DM SummerBreeze Events (Please read my event rules.)

[DM SummerBreeze]

*******************************Disclaimer - My event difficulty range can be: Hard to Challenging******************************
If you do not like the possibility of losing, or having negative consequences happen to your character, or that one or two of your companions, or your character, may be defeated in battle occasionally. You probably will not want to be in my events. This does not, however, mean all my events are combat heavy, they most certainly are not. Feedback on events is appreciated, but I will not tolerate abusive OOC behavior due to consequences and reserve the right to eject anyone from an event if they display such behavior. You've been warned.

I'm just reserving this topic here for event write ups and records. I prefer for things to be public, though only those involved in the events (and those they tell.) would obviously have any knowledge of anything here IC !

Anything under "current rumours" is common knowledge and can be used by anyone, regardless of actual event participation.

If you are "killed" or downed in any of my events, you are considered mortally wounded, rather than killed. You will suffer no memory losses (unless you choose to.). There are sometimes consequences to being downed, however.

I always appreciate any feedback directed into my inbox.

My time zone is PST, and usually you'll see me around in evening PST unless I have extra time on a day off.

General rules or tips for my events:

1 - If you want to roll a skill check for something....do it ! My events are very RP heavy, and if you've invested in sense motive, search, spot, lore...roll it ! Then send me a tell following the roll, of what you're trying to do with said roll. You will NEVER need my permission to make a skill check toward something as long as you tell me what it is for and it makes sense. Do not worry about what level you are, I adjust my DC's for anything based on what I see your level is, so if you are level 10, your DC to match will be lower than a level 30 for the same task. I try to be inclusive of all level ranges.

2 - Try to allow everyone to have their say in things, unless it would go against your characters natural instincts. What this means: You don't need to be the main character of the story, because you might not be around when the next part of the event happens. Or maybe you're only catching one piece in the middle? I try to involve everyone of all levels.

3 - Try not to invite your entire guild to my events unless it is an event specific to your guild. What this means: Do not send tells to your buddies OOC to let them know an event is happening around you, I don't use the shout channel for (most of) my events for a good reason. I prefer smaller group events with a heavy emphasis on role-play and player choice. If we get too many people involved, the role-play and my ability to keep track of what is happening starts to fall apart ! So please keep this in mind, as this one is important to me.

4 - Try not to just attack every NPC you see. What this means: I emphasize role-play heavily in almost every case in my events. If your character has a good reason to attack an NPC, by all means, do so, You do not need my permission to attack ANY NPC in my events. But be warned, there are consequences to your actions ! These could be things such as alignment shifts, semi-permanent curses on your character, damage to your characters reputation in the world, utter and complete failure/defeat, and so on. So this is a good thing to keep in mind. Sometimes you can talk your way out of a fight !

5 - Hide your location on scry. If you find yourself in one of my events, I ask that you kindly party up with the people around you who are also joining, and please hide your location on the scry. As mentioned above, I don't normally use the shout channel to announce events, things can and will happen organically, and suddenly.

Otherwise, I hold no real rules in my events. I try to make everything as open-ended as it can be with no constraints or limitations beyond your character sheets.

Looking forward to many fun times with you all !

My Official DM Discord: DM SummerBreeze#3346

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Curious Case of Ser Roland Nightgale

Characters involved so far:

Oth Neren
Rhaeg
Iolanna
Drakx
Jarah - owed 6k xp
Drem Caliban
Teris Ynarno
Menolly
Vik Dunhayev
Aaron Lyonaler
Vanira Renslin
Azariah

Short Write up of Events so far:

Rats, rats everywhere ! The farmers of the gate, all the way to Nashkel complain of higher than normal numbers of rats. Rats that do not respond to poison, that are more resilient than the norm. They are seen even inside the cities themselves. These rays have been accompanied by varying levels of illness, some of which has taken to an extreme... Some have seen black veins on exposed skin, an inability to respond to audio ques or physical, entering almost a catatonic state, before eventual death, the corpse itself usually spewing out more rats, followed by a grotesque transformation into some form of undead.

Seeing this first hand, a group of adventurers investigated, travelling across the land following clue after clue. A burned book, a series of Thralls....all leading to one name "Ser Roland", and one mysterious "Namissa".

Upon further investigation with townfolk, it was revealed that Ser Roland was a travelling merchant, and any and all who bought his wares, usually foodstuffs, became extremely ill...and where he went, the rats spread. Our group of heroes followed the trail to Nashkel, finding even the cart itself parked there in front of the inn, hastily emptied, as if someone were in a rush. The adventurers hurried into the tavern only to find a scene of panic and gore in what was once Ser Rolands room ! though the battle with the fiend he left behind was short, it seemed that a box was left behind. Due to the quick wits of one Teris Ynarno, the puzzle that locked away the teleportation rune within was resolved, and so they travelled on, using the rune to chase after Ser Roland.

