Cradled in a crook of the Chionthar and often swaddled in mist, Baldur’s Gate clings tight to the granite bluffs that channel the river. Trade nursed, the city grew from pirates’ port to farmers’ fort to the bustling urban center it is today.

A DC15 Intelligence (History) check will give you more information on the city's formation if you desire it.

In times of danger, those who live in the Outer City can, if they are fast enough, retreat into the city before the gates are closed. As more and more refugee's showed up after the surprise attack from within the city, the gates were closed, and have not opened since. Anyone that was not prescient enough to run into the city during the internal attack were left to defend themselves as best they could.

This wasn't as big of a concern as one might think. Even in normal circumstances, Outer City residents would rely on neighbors and friends for justice or pay for the Guild’s protection. Despite this state of affairs, the leaderless Outer City was not ripe for conquest, since the Flaming Fist would brutally quash any such attempt. Thus, even though crime and open violence were commonplace in the Outer City, people are still able to do business. The refugee's did little to improve this situation, but the closing of the gates removed the protection of the Flaming Fist as well as the more dubious protection of the Guild.

The Guild is the only thieves' guild in Baldur's Gate. A DC20 Intelligence (Social) check can give you more information on them if desired.

The Outer City sprawls without rhyme or reason, its muddy streets a tangle of shanties, forges, tanneries, dye works, slaughterhouses, stables, stockyards, paddocks, and dung heaps. Its layout and architecture are a mess of unregulated construction and styles. Many buildings are made of wood or wattle. With the coming of the refugees the situation has become far more wretched.

Crime pays well in the Outer City, where pickpockets are rampant; undercloak slavers buy, drug, and hide new “stock”; and sellers of poisons make a killing. Without the direct threat of the Guild and the Flaming Fists, gangs of ruffians have carved new territories out of the Outer City and the refugee camps. The Red Eyes and the Governors being the most relevant gangs to your small caravan.

Despite the horrific conditions that most everyone exists in, there are still some taverns that manage to operate, under the 'protection' or flat out ownership of the gangs. Most gangs have taken over the shops and houses of those who lived here, the lucky ones weren't home when their buildings became occupied.

One warehouse, owned by the Governors, has become a gambling den. Mostly dice and cards, but a couple nights out of each tenday, bloodsports reign supreme. From animal fights to humanoid pit fights, nothing is to grisly for the braying crowds. It is here that Brer enters to commune with his god. Over the next five days, Brer makes a punishing show of his prowess and of Tempus' teachings. Brer wins every match, refusing to fight with anything less than the respect and honor his opponents deserve. By the end of the tenday, Brer's name is spoken of within the Governors territory.

Jamrion rarely stays within the camps of the Outer City, instead he wanders the grasslands beyond. Scratching out a living on what remains of the wild game. When the abundant livestock of the Outer City was depleted by the refugees, they set to hunting and trapping the lands around them. Whatever game avoided the hunt, escaped the region. It won't be long before there won't be any animals within miles of the city. The lack of game is barely enough to keep Jamrion fed, let alone cover the outrageously inflated cost of arrows he paid.

Mouse is gone most nights, working his way around, trying to sort out the confusing boundaries and relationships of the Outer City denizens. His lack of social graces hampering his every move, at one point he goes so far as to draw the ire of a Governor; a man named Nimbryn Two-Teeth. While the situation never comes to blows, Mouse is certain that the low-level gang leader is making the kenku's inquiries even more difficult. Mouse has only found frustration during his investigations.

Bricet, finding it difficult to come to terms with his inner turmoil, turns to manual labor rather than making any effort to bring his gods word to the lawless surroundings. He does well for himself, showing a natural talent for using his brawn over his legal training. Perhaps he needed the distraction from his thoughts or maybe he will forsake his god, only he knows for certain, but now he has a bit more coin in his purse to pursue whichever way he decides.

Roscoe turns to the arts, busking along the muddy streets of Outer City, his one-man plays become sought after entertainment by the the locals and eventually draw the attention of the Red Eyes. It isn't long before his shows are taking place next to one of their properties where Roscoe makes a tidy profit from the crowds and the not so small investment from the gang. Roscoe thinks that he was likely used as bait to draw the crowds in as the gangs fleeced them, but if they were doing so, they were never sloppy enough for the halfling to catch them in the act. In the end, Roscoe gains quite the reputation as an entertainer, and between he and Brer, the small band of Elturans camped at the outskirts of the Outer City has grown as more refugees seek protection and solace.

