(The following is penned in an extremely pretentious handwriting...)
Stopped at the Gate (DDAL09-02)
25 Mirtul, 1502 DR
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Refugees from the fallen city of Elturel flooded the outside of Basilisk Gate, seeking shelter. Flame Daryn Falburn, the captain stationed here with the Flaming Fist of Baldur's Gate, couldn't care less about these people. She passed along a list of requirements in order to accept each refugee- a start, though with a high bar to pass. After a brief altercation between the captain and Desky, we delivered the requirements to our employer, Dara, an Ilmatari cleric.
Chuck, Dahlia, Desky, Zaerius, and myself, Sylk, had begun to survey the refugees at the behest of both Dara and Flame Falburn, when we were attacked. Cultists fell to our mix of blades and spells, though their enchantress escaped after a brief chase. We discovered symbols related to the archdevil Zariel on their bodies, but found little evidence otherwise. After our survey finished and results were submitted, it seemed only a handful of the Eltureleans would be permitted. We rested, hoping for an answer in the morning.
An urgent summons from Flame Falburn called us back to her office. She offered a trade- acceptance of all the Elturelean refugees, in return for a murder solved. A man of the Lower City, Markus Hallgate, was found dead in the alley outside his home, holding an unsent note to a friend named Segren. We were escorted to the crime scene by Flaming Fist Valmar, and observed infernal writings carved around- "For the fallen." His body had been run through completely by a sword or spear, and Zariel's symbol carved into his flesh. Markus' widow, Bolnata Hallgate, spoke with us regarding the incident to bring the murderers to justice. We helped her connect the contents of the letter to Markus' friends also meeting the same fates, as well as having relations to the Hellriders of old. Markus and Segren's grandfathers served together, it seemed. A family heirloom of Eyes of the Eagle revealed an emblem of a horse's head on a sunburst, and the phrase, "Hell and back again." As we pondered if Markus had any still-living friends descended from Hellriders, Bolnata suggested Dovus in the Upper City. We asked Valmar to escort us.
On the way, we ran into Dovus Tobergate, a fellow Flaming Fist. He was troubled to hear not only of his friends' departures from life, but also the likelihood of being next in line. Dovus quoted a couple odd murders with the hope they were related to the case, before helping us find another potential victim- Harwin, a local seamster. We ran into Harwin's assistant (who had been humorously mistaken for Harwin and told he would die soon), who mentioned his boss was acting aloof today. Despite having materials, Harwin insisted on checking out a shipment of wool outside the city. We connected troubling dots here- Markus was attempting to send a months-old letter, and one of the Zariel cultists used enchantment magic. Our party sprinted from Harwin's shop after him, while Dovus fled to keep an eye elsewhere.
Fortunately, we stopped Harwin from leaving the city in time. He held a glaze across his eyes, confirming our worries of enchantments being at play. But he safely returned to his shop with us. Unfortunately, Flame Falburn called us back with progress on the case. Dovus Tobergate had been murdered.
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Loot
- 77gp (15gp, 4sp to each)
- 5 Syndicate Tokens (1 to each)
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The above information is written as accurately as possible, to the best of my ability. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