It was here they came into a tomb of unknown origin. Filled with dust, and barely lit. They ventured forth toward the single light source, to find Ser Roland himself, sobbing over what looked to be an ancient coffin, surrounded by posessed thralls, what appeared to be sacrificed townsfolk, and golems made of what one could only assume, was the disposed of corpses of his victims. Although Ser Roland did not immediately choose violence, the discussion was short, as Vik Dunhayev was quick to attack, giving no chance for a possible escape plan. The battle was difficult, Ser Roland a powerful necromancer, but eventually the heroes overcame and killed him !

Unfortunately, in Vik's haste, the posessed hostages were also killed in the melee, as they were still under Ser Rolands control. Leaving only more victims to this terrible rat-curse.

After the battle, the group investigated the coffin, only to discover many ancient locks of magical origin, clearly meant to keep whatever resided inside, from getting out. Oth Neren, inspecting the coffin through magical means, discovered that indeed, a powerful undead presence lay within it, which lining up with the previous information he had gained through scrying, had deduced that Namissa must be a potentially powerful undead, and that Ser Roland Nightgale himself, could infact have also been a thrall, but just a particularly powerful wizard as well. Ultimately, the group decided against tampering with the coffin, for fear of releasing something worse, and moved on from the terrible place.


Days go by, and the rats that plagued the towns have lessened and seemed to return to normal. The threat of this necromantic rat plague it seems, has been ended.
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Current Rumours:

Time passes, and sighting begin to occur of a strange woman by the name of Layla Nightgale. She has been spotted, and engaged by Aaron Lyonaler and his band, as well as Teris, Azariah, and Oth Neren, in another spot near Ulgoths Beard. She seemed open to speaking to those who engaged her, though quick to escape by teleportation when she surmised that things may turn to violence. It was pointed out by Rhaeg through, that this woman is clearly of undead nature.

Azariah, accompanied by Oth Neren and Teris Ynarno, used a trace teleport to determine Layla's escape location. Bravely, they used that information to teleport to the spot, only to once again end up in the same familiar resting place of the mysterious Namissa. Layla, nowhere to be seen. It was here they encountered a conversational vampiress who did not give their name, but made their lineage obvious. She warned them to dispose of whatever it was that allowed them to come to the tomb, and leave, and never come back. The longer the group stayed, more and more vampiric entities began to materialize from the shadows around them until ultimately they chose to heed her advice, and escape.

(Feel free to send me a PM with any actions your characters are taking with any of this information, and I can add it here as we go, for visibility and record keeping.)

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Curious Case of Ser Roland Nightgale Act II

Players Involved:

Oth - Had Key of Silence, has since handed it over to the Radiant Heart
Iolanna
Vik Dunhayev - Had the Artifact to contact Layla
Aiden Vega
Arturi Valdaskah
Emmanuel
Sorin
Vanira Renslin
The Blackrose Guild
The Order of the Radiant Heart - Has key of Silence
Aaron Lyonaler
Sean Asen of the Radiant Heart - Has the artifact to contact Layla, retrieved from Vik

Brief Summary

Layla Nightgale, outed now as a vampiress, able to walk in the sun, has been spotted now many times exploring the area around Baldurs Gate, Soubar, and Ulgoths Beard. She has been approached and conversed with...though she comes across as oddly friendly, she most certainly has an agenda of her own. When Aaron Lyonaler and his group attempted to corner her just outside the farmlands, she used some sort of rune to vanish. It is assumed this is some form of teleportation by those who have seen it.

It was through these visits that it came to be that one Vik Dunhayev made close contact with this known vampire, even going so far as to leave with her, alone, to what many surmise is her lair, but also doubles as the resting place of Namissa, a tomb of unknown origin. It was here that Vic learned that Layla was in fact a matriarch and greater Vampire, in control of one part of a vampire house known as the Nightgale. Namissa, who is sealed with enchanted locks within the tomb, is from what he gathered, a fairly large threat to both Layla and her faction, as well as the people of the Sword Coast. Or at least this is how Layla explained it. She then sent Vik on a quest to seek out and retrieve the "Key of Silence" which is a direct line to the tomb itself and Namissa's resting place, that was previously held by Roland, which as it turns out, was a human thrall of Namissa's all along, trying to free her from her entrapment. Without this key, Layla said, they could not be certain that Namissa and her faction would not one day be free'd Vik inadvertently mentioned that Oth Neren currently held the Key of Silence. Vik was returned safely to Ulgoths Beard, with these instructions to retrieve it.

