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Wednesday Drednaught Campaign: Baldur's Gate

The party had a bit of a quandry this week.  With two wagons full of treasure, a barrel of very valuable black powder, and a signet ring, they had to decide what to do.  They think the ring will get them into Baldur's Gate into the lair of the bad guys who stole the riches of Grievance and other villages.  They are worried the black powder will be dangerous is given to the bad guys.  They find themselves unable to remove anything from the wagons due to some sort of curse.  They also find they can't light anything in the wagons because of some protection.  They douse the 5000gp worth of blackpowder in water, making it useless and head to Baldur's Gate.

Upon entering the edges of the city, they find Flaming Fist guards watching the bridge.  Akag meets up with another dwarf from Mithral Hall, Sir Darno, Paladin of Moradin, sent to investigate a shipment of mithral.  The dwarves have learned to use Bullettes to pull their shipments of mithral to avoid problems, so this capture of mithral north of Baldur's Gate warrants investigation.  Darno tags along, finding a common reason to join the group to investigate the theft.

Farther down the long bridge, brigands of Umberlee try to hold up the wagons again.  They bear the same markings as the group that was run off in the woods.  The fight is bitter, Darno is killed and gives his Thunderaxe to Akag to avenge him.  The party takes the advantage quickly and the bad guys jump off the bridge to flee.

At the end of the bridge a group of cultists / bandits meet the wagons, see the signet ring on Lief, and take the party through Baldur's Gate to a warehouse in the docks district.  There is news in the air of a new interim Duke Garavan.  There, several more wagons of loot await along with several more barrels of black powder.  The loot now can be removed, but fire still won't burn.

The party pays the people that lead them in, as these people seem to think the party is their employer.  They mention to the party that they are needed at the Counting House, and that construction is stopped.

Later a couple of men appear, who just barely avoid being smashed by Lesh.  These men are trying to arrange when to bring a longboat to take the barrels out to the "Vengeance".  Lief tells them to transfer them the next night to buy some time.  The men tell them to use the barkeep at the Low Lantern as a drop if they need to leave them a message.

The party goes on a bit of a shopping spree with some of their new coin and heads to the Low Lantern.  There they get ales and quickly are approached by Priest Vallagher Dante of Gond, who hopes the party will financially support High Priest of Gond Anton Tennius to be the new permanent Duke.  Shortly thereafter, they are approached by Nigel Goodrow, Hand of the Flaming Fists who seeks financial support for the greasing of palms in the parliment so Duke Garan may maintain his position.  Lief presses this man to track down the bandits that attacked in the woods and on the bridge.  Nigel guarantees to look into it and provides additional guards for the warehouse once given Lief's assurances.

The bartender gives out info on local rumors.  There was r rumor that Dowell Harpell was dragged through Baldur's Gate, kidnapped, most like for those looking for money.  Iron prices are high.  The sailors are sparse these last few weeks.  Ships sit in the harbor with no crew for them.

A man in the corner eyes the group and tells them that Groof wants to see them at Sorcerer's Sundries.  The note has Lief's name on it.  He also reminds the party to visit the counting house.  He discusses how things need to get underway, or Skullport will be lost and Waterdeep will be next.  He does not explain.

The party visits the counting house and is let in directly to extravagant surroundings.  Lief has an account awaiting the next 60,000 gp deposit for a total of a million to transfer to the Merchant League to finish construction.  Lief tells them the deposit is in the warehouse and to make the necessary arrangements to get construction back underway.

The party checks back at the warehouse and finds it under guard by the Flaming Fists.

The party stays the night at the Blade and Stars taverns.  It is a quite place with no common room, warms baths, and decent meals.  The strictly "no shady characters" policies keep the riff raff out, so the party sleeps well.  Elmeren finds no comfort under roof, so he makes his way to the open green of  The Wide.

---

The party seems somehow to suddenly be in charge of a vast sum of money and a fortune in black powder.  Construction continues on something.  The Vengeance -- what is it?  And the references to Skullport are not yet connected.  And who is Groof?

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