The fear that underlies everything around Baldur's Gate is intensified when rumors of a particularly gruesome murder spread through the Outer City like a burning fever. The tales range in their veracity, but what is certain, is that a member of the Governors was found murdered, his body mutilated in some twisted form of an eye-for-eye punishment. The words painted in his blood along a wall, made that very clear.

Couple of skill checks for more info:
Intelligence(History) for more about the city's founding.

16:46, Today: Roscoe Porridgepot rolled 18 using 1d20+4 ((14)).

Intelligence (Social?) not sure what that is, but I'll do a straight Int check)

16:48, Today: Roscoe Porridgepot rolled 9 using 1d20+2 ((7)).


Roscoe keeps his companions informed of his doings every night as well as his suspicions about the Red Eyes.   FULL DISCLOSURE!  (assume anything in the summary concerning Roscoe is party knowledge.)

After his week of combat, even with the lesser stakes of a pit fight, Brer seems happier than only a few days before.  Still, he does seem uncomfortable with the attention that it has drawn on him.  Still, he takes each member of the group aside, slipping them a small pile of assorted coins (20 gold each including himself).  With the gift each is an admonishment, “There can be more, but don’t spend it at once and definitely don’t make a show of it.”

Bricet gets a slightly different message, “I expect  more of you.  Come, let us speak with Dara.”  He doesn’t give any hints until the three of them are able to speak in private.  “Tempus has granted me many gifts and I used them to make money.”  He pushes a heavy pouch between the other cleric and Paladin. “This is one hundred gold.  I have no need for it so I’m charging you two with it to provide for the caravan.  Obviously they need food, but healing,  protection and organization as well.  You are more capable of that than I, but remember not to let this nest egg be known of.”

OOC:  history check: 18:13, Today: Brer Vodraz rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  History.

Dara is grateful for the help and looks forward to working with Bricet on welfare of the growing encampment.

Bricet has turned, as stated to manual  labor, it helps him go in to a state of numbness.  Brer's words and actions have humbled Bricet.  He was wrong in his malaise.  There is lawfulness, there is good and truth, he just didn't think to seek it with his companions.

Brer gets this message "I was in the dark, but you have steered me to the light.  I am grateful.  My strength is renewed."

Bricet helps Dara to help the welfare of the encampment, he also prays regularly to Tyr for sending him the message of lawfulness that he needed.

Brer shrugs, “No need for poetry.  Just do Tyr’s will.”  His attention switches to Dara, “And yours as well.  There is much comfort to give.”  He leaves the two to their discussions.


Another evening, over their meal he speaks with his companions, “So.  What has anyone learned?  What is our next plan?”

"We could stay here and continue struggling to keep these refugees fed, but that seems to be a fruitless endeavor.   I think we have done what we promised to do.  All we are doing is adding more mouths to feed and our talents might be better suited trying to bring the lawless lands around Baldur's Gate back to some sense of normalcy."

"I have a problem." Mouse says hesitantly. "I need to leave this place and find someone to help me. A priest I think. I don't know who to talk to to fix it though."

“Your eye?  I’m sure there is someone in the city who could help...  Otherwise, well we don’t know what has happened anywhere else, so any other target would just be a guess.”

"No... the thing we fought is trying to make me do things." Mouse shifts his feet. "I don't think it's safe for me to be around people here."

Excuse me.   Bricet walks off to find a place of silence to pray to Tyr for guidance in regards to mouses condition.

“How is it doing that?  And what does it want you to do?”  He frowns, “If I know what to watch for...  I can keep you from doing it.”

"I don't know how. I'm not a mage or a priest. It wants me to punish people who commit crimes. I don't know how to stop it or make it go away. And I can't be here, there are too many gangs around."

Brer sighs, “Doesn’t sound too bad.  Bricet believes people who break the rules should be punished and he doesn’t seem too want to flee.  Unless, of course it wants you to do unnatural things to them that is...  Any impulses to carve strange symbols, pluck out eyes, torture...  Otherwise, this place could use someone who is willing to provide order.

Mouse stars at Brer with his one eye. "Kill them. Make an example to scare everyone else."

"And is it any 'criminal' that you have to punish with death?   Like, litterbugs?
 How about quasi-legal things?  Like panhandling or underground pit fights?"