A few days passed, and the key was not returned, so once again Layla made an appearance, once again on the shores near Ulgoths Beard...it seemed to Oth at this point, that this spot appeared to be the place she was spotted most of all. It was here that Emmanuel, Oth, Sorin, and others approached her. Emmanual taking a seat in the sand near her, decided this time that diplomacy was in order, since she was known at this point, not to attack those who approach. He asked her of her plans, what it was she was doing here this time? It came about that she was in fact hunting "rebel" vampires of the Nightgale house, who had decided to approach the area. She did not know where they were, only that they were near, as they had discovered her apparent friendliness with the local inhabitants. It was then that a group of adventurers had discovered three vampires in the cave near Ulgoths, it was assumed they had hidden there due to the daylight, the adventurers managed to slay these three, or perhaps things could have been worse for the people of Ulgoths.

Through conversation with Emmanuel, and his non-violent approach, Layla let the group know that this would not be the end, and if Oth did not return the key and allow her to seal the pathway to the tomb, that the splinter-faction of the Nightgales, who are loyal to Namissa, would be difficult to control. She offered her help in hunting down and disposing of the rebel Nightgale's if Oth gave her the key...but Oth refused. Layla warned, that when night came, they would want her help, but once again, Oth refused....so with that Layla vanished once again, telling them only that she would leave them to deal with the problem themselves, then, since they had refused to aid her.

As night fell, the cold was palpable, and the night was silent...or so it seemed at first, but as the hour drew later, children, women, brothers, husbands...they began to not return home, corpses and blood were found around the roads near many of the populated city cetners, such as Soubar, Nashkel, Baldur's Gate, and Beregost. Several groups of lesser vampires, led by a smaller core of extremely dangerous greater vampires had decided that now was the time to strike, feeding and terrorizing any who dared to walk the roads of the night or those unlucky enough to come be within their range. Luckily, a few bands of heroes got together and managed to push them back and wipe them from the coast, but it was a difficult and extremely deadly series of encounters, and they were unable to rescue any of the victims, for they were far too late.

As this deadly night passed into day, those on the coast have heard nothing again from Layla, and must decide what move to make next...Will they strike out and attempt to destroy both Layla and the one called Namissa? Will they risk death to fight such powerful beings of the night? Or will they use their diplomacy, and give Layla what she wants, trusting that they will never return....or perhaps something in between?


UPDATE:

Ser Sean approached Vik and managed to convince the man to hand over the artifact that enables someone to directly call on Layla. The idea was to hand it over to the fist. Vik, being more than happy seemingly to be rid of the artifact, handed it over, feeling as though the true intentions of the device may in fact be to spy on him. He also mentioned what information he could, to Sean.

Oth has also handed over the Key of Silence to the protection of The Order of the Radiant Heart.

Current Rumours/Common Knowledge:

Rumours have it that Oth Neren may have been indirectly responsible for a deadly night of vampiric attacks. By refusing to hand over some sort of key, and refuting any help given by a woman named Layla, who is a known vampre herself, to track and destroy these kin of hers, many innocent people fell victim to the vampire clans bite that evening. Whether handing over the key would have even made a difference, would be up to ones interpretation.

Rumours have it that a known vampire openly named Vik Dunhayev a "friend" and that she was looking forward to him potentially fulfilling his task and convincing the others to come to their senses and help her retrieve some sort of artifact. She seemed to hold Vik in a kind of higher regard than the others she has thus far spoken with.

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Curious Case of Ser Roland Nightgale ACT III

Characters involved so far:

The Radiant Heart
House Darius
House Vale
The Thieves guild
Daniel Nobody
Sel
Rheag
Arturi Valdaskah
Adrie Brightsong
Sean
Morgan
House Blackrose
Oth Neren
Nathan Goldenmane
Iolanna



Short Write up of Events so far:

As the heroes of the Sword Coast plot, plan and decide what to do with Layla Nightgale, and the perceived threat of something even worse in Namissa, vampire attacks and raids in the dead of night increase in severity upon the populated lands across the coast. Two areas in particular, Baldurs Gate and its surrounding farmlands, and Soubar, and its surrounding refugee camps and traders, are feeling the greatest brunt of the attacks, losing multiple soldiers as well as many farmers and traders. Victims being dragged off in the night, only some recovered with many going missing entirely to whereabouts unknown.

The more time that passes with a decision unmade, the more tension begins to rise. Rumours that Oth Neren is holding the key captive while the vampires hunt, has disturbed some around the gate into believing that the key of silence should be given over to Layla Nightgale in order to let her end this. The Radiant Heart, House Vale, and House Darius feel that they should instead create a plan to crush both Layla and Namissa once and for all.

Is it possible these groups can battle these ferocious vampires? Some heroes have already fallen to their blades, the older ones of this clan, as it seems, are no push-overs. Even Ser Sean himself, in an effort to hold the die of vampire raiders near Soubar, challenged Layla herself to battle, despite eye-witnesses claiming they saw Layla fighting off some of these vampiric raiders herself within the Farmlands of Baldurs Gate not long before. Ser Sean, unfortunately, was not strong enough, and he and his group of heroes suffered only defeat at Layla’s hands, after she teleported several bodyguards into the fray to protect her.

