Beregost / Amn 1351 Campaign Thread

[DM Dialectic]

Fearful gossip grips the streets of Beregost as four are found dead at a Beregost home crime scene, three of them grievously wounded outspoken anti-Amnian townsfolk and the other dead a nameless rogue that may have attacked the three townsfolk and died in the process as the townsfolk defended themselves. It is being investigated by the Sheriff's office whether the murders were linked to possible politically motivated violence by a pro-Amnian alleged conspirator that may have hired the dead rogue at the scene in a murder for hire or whether the gruesome cleaver wounds of the three dead townsfolk and a cleaver left in a raw steak at the scene implicate a more legendary and non-aligned criminal that pops up from time to time in town rumors in the past few decades of the town's history: the Butcher of Beregost. Some more dissenting townsfolk against the recent tax hikes in Beregost seem more fearful about speaking out as they fear the violence may indeed have been politically motivated. Others more neutral on the issue or in favor of the tax hikes gossip somewhat more that maybe more revenue to Amn is a necessary trade for improved security in the town.

Some may hear that a group of adventurers visited the recovering Lady Burgoz, who it is said is now a wraith of her former brilliant self. Some baskets of apples were at a point removed from Burgoz's quarters on suspicion that some of the apples within were poisoned and the temple then issued a policy that only gold donations to a foundation for the lady's recovery and candles donated outside of the temple in Burgoz's name will be permitted to be given on her behalf from now on.

[Seymor]

In an effort to help the people of Beregost with their higher taxes, the Faithful of Mielikki are providing job opportunities. The following message is posted around Beregost where people might see it.

The faithful of Mielikki are offering job opportunities for the people of Beregost. We are looking for eager, self-motivated, hardworking, able-bodied people to plant trees, trim branches and other duties related to the Forest. Training with a Ranger on how to care for the forest may be provided.

If you are interested please leave contact information below.

<There is space for people to leave contact information>

Mielikki's Blessings,
Robin Silver, Cleric of Mielikki
*Weasel Paw*

[DM Dialectic]

Gossip in Beregost spreads that two more dead bodies were found today in town with cleaver wounds and blood writing stating "CHER" on one corpse and "BUT" on the other. These bodies and the evidence found on them was reported to and brought into the local Amnian authorities. The bodies were identified as a local mercenary Jon and a local arcanist enchanter named Alaria, a good friend of Thalantyr's. The adventurers then were rumored to have spoken with Thalantyr, where after some odd occurrences, including one of the adventurers being tossed outside asleep, they were able to get Alaria's magical notes in Thalantyr's possession with a ruse that one of them was a mourning relative of Alaria. Her notes were identified to hold a powerful enchantment spell. The group was then allegedly assaulted by three bandits seemingly seeking Alaria's notes, with one escaping them while the others fell.

A woman named Angelina then approached the adventurers, who, seeming suspicious, was accused by the adventurers of being one of the three bandits. It was then pieced together that she was in fact the Angelina that had been missing since Antolina Burgoz was attacked tendays earlier and also Antolina Burgoz's former assistant and former accuser of her being a tax embezzler. The adventurers detained her after a battle and stopped her from killing herself with a poison capsule. They then interrogated her for a short time and turned her and notes collected off Angelina and the two bandits into some Amnian soldiers, for a significant reward given the evidence offered to the soldiers and the charges. The soldiers were seen by many eagerly hauling Angelina off to the Sheriff's brig, a truly platinum perp catch of the day.

[Hitman Hard]

(purely meta-info, unless you gained knowledge of this)

Thalantyr then snaps his fingers and one of his golems carries Valiant outside and throws him on the lawn and slams the doors behind. Valiant crashed onto his arse, one of his loose poison vials skittering across the grass and shattering against the fountain. He limped to his feet, and cracks his eyes open, the magically-empowered sleep fading. He thought a moment, and decided to use his professional specialty; disguising.

He threw on some white safari-hunting clothing, applied face putty to make his cheeks chubbier and the bags under his lids more pronouncedly sunken, then put on a white-haired wig and an artificial shaggy beard. The final touch; changing his eyebrows to appear thinner, sprouting out to wild lengths in all directions. He waited a good forty minutes before entering, thinking about his life for awhile and viewing the sunlight arcing in slippery cracks through winter dry and unsappy trees.

