

Captain Beluarion's Flaming Fist office is also seen putting up posters around Baldur's Gate asking for adventurers to aid in hunting down, dead or alive, the traitor and murderer Lady Vernosa or any of her Virtuous Soil associates. A large reward is offered for doing so.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Peaceful Growth?

Rumors spread of occasional peasant hunger strikes and other passive forms of resistance to Duchal rule in the periphery farmlands of Baldur's Gate. To some gossiping locals, this may signal a new non-violent segment of the Virtuous Soil movement frustrated with both the ruthless violence of many in the Virtuous Soil in the past few months and what this alleged new sub-movement also terms Duchal tyranny and illegitimacy to hold power. To others, it is just likely nonsense that remains unverified.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Wanted Posters

Two wanted posters are distributed throughout Baldur's Gate by the Flaming Fist:


Lady Katherine Vernosa

Wanted For:

Wanted by the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company for rebellion and treason against the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, sedition, murder, theft, vandalism, assault, facilitating impersonation of members of the Flaming Fist, bribery, disorderly conduct, illegal distribution of explosive substances, damage to property, and harming of cats through unlawful use of explosives.

Reported Description:

She is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Her appearance is that of a human female of high noble grooming of about 45 years of age. She typically is seen wearing leather armor of excellent make, wielding a longsword or sickle, and wears her straight long blond hair held back behind her head with a head band. She is an allegedly capable cleric of Chauntea, but this may just be a rumor. She almost always is seen wearing a necklace with the sickle emblem of the traitorous Virtuous Soil movement. She is reportedly often among a great host of body guards and servants.

Known Associates:

It is reported that she has associated with numerous other human, gnome, and hin rebels and traitors, monstrous races such as fire giants and kobolds, as well as various attempted infiltrators into the civil and military administration of Baldur's Gate.

Allegedly Last Seen:

She was last officially seen fleeing a Flaming Fist Mercenary Company and Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary raid on her former noble estate east of Baldur's Gate earlier this year. Rumors and unconfirmed reports since place her in as varied locales as the Graypeaks to the wilds east of Baldur's Gate to the roads east of Baldur's Gate along the River Chiontar.

Offered Reward:

The Flaming Fist Mercenary Company offers a substantial reward for this wanted fugitive, dead or alive, of thirty thousand gold pieces. For details, please speak with a local Flaming Fist officer.




Chad Lafayette

Wanted For:

Wanted by the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company for: rebellion and treason against the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, impersonation of members of the Flaming Fist, damage to property through explosives including duchal holdings, a Flaming Fist outpost, thirteen head of cow, three pigs and the combined holdings of three farms and two merchantile shops, violence including both murder and assault, theft, bribery of city officials and members of the Flaming Fist, arcane spellcasting with the purpose to harm or manipulate others and illegal distribution of explosive substances.

Reported Description:

He is considered extremely dangerous and manipulative through bardic charms. He is a human male approximately of twenty five years of age, of average height and weight and keeps a well groomed appearance. He is often dressed in finely made cloth or leathers of various coloration. Often sporting a drum when in public.

Known Associates:

Many of his known associates are considered missing or dead. Allegedly works closely with a one eyed caravan driver.

Allegedly Last Seen:

He was last officially seen leaving the farmlands north after a routeen caravan stop involving the assault on a Flaming Fist Officer.

Offered Reward:

The Flaming Fist Mercenary Company offers ten thousand gold pieces for this wanted fugative brought in alive. For details, please speak with a local Flaming Fist officer.

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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Arrested Part One: Hunger Strike

After a small ruckus the Flaming Fist were seen dragging a member of the Virtuous Soil away to prison. Talk among the crowd indicate he was an old man pacifist selling his harvest. Reactions ranged from apathy to gladness to shock.
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Re: 1351 Campaign - Act 2: Veiled Threats in Baldur's Gate

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Arrested Part Two: On Trial

A group of protesting farmers outside the Flaming Fist stronghold over the arrest of their friend. By the group it would appear that this old man was more than he presented. He seemed to inspire something in the community. A certain black haired and perhaps too knowledgeable woman was among the group and offered some information on the situation and on the Virtuous Soil.

Court was in session, an officer under Captain Norton overseeing and judging while Captain Beluarion persecuting farmer Vincent. Bathsheba stepped up to defend the man who was more a pacifist and a tired soul than a threat to Baldur's Gate. After some convincing diplomacy from both Bathsheba and Terri, the judge showed mercy and although the verdict was guilty, the man was given two days to cooperate with the Fist and the Duchal agents to end the violence.

After court, the black haired woman remained a moment longer offering a few words and some comfort to Clement over his mother's farm, offering to watch over it. She offered him her Chauntean banner as she departed with a smile.

Those Present:
Bathsheba Ranunculus
Alonzo Xarxine
Clement Bennet
Alika Bladestorm
Terri Lalani
Belladonna

Rewards:
1500xp or gold
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