Nathan Goldenmane, accompanied by The Radiant Heart, House Vale, and other members of House Darius did however, strike a decisive blow to a locally discovered nest of younger vampires within the well in Baldurs Gate, burning their coffins and killing the freshly recruited vampires and thralls within, even taking out two or three of the older vampires in the process. Certainly this will stem the tide somewhat.

This small victory, however, did not prevent the subsequent attacks on the farmlands, and Soubar, which came to a head on the same night. Several Flaming Fist were killed before the vampires in the farmlands were fended off, with more attempting to hold ground near the tower outside Soubar. It was here that the group from Soubar, lead by Morgan, met with the group from Baldurs Gate, lead by Iolanna, and Oth Neren. Tensions immediately became high, as Morgan and her group were unable to defeat three of the older vampires near Soubar, and allowed them to escape before the sun crested the sky. Each group seemed to want to handle the situation differently, hand the key over, defeat them, talk to them? One thing was for certain, they felt no need to work together.



Current Rumours:

Rumour has it the Radiant Heart, headed by Sir Sean suffered an embarrassing defeat outside Soubar at the hands of the known vampire Layla Nightgale after a brazen attack on her person.

Rumour has it Nathan Goldenmane, leading a group composed of House Darius, House Vale, and Radiant Heart, stuck a victory in crushing a nest of vampires within the well in the farmlands.

Rumour has it an elven woman named Adrie managed to parlay, to an extent, with the vampire Layla Nightgale, which lessened the amount of violence that came from Sir Sean’s defeat.

Rumour has it, the thieves guild footpads, cleared a section of sewer of straggling vampires. It seems they were armed with silver daggers. Perhaps the thieves have begun to become heroes.

Rumour has it that the known vampire Layla Nightgale, defended several homes in the farmlands from vampire rival attacks, saving the lives and property of the farmers that lived within.

[DM SummerBreeze]

I will be on Vacation and not able to do any big DM events for 1 week starting on the 19th of Sept 2020. Will return to regular DMing on the 26th-ish onward. Thanks everyone, looking forward to whats coming !

UPDATE: Back a bit early. So will be open for DM stuff starting after tonight ! (So the 24th going forward.)

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Curious Case of Ser Roland Nightgale ACT IV

Characters involved:

House Blackrose
Radiant Heart
The Zhentarim
Morgan and Laila
Beuroza
Victoria Thornheart
Ry’dia
Nathan Goldenmane
The Illmatari Temple
Adrie Brightsong
Iolanna
Carah Evenwood
Vik Dunhayev

Short Write up of Events:

The attacks were fierce and quick, over and over, they pick off the weakest links. Farmers out late, and more recently, refugee’s outside of Soubar under the protection of the Blackrose. Time passed, and nests are rooted out near the closest outskirts around Baldur’s Gate, though for each one breached and wiped out, another seemed to take its place as Namissa’s faction seeks to bolster their ranks.

It was then that Layla began to re-appear, here she offered her aid in ending these nightly attacks, once again in trade for aiding in the repairing of the degrading seal that holds Namissa captive. It was clear that she was running out of time, and patience. Fear of becoming outnumbered, as she ordered her own faction of the Nightgales to not take on the same tactics as her rival, she began to make arrangements:

First was the meeting with the Tiefling. He offered her no help, only the offer to per chance bring her back from her dark curse. Though the hope remained that he could yet find a way to at least seal the tomb, with the permission of the Ducal Representatives….which was firmly denied him.

The second was the Necromancer and her apprentice, she offered herself, and her apprentice’s life on the line to aid in sealing the tomb, and an alliance of undead. Layla found these undead creature beneath her stature, and executed the dominated vampire weaklings the apprentice had offered her as gift. She did however, learn that one man out there, still carried the dark gift, and was going through the change….perhaps, this was her key. She ordered the Necromancer to bring him to her...unfortunately, she was not quick enough…

For the third meeting, it was with the Knights, where she had once offered her hand to the one called Adrie in communication, they used the device once given to Vik, to open the contact barrier. Layla detected their hidden guard upon approach with keen vampiric hearing, though pretended not to notice. The knights prodded, poked, and asked for more, more more information, while giving nothing in return. Layla, left frustrated by the encounter, having gained nothing of use.

The fourth meeting, Layla hunted and killed the sire of the man who was gifted the dark curse, and used this in order to summon him, not knowing fully what to expect. What she got was beyond her expectations, for none other arrived than the Dreadlord of the Zhentarim, and her closest confidants, as well as the General Beuroza. It was then that Layla learned, that it was none other than the general of the Zhentarim that had fallen prey to the dark gift in his last encounter with Layla’s enemies. She offered him freedom from her foes, and a choice….Join her in immortality and become one with the clan at her side as her Deathknight, or she would trade his life to the Dreadlord, in exchange for the aid of their greatest masters of the weave, in order to repair the seal.