Mouse shrugs. "There was no instruction. But I'd rather not take my chances. Or their chances."

“You still haven’t said.  How is the message conveyed?”

"I get uncontrollably angry and want to kill them."

“And how do you know it was that thing we fought?”

Mouse stares at him a moment. "I never felt this before."

The cleric grunts, “So.  It’s not like you hear them whispering in your ear or see visions of them holding your hand as you plunge a dagger in someone’s throat.  That says to me the cause is still unknown if still disturbing.  Seems like isolation isn’t going to solve your problem.  We need to find someone who can end whatever compulsion you are feeling or at least a scholar who can point us in the right direction.

He pauses, a revelation coming over his face, “Just to be thorough...  no one else is having this feeling?  I for one am not.”

"I am not having these compulsions either."

Curiouser and Curiouser.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:00, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

well guys I am just a simple hunter, but what if this because Mouse actually grabbed the statue right before it changed and it did burn your eye out and you shouted something about 1000 souls

Mouse just raises his eyebrows at that and nods.

"I want to fix this. I need to fix this. Who do I speak to or where do I go? We can't get into the city easily. Can we go somewhere else?"

“That is my point.  Can we go somewhere else that might help and isn’t inside the walls of this city.  Certainly.  Off the top of my head there is Neverwinter, Waterdeep, Candlekeep...  well the list goes on.  Here is the trouble, other than this city and Elturel we don’t know what we might find.  Even then we don’t really know what is behind the walls here so the only place we have true knowledge of is Elturel and I’m sure we can all agree that we won’t find answers to Mouses problem there.  He sighs, “So, there are two options.  We find a way into the city to get Mouse to an expert or we pick a destination and hope for the best.”

"I can probably get us access into Candlekeep.  AT least the libraries there.  But like Brer said, we don't know the situation there.  They could also have a huge refugee contingent camped outside.  I think our best bet is finding a way into the city.  Maybe one of the gangs know of a way?  There has to be a smuggling network here.  Most large cities have one."

"We can probably find someone to get us in. But that will probably also mean finding people who are breaking the law."

Well. maybe the rest of us could look into it and just not tell you about where the information came from?   If you don't know a law is being broken, then neither does this entity/voice, right?

I have thought about this. I have thought how Tyr would want me to think.  Punishing the unjust is truth, but can you judge the unjust?  There is much to much wickedness here, I has been vexing me as well.  I thought I lost my way.  I think I have now found the way back.  Yes, my words are many and deep, but I know we must leave this place.  We must help you my friend.  For justice and truth.

Mouse looks at Roscoe as he says,"This is all still new so I don't know. I don't think the crime is important, I think I would be forced to kill them whatever they did. I... don't know if it's seeing it or knowing they did it."

Brer shrugs at Bricet’s speech before continuing with Mouse, “Mouse...  Who defines the laws that you feel compelled to kill for?  Also,  if killing is murder and murder is illegal how do you feel about yourself becoming a murderer?”

"I don't know who defines them and I feel awful about it, that's why I want to get this fixed."

“Of course you do.  I mean, more your compulsion.  It’s ok with you being a murderer it seems?”

Mouse shrugs, "I guess?"

Brer shrugs, “Just trying to find the limits.”

Sighing as he rubs his temples, “So...  Here is what I see.  We need to find a permanent solution to Mouse Squeaks problem and soon.  Obviously there are long shots like heading back to the village and fighting our way into a hell to defeat whatever has done this to our companions and thusly free him from his compulsions. Bold and honorable no doubt, and it would definitely bring honor to Tempus even if he does favor causes that aren’t completely lost,  but... He shrugs, “That leaves finding a way into the city or finding a way to another city like candlekeep.  The problem with another city is we might travel for days or weeks only to find ourselves in the same situation, stuck outside in a refugee camp.  The way I see it I am all for the Devil I know.  So, that makes me wonder at how to get into the city and I can think of a few ways.”

