"Well, Einar. You could solve half that problem by buying a shirt!"

"Why would I want to do that, and even then it wouldn't change much since my combat style is so different."

Hope couldn't help but smile at Einar, shaking her head. "Lets just get moving boys - i don't want those dragon bastards getting ahead of us." She looks at Saphira with a tilted head. "...you comming?'

Baulder's Gate

Baulder's Gate is a bustling center of trade; with goods coming comeing from north and south by way of wagon along the Trade Way and by ship on the Sea of Serpents, and east along the river Chionthar and From Cormyr and Symbia.

Baulder's Gate is situated on a prominent bluff next to the river, overlooking an excellent natural harbor. The city is divided into three distinct segments: the Upper city where the richest and most influential citizens live and where the city's marketplace The Wide is located, the lower city which surrounds the harbor and where most of the city's merchants live and conduct their business, and then there is the outer City, which lies outside the walls and is where most of the city's laborers reside in conditions that vary from crowded but clean to squalid.

Baulder's Gate doesn't allow wagons, pack animals, horses, or even dogs into the city. The streets are too narrow, steep, and slick from frequent rain that heavy wagons would be a menace. This is actually one of the reasons Baulder's Gate is such a bustling commercial hub; for goods to pass through the city from south to north, for example, they must be be unloaded in the outer city east of the wall and carried through the city by porters on foot, and reloaded north of the city onto different wagons for the rest of their journey. Most merchants find it easier to just unload their wares at the gate to waiting merchants and stock up on new and exotic goods there and return home than to try and pay the hauling costs through the city.

The journey to Baulder's gate took only two days by river boat. and upon arrival there is no sight of the cult or their caravan. Leosin's contact Ackyn Selebon operates an equipage business in the outer city north of the city wall, in a district called the Blackgate; there he sells all the materials needed for long distance freight hauling, wagons, ropes, netting, grease, chains, wheels, and so on. His shop also repairs wagons, and while not directly involved in the hiring of guards for the caravans he has offered the group two contacts that might be interested in hiring them, and a place to stay and observe the traffic coming through the town, if the group is at least willing to pitch in with the labor while they are there.

The first potential contact is Jack "The Jackel" Bermon; a male human, who makes the journey north often, his reputation is that of a good man but not very wealthy and will likely be unable to pay well, but he is a friend of Ackyn and a possible candidate.

The other option is another of Ackyn's friends Edhelri Lewel, a female Moon Elf, who can be somewhat impatient with people, and a bit of a perfectionist, but her trade is a lucrative one and she would be more likely to pay a decent wage.

Einar stretches and rolls his shoulders a bit as he steps off the river boat with a light yawn, being on a boat for two days had been quite dreadful. Not because of any reason other than he had nothing to do on a dang boat. Turning to look at his current traveling companions with a smile, "So my fair friends what should we see to first. Some meetings, or find a place to stay and maybe a quick bite to eat after all I can only eat so much hard tack."

Hope stepped off the boat after Einar, equally happy to be off the boat.  She was ill used to being confined to a single space for too long, and this showed when she started playing with her blades on the end of the first day.

She looked around and smiled, the bustle of the streets something she was used to. She looked at the man and nodded. "Lets find a place to stay and a meal.....we can go from there."

The newest member of the group had spent the trip mostly helping the crew in whatever task was needed, taking the reminder of her time in prayers when she was not sleeping. When asked, she answered that she was praying for the souls of the victims of the dragon cultists, and that her red cloak was a tribute to them. Although quite social, there was a feeling of an hard edge to the woman, that she was keeping honed.

When the group arrived in Baldur's gate, she stretched with an obvious delight, before taking her heavy bag and what seemed her main weapon, a staff fitted with blades at both ends. "Resting does sound good, but lets not forget our goal, to see the dragon cultists arrive and intercept them before they can spread their filth. So those two options to subtly monitor the gates are to be explored. I won't mind hard work, so either will be fine for me. "

Korym was obviously quite taken with his first trip on a vessel larger than a rowboat. Unlike the others, he would have happily continued for many more days. But this was not a pleasure cruise.

"I think an inn would be a good idea, Einar, We can decide whether to seek employment with Jack Bermonor or Edhelri Lewel, over dinner, spend the night and approach them in the morning.