None would have foreseen what came next, not even Layla herself. The Dreadlord pledged the greatest of their Blackcloak masters, and freed her commander, Beuroza of his service. It was then that the man named of the Steel Devil, was reborn as Deathknight Boris Nightgale, giving himself to the dark gift. In this marriage, they secured their place of standing in the clan of Nightgale, under the command of Layla herself, and by association and pledge, the Zhentarim have grown themselves a new and powerful ally in the clan of Nightgale. Born of blood, and sealed with a signet, the clan moves now as one with the Zhentarim, into an alliance that could last for a thousand generations or beyond.

Layla Nightgale, has secured her aid, and a powerful new companion, who will be brought only to further heights as they embrace their new dark, immortal gifts.

(OOC Note: This will push into the permanent retirement of the character Beuroza, within the final Nightgale event. The player is aware, and have made this choice of their own volition.)

( RP Item: Nightgale Signet Ring, given to Victoria Thornheart. Has ability to summon a greater undead (18) 3 charges/use, +1 Regen, +2 Saves Universal )

(UPDATE: Reconning Ry'dia's choice to join the Vampires, player has chose this.)


Current Rumours:

Vik Dunhayev has spread the rumour that he spotted known vampire Layla Nightgale meeting with the Zhentarim commander and the Dreadlord herself, leaving via teleportation to parts unknown at the crack of the early light of morning.

Rumour spreads that the vampire attacks are slowing, and only stragglers remain. Vampire’s killing other vampires have been spotted in the darkest corners of the coast. Some of them them fighting alongside a small number of elite Zhentarim soldiers.

Rumours of Darkhold only:

Rumour spreads that commander Boris, has succumb fully to a vampires curse, and has embraced his new immortality with open arms. He has taken on new title, of Deathknight of the Nightgale Clan. The physical changes the huge man has already undergone have only become more permanent, and more pronounced. Only the cold gaze of vampiric undeath stares from his eyes now.

[DM SummerBreeze]

*** FINAL EVENT NOTICE FOR CURRENT VAMPIRE PLOT ***

Final Event is taking place on the evening of the 24th of October. I will then be moving off to other plots and this will wrap on this day. The people involved in the final event (mostly) know who they are and are decided solely by the current leading guild involved ( Zhentarim .) Thank you all for your participation. Please poke me if you have any actions you wish to take in relation to this event BEFORE the 24th of Oct.

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Curious Case of Ser Roland Nightgale ACT V (END)

Characters involved:

House Blackrose
The Zhentarim
Morgan
Beuroza
Victoria Thornheart
House Darius
Rhaeg
Nathan Goldenmane
Carah Evenwood
Teris Ynarno


Short Write up of Events:

The pledge was honored, as the Zhentarim moved forward, in step, with the Nightgale faction led by Layla. Quickly and in force, a force of Zhentarim Blackcloaks and Elite led by the now fully fledged Vampiric Deathknight Boris Nightgale, and Dreadlord Thornheart.

The infamous necromancer Morgan, leading the ritual personally along side several blackcloaks, and a high magi of house Nightgale, were then defended by the combined forces of Layla’s faction and the Zhentarim. The battle was harsh and brutal, many vampire and Zhentarim lost their lives in defense of the ritual, but eventually it was a success, the tomb’s seal was repaired and Namissa, who they now knew was a Vampiric Dragon, was sealed once again, hopefully this time for good.

It was here that Boris himself though, having pledged himself bodily to the vampiric curse, took his decisive action. A general of Namissa, a vampire countess attacked in one final push, leading with her a score of elite vampiric warriors, in this battle Layla herself was badly injured, but victorious, but it would be these injuries that would be taken advantage of; for in that moment Boris took the charge: Beheading Layla while she was severely weakened, taking the Matriarch’s signet and regalia for himself. The remaining, weakened force of Layla’s faction then becoming subjugated wholly by the new Nightgale Patriarch: Boris Nightgale. So his rise in power became complete, and the joining of the vampire clan and the Zhentarim became absolute.

This would be a great victory for Boris and the Zhentarim, and a notable future power which would now lay beneath them when needed. Again, their decisive action in the moment had proved ultimately to their benefit.

( Actions by non Zhent factions below.)

House Darius and the followers of the Maimed God would not take these attacks sitting down. In an effort to help, Nathan Goldenmane gathered together forces of the both combined and saught out research on how to rescue those vampiric victims that were left behind on the coast, lost without their former generals and leadership, especially with Namissa now sealed, they were left to their own devices as the void of leadership of Namissa’s faction was suddenly vacant, and Layla's faction subjugated and under new control.

