After the races had ended and the financial benefits were taken in, Shay busied herself searching the city for something she termed a “pocket dragon.” None in the group had heard of this before, but since she was determined, they knew better than to speak against it. She managed to secure a contract with a purveyor of such things, content to wait out the weeks she was assured it would take to secure her new companion.
That evening, Ontharr and Leosin discussed their understanding of developments with the Cult of the Dragon. Leosin had received word that his spy left behind with the cultist carvan, Carlon Amofel, had sent word to tell that the cultists suddenly changed course, abandoning the Trade Way with a group of their wagons. Apparently the wagon masters were nervous about Leosin tracking them, and still intent on eluding any Harper intrusions. Carlon said a group of the wagons was headed for Baldur’s Gate in order to embed themselves in a larger caravan to remain anonymous. The smaller group continued north on the Trade Way, hoping to avoid notice due to their smaller size.
At this point Ontharr proposed the adventurer should be the ones to track the larger group of cultists from Baldur’s Gate. Established members of the Order of the Gauntlet or the Harpers would be too easily spotted by the cultists, who seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere. In the peace of the past decade, their organizations had grown soft and there was now no mechanism for dealing with the rise of the Cult of the Dragon. Still, they needed to know what the intent of the raids across the Sword Coast truly was. There were still important, unanswered questions about why the Cult reference the “great queen” so frequently and whether they had some plan in place to actually channel some of Tiamat’s power, which would be extremely dangerous to all in the land.
Ontharr developed a contact for the party to work with by building a business relationship with Edmor Downmere. The Downmere family, who ran the Elturel Grand Races, had seen so much success with their business venture that they were looking to expand to other cities. Several entrepreneurs from established families in Baldur’s Gate, Waterdeep and Neverwinter had expressed interest in operating franchise establishments of the Downmere Racing League. Ontharr seized upon this opportunity to offer the adventurers’ services as emmisaries of the Downmere Racing League, set to protect and deliver franchise contracts to the interested parties. Frume felt this would be an appropriate cover for the group, able to keep the cultists’ prying eyes searching elsewhere for threats.
Rilos readily accepted this cover, as did the rest of the team, but Ontharr told them it would require everyone to leave first thing the following morning. Shay took exception to this plan, as she needed to remain in Elturel in order to secure her new companion. Upon hearing of this deal, Frume interjected himself, imposing on Shay to promise that she would leave in the morning as agreed upon and in return he would “take care of things.” Shay reluctantly agreed.
Their cover story agreed upon and contracts in hand, Ontharr Frume woke our heroes early in the morning to resolve the trade for which Shay had promised payment. Frume had worked through the night to expedite the delivery of the silver draq. The details of this were left to the murkiness of their imagination, but the draq was delivered at the transaction completed.
Ontharr had also procured passage on a ferry boat traveling down the river Chionthar to Baldur’s Gate. By Leosin’s estimation, this should place the group in the caravan hub ahead of the cultists who had split off from their comrades on the trade way. The ferrymaster had reservations about transporting horses, though, and didn’t want to accommodate the party’s equine companions. It took a steep price of 500gp per horse to convince the man it was worth his efforts, something that the party took heavy offense to. Ontharr wisely walked away, unwilling to engage in these negotiations.
Baldur’s Gate was a dangerous and corrupt place. The ferrymaster knew that bringing his fare to the city’s docks directly would not bode well for the safety of any of them. The city watch took their tolls and fees very seriously. So, he deposited the group outside the sprawling outer city at a bustling local port where most of his profession would end their journeys. Our heroes were left to approach on the main road.
The city could be profitable enough, and the many travelers who passed through found safety in ignorance. Looking too deep beneath the surface would inevitably lead to conflict. Even avoiding too close an inspection, the innocent could occasionally get caught in the collateral damage from the evil deeds of others. Our heroes were not exempt.
Ubis Garynmor who ran the Garynmor Stables and Menagerie had made some poor choices. In his chase for more exotic and wild animals to add to his collection, he found himself in possession of a bulette. Without suitable facilities to contain or train it, Ubis inevitably lost control of the creature who only broke free just as the party approached. Our heroes were significant in the eyes of the general populace. Not for the sake of their fame but for the imposing stature of obvious adventurers wearing the plunders of their accomplishments. Ubis noticed them in his panick and rushed out, thrusting a rare wild-heart charm toward Shay. Perhaps the paladin herself - or perhaps Lo Risten within - recognized the charm immediately and with excitement, accepting his request with very little consideration.
