Knights of the Shield
1 Marpenoth, The Year of Twelve Warnings (1494 DR)
The Coast Way, Sword Coast
The adventurers left the city of Baldur's Gate and are on their way to Candlekeep to meet with the sage, Sylvira Savikas, whom they hope will unlock the puzzle box and the mysteries of the Shield of the Hidden Lord. They are joined by Reya Mantlemorn, a Hellrider, and Falaster Fisk, a Calishite who works for Sylvira Savikas, a renowned sage in Candlekeep.
As the Basilisk Gate opens, Flaming Fist soldiers hold back the tide of Elturgardian refugees. The adventurers cut a path through the wretched souls, whose wails intensify as the Basilisk Gate closes behind them. The dirt road cuts through the slums of the Outer City, past the walled neighborhood of Little Calimshan, to the great span of Wyrm’s Crossing. Reya Mantlemorn, a female human Hellrider, keeps the cowl of her cloak over her head to avoid being recognized by any members of the Flaming Fist. Still a teenager, Reya was born in the land of Turmish, and came to the holy city of Elturel to train as a Hellrider when she was twelve. As a faithful follower of Torm, Reya is prepared and has trained to sacrifice herself for the greater good. Once safely past Wyrm's Crossing, Reya tells the others of how she saw her beloved city of Elturel vanish. Reya was training a few miles north of Elturel when the city vanished. She watched in disbelief as the Companion’s light went out, turning black as the city appeared to crumble and sink below the horizon—a horrific image that Reya has been unable to get out of her mind. She returned to Elturel to find a crater where the city once stood, then took it upon herself to lead a group of fearful refugees west to Baldur’s Gate. Before the Flaming Fist closed the city gates, Reya and a handful of others managed to sneak inside, but they didn’t get far before a group of Flaming Fist soldiers confronted them. The refugees scattered, and Reya soon found herself cornered by a Flaming Fist thug. She wounded the soldier with her longsword, fled down an alley, and stole a cloak to better conceal her armor and weapons. She’s been a wanted fugitive ever since. Reya wants answers regarding what happened to Elturel. If it’s possible to save the city, the Hellrider is prepared to do whatever it takes to do so. As for Baldur’s Gate, she could care less what happens to it. “I hope the rats eat it,” she says scornfully. Falaster Fisk, didn't appreciate Reya's tone towards his home city and made it known to the pompous Hellrider. Falaster is a short, lean, erudite male who originally lived in Calimshan but now lives in Little Calimshan, outside of Baldur's Gate. He works for Sylvira Savikas, a renowned sage currently based in Candlekeep. When Thavius Kreeg arrived in Baldur’s Gate a few days ago, it didn’t take Falaster long to hear rumors that the Vanthampurs were sheltering him. Falaster tried to find out why and was caught. He said that he was recently rescued by a group of adventurers hired by Captain Zodge of the Flaming Fist to investigate the Vamthampur Villa. The Flaming Fist received information about the family's possible connection with Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel, who may have been in Baldur's Gate when Elturel vanished. Reya says she was investigating a rumor that Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel, is in the city. Reports say that Kreeg was seen in the company of four guards employed by the Vanthampur family. Falaster says Sylvira is convinced that Thavius Kreeg struck a bargain with an archdevil, and that quite possibly a copy of the contract he signed is hidden inside a magic puzzle box the group is carrying. It was just a day ago that the current adventuring company, known as Wink's Warriors, were tasked with safely getting the puzzle box and shield to Sylvira Savikas in Candlekeep. The adventuring company was hired by Syndra Silvane, a retired adventurer, who is now a prosperous merchant in Baldur's Gate. Syndra offered each of the adventurers a rare or uncommon magic item of their choice if they succeed in discovering who or what lay behind the disappearance of the city of Elturel and ensuring the same fate did not befall her beloved city of Baldur's Gate. Their mysterious benefactor wore a porcelain mask. Why they weren't sure and didn't press the matter. So long as Syndra was paying well, why she hid behind a mask matters little to the members of Wink's Warriors. *** As Wyrm’s Crossing and Baldur’s Gate disappear from view, the travelers find themselves