Through long hours of research and study, Nathan learned that the only ways to return a full vampire to life, would be a True Resurrection, or the spell Wish. Only Wish would truly be a guarantee. But what sort of master of the weave could possibly possess such a powerful spell? It was here that he learned of an Androsphynx, by the name of Nenkhe, a truly ancient spellcaster who’s library rested between realms, hidden away from prying eyes or possible thefts by a series of magical barriers, locked by illusions and riddles. Through quick wits and intelligence of Teris Ynarno they were able to break past these illusions and move into the library of Nenkhe and his keepers. It was within here that they met the ancient librarian themselves, leathery wings, and humanlike face of an old man, it challenged each of their group to a game of riddles. All but one managing to win the game !

It was then that they were gifted with various scattered rewards of treasure, and a single totem which allowed them to summon him when their need was at its height, but only once, so they had to choose wisely.

It did come in handy though, as later the group moved to the last remaining nearby holdout, lead by one of the last remaining Nightgale generals, it was here the group managed to rescue many folk….and even a Drow….from unfortunate lives as unwilling undead. Between rescuing hostages and defeating elite vampires, they made their way through with only minor losses of life. It was in this place where they finally faced the final elite general herself, and in this battle they summoned Nenkhe, who, using the spell of Wish, was able to turn the general back to her human form! The battle was avoided, and an ancient vampire was returned to the land of the living in a most unexpected way. It was here than Nathan and the others learned of Boris’s newfound role as the patriarch and lord of House Nightgale itself, and the joining of the vampire faction within the Zhentarim.

And so ended the tale of faction battles, with a decisive victory for the Zhentarim, and a successful rescue operation by House Darius and the Temple of Illmater.

( Rewards given: XP, gold to epics. Random-roll CR 10 and 20 chests. Nightingale Signet Rings. Clear RP rewards for factions and players alike. Beuroza/Boris character retirement. )

Current Rumours:

Rumour has it that Commander Boris of the Zhentarim, is now Deathknight Commander of the Vampire house Nightgale, and is wholly embraced by the dark curse, with all the weaknesses and strengths that go along with it. Rumours of the Zhentarim victory would spread worry amongst some of the populace.

Rumour spreads that the Illmatari and house Darius, were successful in bringing home many brothers, sons, daughters and adventurers to their families in Baldurs Gate and surrounding townships. Not all would come back, but some is better than none.

[DM SummerBreeze]

Men and women of the Sea Part 1


Characters involved:
Sel
Alarielle
Ashenie
Emmanuel
Ashling
Kelian
The Thieves Guild
Teris
Ytarya
Derik
Sirion
Reiker
Orienelle
Sophia
Aravae

Short Write up of Events:

A ship arrives on the coast off Ulgoth's Beard, the men and women aboard say they are Illuskan. They bare with them interesting markings upon their arms, legs, bodies, their necks, jawlines....tentacles, of black and blue and deep reds, interesting tattoo's of note. Some of these folk, are so foreign in fact, that they are unable to speak in anything other than their native Luskan tongue. Those that can, seem friendly and open for the most part, enjoying the local taverns and fishing on their ship at sea like any other resident of Ulgoth's Beard. Most locals think nothing of them, other than their odd foreign ways, accents and language not all can understand.

It was not long after their arrival though, that some things began to go amiss. Livestock vanishing, a report of a missing local drunkard. Spottings of...something, beneath he waves from fisherman out around the coast. Something large, and dark. A tentacle here or there. It does not appear to be outright violent or aggressive though, so the fisherman mostly have dismissed many of these sightings as hearsay or addled minds of drunk sailors. Though there are some that are drawing a connection.

Late at night, on the shores not far from Ulgoth's, some of the Illuskan fishermen are seen praying, seemingly to the sea itself. Occasionally offering things like wine, spirits, or food to the ocean. Though with how friendly these folk are with the locals, most do not think much of it. It is not too strange, after all, to make offerings to the Queen of the Depths amongst their kind, in order to ensure good sailing and to avoid storms. Or that is how many would see it.

Some adventurers, and would-be fishers though, have been reporting strange behavior from some of the local folks, as well as a few encounters and sightings, and even a violent confrontation, with pairs of tentacles on the shore that have attempted to grapple or draw them into the sea. Some even seem drawn to the ocean in these places. With such sightings becoming more and more frequent as time moves forward.

Current Rumours:

There is word of multiple instances of livestock suddenly going missing, as well as one person, a womans husband, in Ulgoth's Beard. People seem uncertain as to what is happening. Some at the local taverns have spoken of seeing a few newcomers speaking with strange accents, but they seem like friendly enough fishermen, not really the animal thieving sort. The timing of their arrival and these disappearances do make some folk suspicious though.


The elf Alarielle, and her companion Ytarya, caused quite a stir amongst locals when the sight of a hellball being summoned out into the coastline was both seen, and heard. The waves shaking nearby ships and the subsequent disruption bringing many dead and charred fish, crabs, and other sea life to the surface of the water, or washed up along the beach.

The man known to some as Sel, has been nearly nightly, at the shoreline of Ulgoth's Beard, seemingly deliberating at the edges of the water for long periods of time throughout the night.