If Ackyn is right, they will offer us lodging as part of being a guard."

The elf runs his hand through his now-short hair. "Which way to an inn?"

---

Assuming that the group had already spoken to Ackyn Selebon and that it is now evening.

Hope looked at the eager Saphira. "They had a head start on us by a few days - one more will do no difference." She shouldered her pack. "...besides, there are some people other than Jack Bermonor or Edhelri Lewel that i'd like to talk to....may give us some insight"

With the decision to seek an inn decided; the group sets out. In the, beyond crowded, city of Baulder's Gate it doesn't take long to find a places to stay, with two options standing out above the rest.

The Thirteenth Net Inn and Tavern is within walking distance of Ackyn's business and has two rooms available for the reasonable price of five silver pieces per night, but if you want a meal the price increases to five silver and six copper, the meal being a warm bowl of pidgeon stew, and potatoes.

There is also the Golden Feather Inn further down the same road as the Thirteenth Net but one would have to walk for half an hour to get to Ackyn's business. This inn however has enough rooms for everyone such that no one would need to double up, but it also costs more costing four gold per night, and offers a luxurious breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet included in the cost per night.


o.o.c. Sorry for the delay everyone, the Thanksgiving holiday and work took up much of my time recently.

Korym looks at the others, hopefully, "We are likely here for only a night or two, shall we splurge?"

Hope looked at Korym and shrugged. "One inn is as good as another - as long as i get a warm bed and a meal, i survive." She looked at the others. "Before we settle for the night, i want to look around....call it a professional courtesy between those of the less-than-honorable trade - i don't want to step on any toes here."

---

<OOC: My plan is to settle, then look for agents of the local thieves guild - subtlety.

'Hope' rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  investigation check.>
This message was last edited by the player at 10:53, Fri 02 Dec 2022.

The warrior shrugged at the sorcerer's suggestion, then nodded to Hope. The venue is not important to me, same as Hope, as long as I can get rest. While you go ply your trade, I will find the temple, maybe they will have heard something about the cult.


<OOC>Saphira will try to find a temple of Tyr, to pay her respects and get information.

The Golden Feather Inn is beyond luxurious bordering on the ludicrous. Inside the floors are made from dark exotic wood foreign to the sword cost. Extravagant paintings, murals, and tapestries line the walls. The main common area is furnished with benches and chairs one would expect from a pleasure palace, while hanging from the ceiling are large extravagant chandeliers with dancing lights cast upon them.

Behind the main desk an impeccably dressed gnome with a greased mustache flared out into needle like points greets you as you enter. "Greetings and welcome to the Golden Feather Inn; the greatest inn on the whole of the Sword Coast. May I ask how many nights you are expecting to stay with us?" He asks as several halfling servants in suit and tie step out from a side room to take your baggage.

Korym smiles brightly at the gnome and halfling. Mostly because he finds them to be ridiculous! Nonetheless, he answers courteously, "Four rooms, one night for certain, perhaps two if our business takes longer."

The elf counts out the 16 gold and hands it to the gnome.

The gnome takes the gold biting one of them before motioning to the halflings. "Very good! I will have your luggage taken to your rooms." He says handing over four copper skeleton keys with a glowing red rune upon them; the attending halflings ready to take the baggage.

"Breakfast is no longer being served, but lunch will be at noon, and dinner at sundown. The buffet will be served in our main dining hall." He says motioning to a set of double doors to his right across the main lobby. "And if there is anything else I can do to make your stay in Baulder's Gate more enjoyable please don't hesitate to ask."

O.O.C.
I don't mind roleplaying your stay in a hotel, but I will move the story along slightly unless there is something you all want done. I am currently running a side adventure with Hope and Saphira, so if there are side things you wish to accomplish in BG let me know.

Einar just nods as they splurge a bit on a nice room after he gets the info on food he moves to go to his room carrying his own gear of course. For his part he basically waits on everyone else to get done with their things just taking meals as they are available.

That night, back at the Golden Feather, the group once more comes together sitting down for dinner in the dining hall. The buffet is truly a grand one worth every gold piece, with roasted boar, chicken, turkey, and exotic delicacies such as steamed cloaker and deviled owlbear eggs, not to mention every kind of vegetable and fruit one can imagine.

o.o.c. sorry fell asleep after work, but had to wake up in the middle of the night, and when I did I remembered I needed to post lol.