"Please help! The bulette... it is deadly. It just escaped. Please, the others are trying to break out too, and they will get hurt. I can't chase Charlotte right now, but she's going to hurt or kill someone, I just know it... And then they will put her down. I might be able to handle that, but they'll shut me down too. Please... stop her before she does something rash. You can use this to charm her, just bring her back. Kill her if you have to, but this should let you charm her."
The beast was easy to track, carving a trail of desperate destruction as it tore through the outer city, desperate to escape the urban confines. Shay swiftly caught up to it, using the charm to perform its eponymous action. The bulette, adrenaline surging through its body, was stunned by the spell, its panic translated immediately into blind trust and loyalty. It stopped mid-stride, turning its watery, shark-like eyes toward the paladin expectantly.
After the group effortlessly retrieved the bulette and returned it to a grateful Ubis, he wisely discerned that it would be best for him to leave the wild-heart charm in Shay’s possession as payment for their assistance.
Moments later, our heroes faced fresh annoyance as they stood in line to pay a trifling toll. The guard at the gate insisted they would not be allowed to bring their horses through the city, being required instead to pay a 50gp fee to have porters lead the beasts to their destination if they intended to leave the city in a different direction. Rolling their eyes collectively and metaphorically, but acquiescing to the levies, the party passed into the Lower City.
As our heroes made their way through the city their noses were assaulted by a heinous stench before they began to hear the sounds of shouting over distant crashes and rumbles. Passers-by began to look less hurried and focused, changing over to panicked and worried instead. A few more block forward brought them to the sight of an entire building collapsed across their path.
As they easily picked their way through the rubble to continue toward their destination, our heroes eyed a northward path of destruction including a string of decimated buildings with sewer sludge pouring freely into the open streets. In the distance they could see a person directing a massive Shambling Mound in battle against the city watch. Even from the distance they could see the watchmen were losing the fight badly as they rushed to escort fleeing citizens away from the destruction.
The adventurers sprang into action, rushing up the street to help the struggling guards. Seeing their imposing figures approaching, the druid, Ceilac Leafbloom, entered his Shambling Mound pet and tore a corner of stone from a nearby building. This he hurled into a small group of guards, smashing them to the ground.
Tross and Unka sprinted forward, slashing the walking plant with their weapons, then Shay joined as well. Seraphina was a whirlwind of blades, cutting and slicing through the vines while Rilos threw firebolts. The monstrosity swung at Shay and the paladin stood fast, converting some of the damage into health for her wounds.
The blind rage of the druid knew not how to relent, driving his attack forward as the heroes hacked and slashed it to pieces. Rilos experimented with an orb of lightning that, unfortunately, healed the creation, however it was only a few moments before the Shambling Mound was rent into a pile of shredded vines and foliage upon which the body of the angry druid fell, never to rise again.
Though even the city watch was baffled at this bizarre attack, they expressed great gratitude for the adventurers’ timely intervention. This thanks was embellished by the discovery of the Key to the Undergrowth still clutched in Ceilac’s hand. Rilos would make good use of this wondrous trinket.
Despite their unpaid service to the city, the group soon found themselves waiting at yet another gate to pay a toll for admission into the upper city where Rilos soon delivered the franchise contracts to the family he’d been directed toward. The party debated whether to follow Ontharr’s suggestion to connect with the spy Ackyn Selebon, choosing instead to head directly to the city’s northern gate.
As they approached the Black Dragon Gate, known for the enormous sculpture of a black dragon head which loomed over its entrance, they appreciated what calm weather the day had offered. Though the sky was dreary, none of the rain which it seemed to foretell had come, leaving the air pleasant and crisp under the dark clouds. The only break in the calmness was an ominous black figure in the distance, which, as they watched, seemed to sweep back and forth on the horizon like some great bird. But then, as they prepared to pass through the gate, it became clear the figure was actually approaching rapidly. It began to take shape, making onlookers realize it was actually a black dragon.