"Looks to the newcomer Do I know you? You look awfully familiar."Thalantyr had a flattered look on his face from some compliments as he talked.
Valiant appeared saddened before snapping out of it. "I am just... coming for my niece's things."
Thalantyr: "Well, I was thinking about forming an arcanist and anti-tax opposition group here.Your niece? Who would that be?" The mage turns to the man.
"Alaria. We were supposed to have a picnic with some family within the tenday, a big reunion. Then I went to beregost and..." He shakes his head as if visualizing a horrid imagery.
Toman spoke up, "Hello there." Tips his hat.
Thalantyr: "Oh... You are a relative of Alaria then. I am so sorry for your loss.Here, I will give you her notes.Thalantyr turns to Toman. "Hail."Walks over to the bookshelf and takes out a stack of papers.
Valiant: "Thank you. It will be hard to walk down the street without everything reminding me of her."
"Here you go, sir." Thalantyr hands the notes to the man.
Toman talked now, "I couldn't help but notice the large man that was tossed out of here at my feet. Thought I'd come make sure everything was okay
Valiant takes the notes and blows into a tissue with his nose. "Thank you."
The wizard intoned emphatically, "Please let me know if there is anything I could do. She was a good friend. Oh, yes. Some thief was trying to steal the notes I just gave this poor man."
"Might of been the murderer," Valiant glares towards the exit as if contemplating going after him.
Thalantyr: "Thankfully, I just put him to sleep and took them back, then had my golems throw him out.The murderer? Hmm. Now that is an angle. So, you asked how I could help, what I would offer is this. Keep your eyes open in Beregost, report what you find to the sheriff, he is one Amnian that is honest and honorable and not corrupt.Let me know if you find anything further regarding Alaria."
Fiera nods.
Thalantyr added; "Alaria had a residence in Nashkel you may want to check out as well. There is an address in the notes I gave this man."
Deirdre said, "Wouldnt want to make any promises but sure, I let you know."
"Her home in Beregost is worth visitng as well."
Wulfden offered, "Very Well, lets head back to Beregost, and look for clues on Jon the mercenary, and checking over the houses."
"Thank you, again." Valiant concluded.

[DM Dialectic]

Rumor spreads that the famous smith Thunderhammer of Beregost was forced to let go of one of his dwarf apprentices due to a lack of coin flow after the recent tax increases by Amn in Beregost and some large inventory purchases of Thunderhammer. The laid off dwarf apprentice was seen by many locals and adventurers sadly sobbing on the street outside of Thunderhammer's shop after the fact, with his equipment beside him, demoralized that he may never realize his dream of studying under one of the great master smiths of the realm. Asking if any could aid his former dwarf employee, Thunderhammer propositioned gathering adventurers to help the dwarf find new work in blacksmithy. Two bidding groups of adventurers then emerged, making competing offers for the dwarf apprentice smith, one of two humans offering great wealth for the apprentice's labor, and the other of dwarves of Kraak Helzak, including the dwarf Maxwell, offering a mentor of masterful skill for the apprentice and kinship among his own kind. The dwarf apprentice, ultimately persuaded by his dwarven kin's offer, eagerly agreed to venture with the dwarves to Kraak Helzak to work under one of the dwarven master smiths apparently described as being located in the dwarven city.

Seen by many teleporting from Beregost with the apprentices' equipment and aiding him in carrying it, the dwarves, an aasimar woman, and a gnome arrived in Kraak Helzak via teleport and the apprentice again sobbed as witnessed by many dwarves present, this time with happiness at the prospect of still being able to realize his life long dream of training under a master smith. After a brief tour of Kraak Helzak, the apprentice was seen by locals joyously setting up his equipment at his new forge home of the dwarves.

[Seymor]

The Faithful of Mielikki are going to offer jobs to Beregost. A message is posted asking any faithful who are interested to join.

8 PM GMT, 2 pm Central
Saturday February 7th
DM Dialectic

[DM Dialectic]

Elite Amnian Lancers are seen on Hammer 30 in Nashkel conversing with some locals as their war horses ate mountain foothill grass after a hard day's ride in the region on horseback touring Northern Amn with Bailiff Axehand, who mentioned he was back in town for a press conference to be held the following day. Two lancers and the Bailiff may have been seen conversing with a half-elven female, called Avae, insulting her affinity for Doron Amar and Baldur's Gate by calling the elven nation "Kobold Amar" and referring to Baldur's Gate as that "northern barbarian village run by tyrants." After the Bailiff left for his staying-room at the Ghastkill Estate, the two lancers also spoke with a wandering man named Rhaegar, who they got along with more splendidly.

Later, a few more adventurers are rumored to have approached the lancers, with one of them trying to pick a fight with a lancer after she was insulted by the lancer for refusing to answer questions about her business in Nashkel. The Mayor Ghastkill of Nashkel happened by and defused the tension, then heard that the gathered adventurers, now including an arcanist named Fiera and a difficult man called Zeland, wished to speak with the Bailiff Axehand about Amnian policies in Beregost. The Mayor offered to see if the Bailiff would speak with the adventurers about their inquiries, taking them to his family's Nashkel estate where the Bailiff was staying.

The Bailiff was available to speak with and he came outside of the estate with two Amnian Lancer guards. The Bailiff ordered some of the adventurers before him to remove their masks, as he would only speak with those whose faces he could see. When one man, called Zeland, would not do so, he ordered his lancers to remove his facemask with force, which they did, eventually needing to rough Zeland up in the process. Soon afterward, this Zeland and the Liliana with him left and only Fiera and Rhaegar remained to question the Bailiff, seen by some leaving the estate later on in the evening.

The following day, 31 Hammer, a press conference is held by the Bailiff with journalists from throughout Amn as well as two from Baldur's Gate, Jon and a Dave Counterpunch, seen walking up the path to the Ghastkill estate to meet with the Mayor and the Bailiff for the media gathering and question and answer session.