Korym makes a point of trying at least of taste of almost everything that is served!

In between bites he relays his findings at the library.

"I spent the day at the library, researching the Cult of the Dragon. The cultists we interrogated told us that the Cult is no longer looking to raise undead dragons, rather they are planning on calling Tiamat to Faerun! And they need a hoard of treasure to do so.

I was looking for any information that might relate to current theories on the Cult's plans and how they might accomplish their task. There was scant information to be found, but I did find some points of interest.

First, the cult were allying themselves with the Red Wizards. If you recall Felosiel, whom we battled at the Greenest mill, she is proof that this alliance is likely in place.

Second, I came across something in a tome written by a Red Wizard," Korym pulls out his journal and recites,

"...there is also a set of items known as the Dragons Masks, a set of five masks, one for each colour of chromatic dragon, purported to be forged from the souls of thousands of chromatic dragons of all colours, all of whom were the consorts of the Dragon Queen Herself, and each imbued with a piece of the Queen's essence. It is said that those who wear these masks will then think like dragons, and be able to subtly influence them, gaining favour among them as if they were the chosen of their queen."

Closing his journal, the wizard adds, "I could find little else on the masks, but if they truly contain a fragment of Tiamat, then they could indeed be used in a summoning ritual. But it would still take unfathomable power to complete such a ritual."

Saphira listened to the wizard's report, tapping her lips with a finger.  Once he was done, she gave her much shorter resume. "I went to the temple of Tyr. The unsual occurances are getting old, about a month ago a man recruited in the slums for the cult. And there was a string of robberies in the higher class sectors.

Maybe those robberies are linked to the dragon hoard? It could be possible. Someone might know something about those here too. "

The paladin barely indulged in the wealth of offerings, keeping her meal and drink frugal.

Einar munchs away at the many dishes present on the table listening to those with more skills and plans thoughts. "Seems like quite a few leads but we should be able to narrow it down once we meet one of our friends tomorrow and maybe get this moving in a direction." He grins a bit as he leans back taking a quick drink of his mead.

Hope had returned with a serious look well after the others. The news she got caused her to be cautious, and when she returned, sat down with a sigh. "Sorry i'm late -  things were a bit more complicated than i had hoped." She waved the bartender for a drink, then looked at the otehrs.

"My usual contacts from when i last lived here told me no movement has come through - but some old debts are haunting me a bit....one personal one in particular. Back in the day i was a bit reckless and one of my friends took the blame - he may still hold a grudge." She shrugged as she took a sip of ale. "Live in the big city - never boring." She muttered

The next morning at the Golden Feather while the group is eating breakfast a dwarven man stomps into the dining hall shoving past the protesting maître d, with little more than a grunt. He is an older and gruff looking dwarf who has obviously labored hard throughout his life; he wears a set of overalls and a once white shirt that has been stained many times by many different drinks it seems. His gaze is intent upon Hope as he stomps to the group's table.

Once there he looks about the group, "Name's Axebreaker." He says before turning his attention back to Hope. "You wanted to know about Dragon worshipers moving through town? Well, They're here. A huge group just riled up every two-bit informant in this city. Word is a large caravan just arrived to the south, it's goods are being loaded up on couriers now, and they're destined for the north gate. There is also some big shot with them being carried in a palanquin." He says looking about the group again and refocusing on Hope.

Hope looked at the dwarf and frowned, nodding to the man, she pulled out a gold coin and flipped it to him. "Thanks....my advice is to stay away from them - they snatched up a small village a way back - mean bastards."

When she finished, she looked at the others. "We gotta be smart here - they see us and they will know we're coming. Odds are they hired local help too, and i'm a bit well known here." She frowned as she took a drink. "Maybe you can look around there during the day - i can go at night where the darkness can hide me."

"What do you think? Do we ask Ackyn's friends, Jack or Edhelri to hire us as guards for their caravans to give us some anonymity?

Or do we follow them on our own?"

The elf twirls his newly shorn and lightened hair, "Do you think our appearances are changed enough to not be recognised?

I think I favour joining up with another caravan and blending in with a larger group just in case."