The line of people moved forward uncertainly for a few moments, jolting forward with indecision until the horrible realization of the dragon’s intent settled in. Nervous merchants and peasants began to scatter from the courtyard just as the dragon, with its black dragonborn rider swooped suddenly out of the sky and settled with a crashing finality into the center of the area. The Watch, formerly occupied with the collection of gate passage fees, reacted swiftly and rushed to meet the beast.
The rider leveled a massive and imposing pitch-black greataxe toward the seven approaching guards before moving to point at the stone dragon head.
“You will mock Kralgun no longer!” Kralha, the female dragonborn, screamed and leapt from the back of the young black dragon. Immediately the dragon, Krine, blasted the guards with a roaring gasp of acid breath, staggering their numbers and inducing cries of pain.
Our heroes were never easily intimidated, and rushed into the fray. Though dragons are formidable opponents, their blows are furious and fortunate, coming in quick succession to see Kralha fall beneath the edge of their raw justice before the upstart warrior could even react. The young black dragon, seeing her sister fall, succumbed to lethal battle rage, tearing into our heroes with reckless abandon. Alas, her fury was not enough and the immortalized severed head of her father Kralgun remained untouched even after the black dragon fell. Unka gladly retrieved the black greataxe, Final Bite, as replacement for her own and the guards once more expressed gratitude for such timely intervention.
That evening, Ontharr and Leosin discussed their understanding of developments with the Cult of the Dragon. Leosin had received word that his spy left behind with the cultist carvan, Carlon Amofel, had sent word to tell that the cultists suddenly changed course, abandoning the Trade Way with a group of their wagons. Apparently the wagon masters were nervous about Leosin tracking them, and still intent on eluding any Harper intrusions. Carlon said a group of the wagons was headed for Baldur’s Gate in order to embed themselves in a larger caravan to remain anonymous. The smaller group continued north on the Trade Way, hoping to avoid notice due to their smaller size.
At this point Ontharr proposed the adventurer should be the ones to track the larger group of cultists from Baldur’s Gate. Established members of the Order of the Gauntlet or the Harpers would be too easily spotted by the cultists, who seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere. In the peace of the past decade, their organizations had grown soft and there was now no mechanism for dealing with the rise of the Cult of the Dragon. Still, they needed to know what the intent of the raids across the Sword Coast truly was. There were still important, unanswered questions about why the Cult reference the “great queen” so frequently and whether they had some plan in place to actually channel some of Tiamat’s power, which would be extremely dangerous to all in the land.
Ontharr developed a contact for the party to work with by building a business relationship with Edmor Downmere. The Downmere family, who ran the Elturel Grand Races, had seen so much success with their business venture that they were looking to expand to other cities. Several entrepreneurs from established families in Baldur’s Gate, Waterdeep and Neverwinter had expressed interest in operating franchise establishments of the Downmere Racing League. Ontharr seized upon this opportunity to offer the adventurers’ services as emmisaries of the Downmere Racing League, set to protect and deliver franchise contracts to the interested parties. Frume felt this would be an appropriate cover for the group, able to keep the cultists’ prying eyes searching elsewhere for threats.
Rilos readily accepted this cover, as did the rest of the team, but Ontharr told them it would require everyone to leave first thing the following morning. Shay took exception to this plan, as she needed to remain in Elturel in order to secure her new companion. Upon hearing of this deal, Frume interjected himself, imposing on Shay to promise that she would leave in the morning as agreed upon and in return he would “take care of things.” Shay reluctantly agreed.
Ontharr had also procured passage on a ferry boat traveling down the river Chionthar to Baldur’s Gate. By Leosin’s estimation, this should place the group in the caravan hub ahead of the cultists who had split off from their comrades on the trade way. The ferrymaster had reservations about transporting horses, though, and didn’t want to accommodate the party’s equine companions. It took a steep price of 500gp per horse to convince the man it was worth his efforts, something that the party took heavy offense to. Ontharr wisely walked away, unwilling to engage in these negotiations.