He dips a finger into the leavings on his plate to draw a crude representation of the city and its surroundings.  Stabbing at it like a general would a map of a battlefield he continues, “No city is impervious and we may as well consider this one under siege.  They will soon run short of food unless they can secure a way to bring it in through the camp and even then you must ask where will any food come from.  The safest would be by ship.  We could do just that, see if we can find a ship traveling to the city and pay to be brought in as passengers. The merits of this are that we enter legally but the flaw is we have to find a ship which could be difficult.  Second, the city must have a sewer and, while the entrances are likely barred and even guarded, we could find one and make our way in.  Free, but possibly dangerous and it would definitely end with us being...  ripe.  We could just jump the line some night and pay off the guards or play off of our skills.  He shrugs, “Likely they will just send us off even for exorbitant sums.  In a similar vein we could try to pay one of the gangs to get us in though Mouse might have issue with their methods.  Last, well we join the Fists.  I know my way around mercenaries I could give the rest of you some tips to make you palatable.  I don’t know which option is best,  but that is as I see it.”

"I know some people out here are whispering that guards come out in the middle of the night and take some people inside the walls. It seems a little unlikely. Maybe the Red Eyes are sneaking people across dressed as guards?"

Brer smiles, “If I was in charge of the defense of the city I would create a way to get useful people inside the walls... I would also probably have pressure from my lords to find a way to let useless people in too. And, if I was at the gate I would probably find a way to line my pockets and sneak one or two in as well.  Long story short, I am certain people cross the walls quite regularly.”

I think Brer has it right, now we just need to find the right guards.

"Alright, I will leave that to you all. I probably shouldn't talk to guards who take bribes."

So perhaps we should reach out to the gangs?  If anyone will know which guards are bribable, it will be them.  I did my street performances next to a Red Eyes hangout, but didn't really make any usable connections.   Anyone have contacts with the Governors?

Mouse shakes his head. "I know where they operate."

then show us the way, Roscoe would you speak with them, I will back you up.

If I understand correctly, the goal is to gain access into Baldur's Gate. The plan is to contact the various gangs to try and get smuggled in or to bribe your way in.

If the above is correct, the following abilities will be useful:

1. Mercenary Life - Good for locating possible mercenary contacts within the Outer City that work for the gangs or have worked for them.
   
2. Rogue - Just being a rogue goes a long way towards knowing the right etiquette of the streets and underground activities. Clears many possible roadblocks that may trip up less streetwise folks.
   
3. Spells - Spells that buff allies, misdirect targets, or acquire information are always helpful.
   
4. Thieves' Cant - The right language for the right discussion.
   
5. Expert Forgery - Can't get valid papers, perhaps make your own.

Being Proficient in these skills will also help:

1. Deception - For all of your lying needs.
   
2. Insight - For inspiration and guidance through intuition.
   
3. Intimidation - Sometimes you just need to bully your way through things.
   
4. Investigation - Taking the time to learn about your targets is always helpful. Nothing like a good stakeout to gain intelligence.
   
5. Performance - Perhaps you want to pretend you're someone else for a bit.
   
6. Persuasion - C'mon, help a brother out, you know you want to.
   
7. Sleight of Hand - A little pickpocketing may prove useful if you know what you're looking for.
   
8. Stealth - Being the sneaky will serve you well under the right circumstances.
   
9. Tool (Gaming set) - Games of chance may open doors or provide opportunities that more direct methods might not.
   
10. Tool (Thieves Tools) - Breaking and entering or disarming possible traps may prove to be needed.

“I took my communion at a place controlled by the Governors...  They know me, but I feel no connection to them.  As I said before, I can help with the guards, maybe, but I’m not one to deal with brigands except for with a few feet of steel.”

I see nothing but lawlessness in all of this.  Tyr would not approve.  Again I am conflicted.  You ask me to go against my very beliefs.  I will be damned for this.  Yet, Mouse is a true friend and to get to true order and law I will do my best to fulfill the will of the party.   

Bricet then goes off to commune with Tyr clearly and odds with himself.

The cleric shakes his head at the back of the retreating Paladin, “Even though he cries like a child, Bricet does make a point.  Why are we stopping to deal with brigands when we could easily go to the Fists without any middleman.  Perhaps we could even convince them that we are an asset to the city.”

"Ok.   Let's not split the party over this.   Let us deal with the guards directly and offer our services to the Fists in exchange for access to the city to heal Mouse."

The group will go to the gates of the city and try to find guards who will relay a message to the Flaming Fists (if the guards are not Fists themselves).  We are looking for access to the city in exchange for our services working for the Fists in some capacity.
<if everyone is in agreement for this, sounds like it from the Discord thread>

On that note, Roscoe, Brer and Jamrion head to the gates while Mouse stays back at the refugee to avoid any temptation and Bricet sits in his tent, rocking back and forth talking to Tyr.

Moving the gate crew to a different thread