DavesGaming

Chuck

We spent a couple days at the Friendly Arms Inn resting up, and it was good to have the whole “extended team”, including Khalid and Dynaheir around. Jaheira seemed particularly happy about this.

This seems like a good moment to catch up on where we’re at, so here goes.
There are two major things going on, that increasingly look connected. The first, what started this whole life on the go, is continued attempts on my life. Someone is offering increasingly large chunks of money to end me. I still have no idea what that is all about. The attempts started before I’d ever hurt anyone in my life. My late father Gorion had once been an adventurer, and he may have had a number of dangerous enemies. But he died protecting *me*. Which suggests I was always the target. For now, this situation remains opaque.
In the meantime, the team I’ve joined with has taken to stamping out banditry and ending the so-called “iron crisis” in these parts. This seems to be one thing, someone is looking to increase demand for iron weapons while simultaneously controlling the supply of good metal. We’ve followed this from the iron mines south of Nashkel, to a Bandit Camp northeast of here, to a covert iron mine deep in the Cloakwood Forest. And the people behind all of this *are* offering a contract on my head. This may be because I’m starting to cause them grief. But I think if that was all there was to it, they would have named Jaheira or Sarah as our team leader. The fact I’m prominently mentioned leads me to guess this is a common cause with earlier attempts on my life.
So the “iron crisis” remains the focus of our investigations. Our latest information indicates a trade group located in the city of Baldur’s Gate is responsible for this. Tomorrow, we will set out and see if we can learn anything about the “Iron Throne”.

I am proud of the team I’ve been working with.

Imoen has even followed me into the study of magic. She’s actually more focused on Arcane magic than I am and has advanced beyond me in that regard.

I would have never survived any of this without Sarah. She is easily the greatest warrior among us. And she’s been good-natured and easy to talk to. I’d even say I think she likes me (!). She also still scares me a little, she is so capable of massive violent action I’m not sure what she would want with me?

Jaheira provided us with our mission, or as I think of it, something to keep me distracted from the attempts on my life. She most often fights side by side with Sarah controlling our fighting front. She has a snarky sense of humor and acts like she will respect no leadership but her own. But she’s actually been cooperative and helpful, in spite of herself.

No doubt, Minsc is huge and strong, and provides us with a sort of brute force we’d otherwise be lacking. He fights with a Great Sword and mostly keeps behind Sarah and Jaheira, striking for maximum effect. He may be confused about many things, but he’s a solid friend for us.

Its funny, Sarah is so careful to always say “Alora is our scout”. To which Alora says “oh I’m a thief”. As far as I know she hasn’t stolen from any of us? But she’s pretty “in your face” about her role with us! I’d also add, she’s more of an imp and prankster than even Imoen ever was.

We’ve also got a pair of associate members.

I trust all of these people and we get along well together.

In the morning we set out. Just north of the Inn we came across a number of Ankheg in a frenzy.

Continuing on we came to the great bridge that was entrance to Baldur’s Gate. Sarah suggested we should continue past it to the coast, just to be familiar with possible routes of flight. She really worries about security! But then, I’m still alive.

Just past Baldur’s Gate is the small fishing village of Ulgoth’s Beard. We came across a mage, Shandalar, who commanded us to retrieve his missing cloak. And we found ourselves on some frozen rock in the middle of the ocean.

We found a cave entrance that led to a finished stone facility of some sort.

We encountered several, they were all hostile and a little bonkers. After a half dozen such combats we found a worn wizard’s robe, and were teleported back to Ulgoth’s Beard and stood before Shandalar again.
“What was that place?”
“An anomaly of sorts. A place I had no desire to return to. Thank you for my cloak…”

Well that was odd. This small town had a nice inn and we found a few interesting folks. There was much talk about Durlag’s Tower, a haunted ruin to the south of here. Also, a scholar of sorts asked if while in Baldur’s Gate we could locate sea charts. There had been reports of an ancient ship wreck he wanted to investigate.
So we came up with a few chores. And finally, it was off for the big city.

*****

I seem to have picked up a nasty bit of winter crud (Bronchitis). Funny thing, its easier to play a game I’ve played a hundred times than it is to do these write-ups just now. Just to say, I’m well in to the city game-wise right now. Expect I’ll catch that up over the next few days.