Baldur’s Gate was a dangerous and corrupt place. The ferrymaster knew that bringing his fare to the city’s docks directly would not bode well for the safety of any of them. The city watch took their tolls and fees very seriously. So, he deposited the group outside the sprawling outer city at a bustling local port where most of his profession would end their journeys. Our heroes were left to approach on the main road.
The city could be profitable enough, and the many travelers who passed through found safety in ignorance. Looking too deep beneath the surface would inevitably lead to conflict. Even avoiding too close an inspection, the innocent could occasionally get caught in the collateral damage from the evil deeds of others. Our heroes were not exempt.
The beast was easy to track, carving a trail of desperate destruction as it tore through the outer city, desperate to escape the urban confines. Shay swiftly caught up to it, using the charm to perform its eponymous action. The bulette, adrenaline surging through its body, was stunned by the spell, its panic translated immediately into blind trust and loyalty. It stopped mid-stride, turning its watery, shark-like eyes toward the paladin expectantly.
After the group effortlessly retrieved the bulette and returned it to a grateful Ubis, he wisely discerned that it would be best for him to leave the wild-heart charm in Shay’s possession as payment for their assistance.
Moments later, our heroes faced fresh annoyance as they stood in line to pay a trifling toll. The guard at the gate insisted they would not be allowed to bring their horses through the city, being required instead to pay a 50gp fee to have porters lead the beasts to their destination if they intended to leave the city in a different direction. Rolling their eyes collectively and metaphorically, but acquiescing to the levies, the party passed into the Lower City.
As our heroes made their way through the city their noses were assaulted by a heinous stench before they began to hear the sounds of shouting over distant crashes and rumbles. Passers-by began to look less hurried and focused, changing over to panicked and worried instead. A few more block forward brought them to the sight of an entire building collapsed across their path.
The adventurers sprang into action, rushing up the street to help the struggling guards. Seeing their imposing figures approaching, the druid, Ceilac Leafbloom, entered his Shambling Mound pet and tore a corner of stone from a nearby building. This he hurled into a small group of guards, smashing them to the ground.
Tross and Unka sprinted forward, slashing the walking plant with their weapons, then Shay joined as well. Seraphina was a whirlwind of blades, cutting and slicing through the vines while Rilos threw firebolts. The monstrosity swung at Shay and the paladin stood fast, converting some of the damage into health for her wounds.
The blind rage of the druid knew not how to relent, driving his attack forward as the heroes hacked and slashed it to pieces. Rilos experimented with an orb of lightning that, unfortunately, healed the creation, however it was only a few moments before the Shambling Mound was rent into a pile of shredded vines and foliage upon which the body of the angry druid fell, never to rise again.
Despite their unpaid service to the city, the group soon found themselves waiting at yet another gate to pay a toll for admission into the upper city where Rilos soon delivered the franchise contracts to the family he’d been directed toward. The party debated whether to follow Ontharr’s suggestion to connect with the spy Ackyn Selebon, choosing instead to head directly to the city’s northern gate.
As they approached the Black Dragon Gate, known for the enormous sculpture of a black dragon head which loomed over its entrance, they appreciated what calm weather the day had offered. Though the sky was dreary, none of the rain which it seemed to foretell had come, leaving the air pleasant and crisp under the dark clouds. The only break in the calmness was an ominous black figure in the distance, which, as they watched, seemed to sweep back and forth on the horizon like some great bird. But then, as they prepared to pass through the gate, it became clear the figure was actually approaching rapidly. It began to take shape, making onlookers realize it was actually a black dragon.
The line of people moved forward uncertainly for a few moments, jolting forward with indecision until the horrible realization of the dragon’s intent settled in. Nervous merchants and peasants began to scatter from the courtyard just as the dragon, with its black dragonborn rider swooped suddenly out of the sky and settled with a crashing finality into the center of the area. The Watch, formerly occupied with the collection of gate passage fees, reacted swiftly and rushed to meet the beast.
The rider leveled a massive and imposing pitch-black greataxe toward the seven approaching guards before moving to point at the stone dragon head.
“You will mock Kralgun no longer!” Kralha, the female dragonborn, screamed and leapt from the back of the young black dragon. Immediately the dragon, Krine, blasted the guards with a roaring gasp of acid breath, staggering their numbers and inducing cries of pain.
