Session 0 - Tavern Brawl

General Summary

Quick Summary:

• The players know each other through a Coup attempt upon Baldur's Gate. They all played roles in trying to overthrow the leadership of the city, because of suspected evil or corrupt intentions.
• The coup failed and now the band of misfits have been hired by Captain Darmin Zodge, a captain amongst the ranks of the Flaming Fist.
• Flaming Fist is Baldur's Gate's military presence and current enforcers of the law, however they are hired mercenaries, so no real allegiance to the city.
• At the gates of the city, there is mass panic, as the Flaming Fist has completely shut down all access in and out of Baldur's Gate.
• Zodge wants the group to find the Followers of The Dead Three, who follow the death domain Deities Bane, Myrkul and Bhaal.
• Zodge tells them to get important intel from a Spy named Tarina who frequents the Elfsong Tavern.
• In the Tavern the group eventually finds Tarina, but they are quickly ambushed by a group of pirates, led by Dead-Eye, who are also looking for Tarina
• The pirates mortally wound Tarina and the adventures decide to come to her aide.
• At the end of the brawl, Bry and Mako were able to bind Dead-eye to ask questions...but before anyone could get a word out, Veronika decided to kill him.
• This left the group stunned, but their main point of contact was still alive after Coelor was able to heal her during the scuffle.

Rewards Granted

• Group reached Level 2!

Missions/Quests Completed

• Meet and talk with Captain Zodge
• Find Tarina in Elfsong Tavern

Character(s) interacted with

• Captain Darmin Zodge 
• Elfsong Barkeep
• Knuckle Bones players in Elfsong Tavern
• Tarina
• Pirate crew led by Dead-eye, who wanted Tarina dead

Notes

Detailed Summary:

--

Welcome to Baldur's Gate, a veritable nest of rats and vipers clinging to the rocky slopes overlooking the Chionthar River. From their high perches in the Upper City, the local nobles - known as patriars - gaze down with veiled contempt upon the common rabble in the grimy Lower City, which hugs the foggy harbor. The whole of Baldur's Gate reeks of blood, crime, and opportunity. One can easily fathom why pirates and traders are drawn to this place like flies to a carcass.

 
Following the river farther east would eventually lead you to Elturel, capital of the holy land of Elturgard - or at least that was the case until a few days ago. The flood of refugees from Elturel has gotten worse since news first arrived that the city has fallen. Everyone is saying Baldur's Gate is next, but no one truly knows who or what has claimed Elturel.
The patriars pay a mercenary army called the Flaming Fist to protect their interests in Baldur's Gate, and by extension, the city itself. The Flaming Fist has gained even more power since their charismatic leader, Ulder Ravengard, claimed the title of Grand Duke a few years ago. Apparently, Ravengard is missing. In his absence, the Flaming Fist has sealed the city's gates to staunch the flow of refugees. No one is allowed in or out.
All of this was brought to the adventurers' attention shortly after they were drafted by the Flaming Fist to help defend the city. Their orders are to speak to Captain Zodge at the Basilisk Gate, which pierces the city's eastern wall and takes its name from the various statues that rest in its niches and perch atop its battlements. Unseen beyond the sealed Basilisk Gate, a dirt road stretches through the Outer City slums to the bridge known as Wyrm's Crossing, then to distant realms beyond.

Dozen of Flaming Fist soldiers are trying to control an angry mob of commoners eager to leave the city. A fight breaks out between soldiers and commoners and you finally spot Captain Zodge as he wades into the fray and beings throwing punches. Just another day in the city of blood.

--

Bry quickly reacts to the scuffle unfolding in front of the group and brings a few commoners to the ground. She quickly binds them and lets the Flaming Fist officers take it from there. The rest of the group come upon Captain Darmin Zodge as he gets control of the situation and looks over to them, smuggly gives them their mission.

The refugee crisis is stoking fears that Baldur's Gate may suffer the same fate as Elturel...which has been completely wiped of the map. The players find out that Grand Duke Ravenguard was visiting Elturel when it was destroyed. Zodge does not think this is a coincidence. Zodge suspects there may be a connection between those behind the attack on the neighboring city and a cult like group that has plagued Baldur's Gate for some time. He tasks the group to seek out the Followers of The Dead Three and kill them on sight.
A spy named Tarina is in the Elfsong Tavern nearby, she owes Zodge a favor and is known to have information regarding the Followers of The Dead Three. He tasks the group to seek out the Followers, find their hide-out, slay as many as possible and Zodge will give each member of the group 200 gold.

The group reluctantly accepts the task, as they do not have much other choice...knowing that Captain Zodge is aware this group attempted the Failed Coup on Baldur's Gate recently. Upon entering the Tavern, Tarina is no where to be seen, and the bar-keep isn't giving much information. Taven sits at a table amongst patrons who are playing Knuckle Bones and beats everyone at the table. After a few rounds, he gets information that Tarina may be in the upper level of the building.
Not to overwhelm the spy, the group decides to split up, Taven, Coelor , and Veronika go upstairs, while Red, Mako, Bry, and Nimh stay in the main area of the tavern.
Taven, Coeler and Veronika successfully identify Tarina and begin conversation with her...Meanwhile, downstairs a large group of pirates charge in the doors, demanding to see Tarina. The patrons and the group exchange glances, but then Red, seeking friendship from anyone she comes across, lets them know that Tarina is upstairs. The pirate crew charge up the steps and Red smiles wide, thinking she just made a new group of friends. Mako, Bry and Nimh know this means trouble and immediately charge up behind the pirates. Red stays down at the tables, interacting with her new Knuckle Bone friends.

The leader of the pirate crew, Dead-Eye busts into the room with Taven, Coeler, Veronika, and Tarina and without hesitation stabs Tarina through the stomach. The rest of Dead-Eye's crew surround the group that was upstairs and a brawl ensues. Mako, Bry and Nimh make it up the steps just as the fighting begins and join the tussle.
In the end, Coeler is able to heal Tarina, the group (who is later joined again by Red) takes out the pirate crew, and Bry and Mako bind Dead-Eye for questioning. Just like Dead-Eye didn't hestitate in his attempt to kill Tarina, Veronika doesn't hesitate to strike down the tied-up pirate captain. Her spell immediately kills Dead-Eye and the rest of the group is left looking at the dark Warlock as she stands over Dead-Eye's lifeless body.

Pirate Leader, Dead-Eye

Report Date

13 Feb 2021

Primary Location

Elfsong Tavern

Secondary Location

Baldur's Gate