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Vampires Return

Characters involved so far:

Pretty much the entire sword coast at this time.



Short Write up of Events so far:

A Lord from another land traveled through Balduts Gate, and then off north toward Soubar, stopping in various taverns to get their bearings along the way. A friendly sort it would seem. A lord “De Vries” they said. Just looking for directions, maybe even a map would help.

That same night, a woman is found dead in a cornfield in the Eastern Farmlands. Drained fully of their bodys life-blood. Those characteristic bite marks denoting all to well what they fell victim to.

An unmarked cargo ship arrives a few nights later at the Baldurs Gate harbour. Mercenaries wearing beat up armour unload their dead along with supplies off the ship. It seems they return from a battle somewhere else. They load up wagons and begin to make their way north. They leave behind a lot though, broken crates, unused, rotten coffins, refuse and garbage. The dock workers complain about having to clean it up.

Another body is found and reported, this time shoved unceremoniously into a bush within the walls of the gate, off in a dark alley. A homeless woman, once again…drained of all blood.

A bloody, torn up dress is found in the harbour, but with no victim in sight.

Vampire spawn are encountered in the Cloakwood but are dispatched…barely, by Yuri, as a vampiric soldier stepped into the fray as well, nearly killing the adventurers that came across them.

Broken, empty coffins are found both within the walls of the gate, as well as near the Friendly Arms Inn, within the Cloakwood, and on the road to Beregost. Could these not be discarded refuse after all? But something else more nefarious… whatever was in these, they seem to be long gone now.

Mercy’s Blade, Nathan Goldenmane is badly injured in an encounter with several Vampire Thralls and Vampiric Soldiers, nearly being killed in the process. He was saved by the brave Konosuba who rushed in to battle, nearly falling himself but with the help of Oth, Szar, and Teris they came out victorious.

It is clear that something is amiss, and these vampires are on the move. It was also quite clear they were not there to pick a fight with the gate, the Dukes, or anyone else. They were gone almost as fast as they arrived, leaving only a few stragglers and victims turned spawn in their wake.

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Current Rumours:

Rumours of an unmarked cargo ship arriving at the docks within Baldurs Gate, and offloading a fairly large amount of plain looking coffins, as well as military looking supplies gave rise to questions. It was said that a battle had been waged oversea and these mercenaries were moving their dead overland. Some were loaded into caravans and moved fairly quickly, others left behind....seemingly empty, for some reason.

Once the dock workers realized some of the empty containers had been abandoned, they started up a large bon-fire in the farm lands and burned the excess refuse, wooden boxes, broken wooden coffins that seemed mouldy and empty. They surmised that these folk had left so quickly, because they wanted to dump their excess trash on the poor workers. Of course, this generated a lot of loud complaints at many a tavern to any who would listen. Similar stories of these caravans and appearances slowly begin popping up in many locations across the coast.

[DM SummerBreeze]

Dances with Fae

Characters involved so far:
(A secret.)


Short Write up of Events so far:
A strange man appeared from the bushes in a puff of purple hazey smoke. Challenging various people around the gate to games of dice. Those that -lost- the game they say, were whisked away suddenly, and abruptly.

Those people were eventually returned, confused….but each of them, with a “gift” of some kind. A piece of a puzzle. What will happen, when all the pieces are put together?

Who really knows, but some say it will be incredible. Some guess it may even grant a wish.

Current Rumours:

Rumours of the strange man visiting various places in Baldurs Gate are spoken of. He visited the Lewd Lyre, the Palace District, and just outside the Elfsong Tavern they say. Three losers of the dice games were given a gift. Who they are? Only those who were present really know.

[DM SummerBreeze]

((Going to be a bit absent until the new year. I will be popping in and out, but it is "that time of the year" for me where I will be excessively busy and a bit brain dead. ))

[DM SummerBreeze]

(( OK I am back in action. If anyone sent me a PM over December/Early Jan and I did not respond to it, please re-send it or poke me directly on Discord or through PM on the forums, I may have forgotten about it or missed it entirely, as I had a lot on my plate work wise IRL. Thanks for your understanding ! ))

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Lost Knight

Characters involved so far:
River Steel
Fenix Wandersoul
Netanya
Nyxis Kelve
Aiyda Hasabah
Blake Hightower
Radiant Heart


Short Write up of Events so far:
A strange fog rolled in in the evening upon those that traveled about near the bridge connecting Baldur's Gate proper and the roads….an apparition appeared. Speaking, talking to itself. Seeming to flutter in and out of existence. It seemed to be a shadowy, cloaked woman in armour.

The group followed the dark mist and found an equally strange sight: Off into the woods was a house, one that had not been there even hours before. It’s door lay open and in its depth was only a mirage of blackness and colours. Several folk lept in through the doorway and were immediately greeting with a strange, twisting sight. As the light filled their vision they were indeed now within the Baldurs Gate city proper….only it was not. The inhabitants all wandered aimlessly, speaking in reverse, not even acknowledging their presence. Further in the courtyard, the same woman flickered into existence, along with her a strange, hulking shadowy individual, blade in hand.