[XyrisMourn]

*Beregost is an unquiet place of late, but in the spaces in between the grumbling residents and roaming guards are home to a silence in which the shadows move, and watch, and listen. The tall, thin figure moves amongst those shadows, his mind moving faster than his precisely placed steps.

The shadows are fewest around the light of Lathander's Temple, and between the burning brands decorating the Town Hall, but it is there that the cowled monk moves most often. Already the windows and doors have been gauged for strengths and weaknesses, the roof assessed for entry points. Already the interior mapped and routes planned and re-planned. Still, the silent figure checks and re-checks*

Brother. I believe we are ready.

[Seymor]

Robin goes into the Risen Phoenix Tavern to talk to Samuel Feldepost about the hide trading business in Beregost. He asks questions about who trades hides, what needs a tanner and tailor could provide for Beregost, and who is currently tailoring in the town.

[SirGabrielK]

Edward Drath can be seen walking around Beregost. He's approaching citizens, both common and important individuals, and making extensive conversation.

[DM Dialectic]

A shocking rumor spreads. Antolina Burgoz has been assassinated in her secure temple chambers in the Song of the Morning temple. The assassin, a tiefling, taking his own life after making his way, battered and bruised, through temple guards to Burgoz, after him and possibly an accomplice performed various distractions of the temple guard. The temple guard is doubled and the Amnian military stands watch outside of it. It remains to be investigated exactly how and why such a tragedy has occurred many speak.

[kkrazlite]

It was a tough job. . . but a job non the less. . . on this day Antolina Burgoz fell to my brother's cold steel bolts. It was a day of great celebration but also a day of remorse as he fought bravely in landing the finishing blow. . . I always knew he was a determined lad when it came to his line of work. . . and he definitely showed it today! Talos shall be pleased with his work and shall grant him his road to greatness in the after realms. . . For he has earned his right for not only his bravery. . . . but his determination. . . will. . . . strength and cunning all together. . . He was a college at times. . . a friend in others. But to me. . . he was a brother and i am damn proud to call him such.

Talos guide your path Brother Daamien . . . For you will always be remembered in my heart. . . and watched over by the our lord Talos himself in the after-life.

For the Talosian Empire for we have won our battle this day!

Zeno Zelot

[XyrisMourn]

*On the outskirts of Beregost, cowled and nestled in shadow, they await the return of their acolyte. Shouts echo from outside the temple. The two figures look to each other, nod slowly, and lower their heads in prayer. Echoing from the shadows, come the murmured devotions of those dedicated to Murder*


May your thirst be quenched in blood.
May your hunger be sated by the souls offered you this night.
May you revel in the feast we lay before you, Master.
Take the acolyte to your table, Master.
May he join with you now, and feast upon the soul of Antonia Burgoz.
In humble service, we feed your power, Master.

///post edited to make it clear the shouts of dismay were from outside the temple... not from the clergy themselves. If this still causes distress please let me know directly, rather than through the DM team.

[Syracuse]

Throughout the night of Antolina's murder, Wyn'caellia maintains a quiet investigation through the streets. Her brow knit, and her knuckles tensed, the elf's sharp eyes take her from stone to stone, tracing steps by her fingers.

Her murmurings and her presence outright should be enough for any of Beregost's citizens to know what she's up to. Ever since Antolina's attack, the elf had been a constant visitor, and on occasion, thorn in the side of further attempts where she may be.

"To think that relentless moron died. To leave nothing behind but his smelling, rotting, hell spawned corpse... I'm sorry, Lady Burgoz."

She didn't come to hate the dawn knights for this slip up. It was unfortunate circumstance, and some lucky fools so bent on killing one woman, they were willing to die over it. Pulling spools of her long hair back past a pointed ear, and again, sweeping from corner to corner. Eyeing the streets, more than any people. Reviewing so many little bits of information. But at the forefront of her mind was the advice a priest of Torm had given her, within Baldur's Gate. When a very bloodied, and morose hunter walked into his temple and quietly contemplated the human deity of servitude and duties.

She found herself liking Torm. Where her tribe would have been wholly focused on the outrage of harm coming to one of their own the impacting concept of failure in duty is what kept her biting attitude from ripping into innocent men that did their best. She had a hand in all of this blame.

"Where the wicked look to destroy the good and the innocent. Slay them. Very well... you dug your grave. My only regret was not to taste your anxiety when I put you in it. But I will obtain justice for this. And I will find everyone you called ally. And your kind will die in the mud. Pierced by my song."

Wyn grips the parchment of Daamien's dying expression with a deep, purposeful sigh. At least they had a little to go on. At least she had a start. Studying it again, the elf makes way North. But not before purchasing a pot of colored ink. Thoughts of where to place a very unique quiver of arrows would keep her sane until her initial rage quieted, as she considered a new set of prayers to mark these arrows by.

"It's just a matter of time."

[cbananos]

Pale eyes watch with interest the activity around the Temple during the night. Taking note of the elf, the figure offers a prayer and slips away.