heading down the Coast Way, a dirt road that leads to such distant lands as Tethyr, Amn, and Calimshan. Candlekeep lies some one hundred and fifty miles south and west—a three-day journey on horseback. Coming up the road toward them is a human farmer riding on the front of a hay-filled wagon pulled by two draft horses. The farmer gives them a friendly wave as the wagon draws near. In his hand is a long riding crop. The travelers gave enough room for the wagon to pass through but the farmer stopped and asks the travelers of news along the road. The group says the road is clear although much was happening in Baldur's Gate. The farmer then points to the shield strapped to Midgard's back. "That's a fine shield you have there, friend," the farmer says. "I am Kaddrus. I used to be an adventurer in my younger days and had a fine shield as well. Magical it was." "That's good to know, goodman farmer," Midgard says. "You best continue on. You will reach Baldur's Gate soon enough if you move on." The farmer does not move. Instead, he stands up. "I think not. I think we will take that shield from you instead." The farmer suddenly transforms into a creature the likes of which no one in the group had ever seen. His skin turns blood-red in color. Batlike wings sprouts from his back. He sprouts a long reptilian tail. Horns appear on his forehead. The riding crop becomes a sharp spear. He yells a command to two men hiding in the hay. Each man wore splint mail and was armed with a longsword, shortsword, and heavy crossbow. "Knights of the Shield, kill them all and get that shield! We must return it to the Hhune family in Baldur's Gate!" "A cambion!" Falaster yells. *** Fortunately, Mystra's favor was upon Wink's Warriors this day. For even though Falaster was slain by a wall of flames spell cast by Brimsdall who was charmed by Kaddrus into fighting as an ally, the adventurers were eventually able to defeat Kaddrus, his skilled henchmen, and Brimsdall as well. Even when Kaddrus the cambion was slain, his charmed effect on the Dragonborn sorcerer/warlock persisted. The party had no choice but to subdue Brimsdall, lest he killed his own companions with his powerful spells. After subduing Brimsdall, they healed him with magic, and was happy to know that he was no longer under the charm's effects. They then buried Falaster near the side of the Coast Way, gathered what treasure and gear they could from the fallen and continued on their journey to Candlekeep.
As the Basilisk Gate opens, Flaming Fist soldiers hold back the tide of Elturgardian refugees. The adventurers cut a path through the wretched souls, whose wails intensify as the Basilisk Gate closes behind them. The dirt road cuts through the slums of the Outer City, past the walled neighborhood of Little Calimshan, to the great span of Wyrm’s Crossing. Reya Mantlemorn, a female human Hellrider, keeps the cowl of her cloak over her head to avoid being recognized by any members of the Flaming Fist. Still a teenager, Reya was born in the land of Turmish, and came to the holy city of Elturel to train as a Hellrider when she was twelve. As a faithful follower of Torm, Reya is prepared and has trained to sacrifice herself for the greater good. Once safely past Wyrm's Crossing, Reya tells the others of how she saw her beloved city of Elturel vanish. Reya was training a few miles north of Elturel when the city vanished. She watched in disbelief as the Companion’s light went out, turning black as the city appeared to crumble and sink below the horizon—a horrific image that Reya has been unable to get out of her mind. She returned to Elturel to find a crater where the city once stood, then took it upon herself to lead a group of fearful refugees west to Baldur’s Gate. Before the Flaming Fist closed the city gates, Reya and a handful of others managed to sneak inside, but they didn’t get far before a group of Flaming Fist soldiers confronted them. The refugees scattered, and Reya soon found herself cornered by a Flaming Fist thug. She wounded the soldier with her longsword, fled down an alley, and stole a cloak to better conceal her armor and weapons. She’s been a wanted fugitive ever since. Reya wants answers regarding what happened to Elturel. If it’s possible to save the city, the Hellrider is prepared to do whatever it takes to do so. As for Baldur’s Gate, she could care less what happens to it. “I hope the rats eat it,” she says scornfully. Falaster Fisk, didn't appreciate Reya's tone towards his home city and made it known to the pompous Hellrider. Falaster is