The woman ran, only to be struck down by the large shadow, no corpse left behind, she simply vanished. This one though, did indeed seem to acknowledge their presence. They asked questions only to be answered with many things that seemed to only be pieces of the puzzle, talk of a curse, a perpetual death, and entrapment. The group ended up attempting to dispatch this creature and were victorious, or at least it seemed so, as the being vanished into nothingness.

Moving on, again, the armoured woman flickered in an out of existence, leading further into the city. Here the group came across another shadowy creature, a dragon, though…not, as its being flickered in and out of existence as well. The knightly apparition, yelling out a battle cry engaged the creature but was seemingly injured, vanishing again. The group pushed forward and chose to dispatch the shadowy dragon themselves, sending it back to the nothingness it was born from.

Again, the knightly apparition flickered in and out of existence, suffering seemingly, and in pain. As the group pushed on, they came upon her once again, this time chained down, surrounded by impassable shadowy brambles and it appeared, the same dark shadowed creature they had dispatched earlier in heavy, black armour. There were three now, and they spoke as if they were indeed one and the same entity, despite having multiple physical manifestations. Nyxis attempted to sneak over the brambles but failed, the others attempted trickery with the apparition, and also failed, causing a battle to ensue. Injuries and near death were sustained, but they dispatched the foul creatures, and freed the beshadowed Knight from her chains. This time, she held a sword, one of glowing, pure light. This time, she noticed those who had freed her: “One who brings joy, song, and goodness please take my hand” It was here than River Steel, the bardess too her hand, along with Nyxis Kelve, taking her other hand. The armourned knight nodded, and then offered the others to please gather round, and she would give them escape from this foul curse now that she had been freed.

It was then the group was, in a flash of light, brought back to the woods outside the strange house, now slowly but surely fading from existence. The knight however also was knowhere to be seen, instead a sword lay in Rivers hands. As she gripped it it spoke to her clearly in her mind. What was left of the cursed knight lay now in this artifact, all that was left of their physical body which remained, just the name “Liandra Twoflowers” ringing as introduction. In Nyxis hand, a circlet, though no words spoke to her from it, and seemed to only be an old piece of decorative armour, an imprint of what was once there lingering.

Current Rumours:

River Steel decided to sell the sword, rumoured to hold the soul of a singing knight for a profit to the Radiant Heart, who purchased it to keep River from selling it to the highest bidder, potentially allowing it to fall into the hands of evil. This rumour has spread quickly, causing her reputation among the population of Baldur’s Gate to fall.

Rumour was, that Nyxis Kelve’s circlet also contained a piece of a “soul”, and it was spread that they were keeping it captive for some sort of nefarious purpose. This rumour, also spread by River Steel, was dispelled by the Temple of Mystra through study of the item. It came about it was simply a mildly enchanted circlet.

Rumour is that the man known as Blake Hightower now possesses the sword, and has been openly communicating with the sentient weapon, causing the two to begin to become companions of a sort while he attempts to find a way to break the soul free from its current predicament potentially.

[DM SummerBreeze]

The Book Thieves

Characters involved so far:
Sel
Norin Benthur
Talin Benner


Short Write up of Events so far:

While travelling down the tradeway between Beregost and Nashkel, the trio including Norin, a Paladin of Helm, Sel, and Talin came across a panicked and frightened elven woman. She held a hammer in her hand, and mentioned she had barely been able to escape with her life, her master on the other hand, was still trapped in a nearby farmhouse they both lived in.

Norin and Talin chose to investigate while Sel stayed behind as a lookout. Within the house the two found the culprits, along with one dead man on the floor, apparently bludgeoned by a hammer. The apprentice, they surmised. Although the bandits tried to bribe them, Norin was having none of it, despite Talin's protests that perhaps they could gain from this without violence. Norin, with a battlecry to Helm on his lips, charged into the fray against the thieves and dispatched them along with Talin's aid. Together they learned of some sort of spellbook held by the man of the house, Arthur. Apparently a rival mage was here to steal this book and the secrets within it.

As the pair moved to the upstairs of the house it was there they came across the rival, surrounded by a trio of undead servants. Arthurs shouts for aid could be heard from behind the locked doors further off, but they'd have to get through this necromancer first. The two fought hard, sustaining injuries but came out on top, rescuing Arthur and his property. They left victorious, but wondered what this spellbook truly contained, that a necromancer of such caliber would be so interested in....

Current Rumours:

Rumours spread around Nashkel and Beregost of Norin and Telin's bravery in rescuing a local man and his property. Their reputation in the areas becomes more trusted and known. A knight-errant of Helm, and their dashing friend will not soon be forgotten.