Session 2: Dens of Vice

Characters involved:

• Bezelder, halfling rogue.
• Djarek Talborn, half-elf cleric of Sune.
• Tredek, half-orc barbarian.
• Ulther Stormwind, human fighter.

The PCs spent the night in the austere barracks of the Flaming Fist, in Wyrm's Rock, but it wasn't a pleasant one. Blood-soaked dreams troubled, forcing them to relive the slaughter in the Wide and the death of Duke Abdel. This time, the creature that the assassin became killed more people. So troubled was Primeiro d'Pirazzi and Shrain that they got no rest at all. Feverish, they remained in their quarters for the first part of the day.

Meanwhile, a Flaming Fist gauntlet (corporal) named Wallen was assigned to rouse the heroes in the dark hours of the morning. With him was a halfling named Zelder, who had earned the respect of the Fist and sought to employ them. Ulder Ravengard thereofore had asked if Zelder would accompany the other PCs on the two tasks he had asked them to perform: the shutting down of two gambling dens and the arrest of their respective proprietors—Ibiz of the Oasis and Laraelra Thundresh of the Low Lantern. This was to be step one of Ravengard's crusade against the insidious Guild.

These dens were alleged establishments of ill repute and Ravengard wanted them closed. He gave them writs of closure, a small band of fists (privates) led by Gauntlet Wallen, and asked that they secure the proprietors of both the Low Lantern and the Oasis. In addition, the heroes were each given a silver brooch shaped to resemble fists in flame; they would have only to present the brooches at either Wyrm's Rock or the Seatower of Balduran—both bastions of the Fist—to gain admittance. Tredek asked for and received a pair of clubs, in case the group faced resistance, in lieu of using his deadlier weapons.

With dawn not yet come, they marched out through the destitute road leading through the Outer City toward the first vice den: The Oasis. Situated inside the walled district of Little Calimshan, they found it to be a dingy bungalow from the outside with an incense-permeated, dimly-lit, cushion-filled interior. The Flaming Fist soldiers waited outside, while the PCs went in. The proprietor, Ibiz, an overweight Calishite with a stylish goatee and mustache and too much pale makeup, greeted them and offered them cushioned seats and tea. When they told them why they were there, he produced a pouch of coins and other valuables. Seeming nervous, Ibiz finally blurted, "Ah, I forgot my tenday fees. If you would please deliver this to your superior, I would be most grateful." The PCs persisted—in particular, Tredek and Ulther—and showed him the writ of closure. After stalling and trying to disbelieve what was happening, he finally deflated, asking them to give him a few moments "to collect my life befor eyou throw me onto the street." Meanwhile, the halfling Zelder took advantage of the scene and ate freely from the many plates of fruit and nuts and the glasses of wine strewn about the tables. Ibiz was given over to the Flaming Fist soldiers, who marched him away. The Oasis was closed down without resistance. Those Calishite immigrants still lurking about the streets at this dark, early hour seemed none-too-pleased with the PCs' presence there. Glares followed them out.

In addition, a silhouetted figure observed the PCs from the outer wall of Little Calimshan. They noticed it, but were too far to discern who it was. With four Flaming Fist soldiers remaining, they pressed on through Basilisk Gate—noticing some sort of disturbance there (had there been a robbery?)—they wound their way down to the fog-shrouded harbor districts.

The Low Lantern, the second gambling den, was a listing old, three-masted merchant vessel seemingly permanently docked. The PCs went up the gangplank and to the upper deck, which was filled with tables, seated customers, and gamblers. Even one noblemen seemed in attendance at this curious hour—a patriar from the Upper City?

However, the PCs, acting under Ravengard's authority, wasn't the only one who'd come to call at the Low Lantern. Two black-uniformed members of the Watch—the law enforcement of the Upper City—were speaking angry words with several members of the Low Lantern's crew. One of the crewmen responded, "Pawn' about in a lady's rooms ain't polite."

The PCs came onto the scene, sensing a brawl ready to erupt, and told the Watchman that this was not their jurisdiction. One of the Watch soldiers warned them to back off...then a crewman (ex-pirate!) threw a fist at the soldier and a fight broke out. The PCs sided with the crewmen, for the staff of the Low Lantern didn't know yet that the PCs were there to shut them down.

When the Watch members went down—pummeled senseless but not killed—the "Lady Captain" herself appeared at the top of the forecastle, looking down on them over the railing. Laraelra Thundreth was an attractive, middle-aged half-elf with black, braided hair and attire not unlike her male crewmembers. She demanded to know what the PCs were there fore, at which point they identified themselves, if modestly, of their part in bringing down Duke Abdel's assassin on the previous day.

They were honest with her: by order of the Flaming Fist, they were there to close down the Low Lantern, and that she was wanted for questioning about any part she may have played in the assassination. They offered to speak with her in private. But neither she, nor the crew, nor the rough-looking patrons, seemed pleased with any of this. Indeed, they were furious. "The only evil in Baldur's Gate are the swine who run it—the Fist, the patriars, the Guild. They're all dirty. At least the Guild is truthful about how it operates."

The PCs against reinstated their position. Then a liquor-soaked patron threw a bottle at Lord Talborn's head and a real brawl finally began in earnest. Tredek sent numerous crewmen crashing to the ground, knocked out cold but not killed, while Ulther also battled them. Thundreth herself revealed herself as some kind of sorceress; she swung down the rigging to the deck, then unleashed a Color Spray spell upon them, momentarily frightening Ulther and confusing Tredek. Then she fled into the hold, with the PCs following as Lord Talborn aided the Flaming Fist soldiers against the crewmen. When Ulther was grievously wounded (fists gave way to blades and the attacks got more deadly), the cleric of Sune used a spell of healing to keep him on his feet.

In the ship's hold—a series of dimly lit private rooms—Zelder, Tredek, and Ulther gave chase. They first contended with a table of knife-wielding halflings gambling at a wheel-shaped table, who were not happy to see the proprietress chased by weapon-brandishing warriors. Thundresh herself used a Grease spell with mixed results, and they kept on her as best as they were able. In the end, the Lady Captain eluded them, escaping through some secret route to the water beneath the ship and disappearing in the fog in a dinghy.

While the alleged Guild-associated sorceress escaped, the PCs and the Flaming Fist soldiers had won the brawl, rendering all the rogues unconscious. On the deck above, Lord Talborn restored order with the gauntlets. From the rigging above, a gray-and-turquoise parrot flew down and landed one one of the tables that hadn't been upended.