a short, lean, erudite male who originally lived in Calimshan but now lives in Little Calimshan, outside of Baldur's Gate. He works for Sylvira Savikas, a renowned sage currently based in Candlekeep. When Thavius Kreeg arrived in Baldur’s Gate a few days ago, it didn’t take Falaster long to hear rumors that the Vanthampurs were sheltering him. Falaster tried to find out why and was caught. He said that he was recently rescued by a group of adventurers hired by Captain Zodge of the Flaming Fist to investigate the Vamthampur Villa. The Flaming Fist received information about the family's possible connection with Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel, who may have been in Baldur's Gate when Elturel vanished. Reya says she was investigating a rumor that Thavius Kreeg, the high overseer of Elturel, is in the city. Reports say that Kreeg was seen in the company of four guards employed by the Vanthampur family. Falaster says Sylvira is convinced that Thavius Kreeg struck a bargain with an archdevil, and that quite possibly a copy of the contract he signed is hidden inside a magic puzzle box the group is carrying. It was just a day ago that the current adventuring company, known as Wink's Warriors, were tasked with safely getting the puzzle box and shield to Sylvira Savikas in Candlekeep. The adventuring company was hired by Syndra Silvane, a retired adventurer, who is now a prosperous merchant in Baldur's Gate. Syndra offered each of the adventurers a rare or uncommon magic item of their choice if they succeed in discovering who or what lay behind the disappearance of the city of Elturel and ensuring the same fate did not befall her beloved city of Baldur's Gate. Their mysterious benefactor wore a porcelain mask. Why they weren't sure and didn't press the matter. So long as Syndra was paying well, why she hid behind a mask matters little to the members of Wink's Warriors. *** As Wyrm’s Crossing and Baldur’s Gate disappear from view, the travelers find themselves heading down the Coast Way, a dirt road that leads to such distant lands as Tethyr, Amn, and Calimshan. Candlekeep lies some one hundred and fifty miles south and west—a three-day journey on horseback. Coming up the road toward them is a human farmer riding on the front of a hay-filled wagon pulled by two draft horses. The farmer gives them a friendly wave as the wagon draws near. In his hand is a long riding crop. The travelers gave enough room for the wagon to pass through but the farmer stopped and asks the travelers of news along the road. The group says the road is clear although much was happening in Baldur's Gate. The farmer then points to the shield strapped to Midgard's back. "That's a fine shield you have there, friend," the farmer says. "I am Kaddrus. I used to be an adventurer in my younger days and had a fine shield as well. Magical it was." "That's good to know, goodman farmer," Midgard says. "You best continue on. You will reach Baldur's Gate soon enough if you move on." The farmer does not move. Instead, he stands up. "I think not. I think we will take that shield from you instead." The farmer suddenly transforms into a creature the likes of which no one in the group had ever seen. His skin turns blood-red in color. Batlike wings sprouts from his back. He sprouts a long reptilian tail. Horns appear on his forehead. The riding crop becomes a sharp spear. He yells a command to two men hiding in the hay. Each man wore splint mail and was armed with a longsword, shortsword, and heavy crossbow. "Knights of the Shield, kill them all and get that shield! We must return it to the Hhune family in Baldur's Gate!" "A cambion!" Falaster yells. *** Fortunately, Mystra's favor was upon Wink's Warriors this day. For even though Falaster was slain by a wall of flames spell cast by Brimsdall who was charmed by Kaddrus into fighting as an ally, the adventurers were eventually able to defeat Kaddrus, his skilled henchmen, and Brimsdall as well. Even when Kaddrus the cambion was slain, his charmed effect on the Dragonborn sorcerer/warlock persisted. The party had no choice but to subdue Brimsdall, lest he killed his own companions with his powerful spells. After subduing Brimsdall, they healed him with magic, and was happy to know that he was no longer under the charm's effects. They then buried Falaster near the side of the Coast Way, gathered what treasure and gear they could from the fallen and continued on their journey to Candlekeep.
Session played on July 9, 2021
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