The Flaming Fist

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Sirs:

I have recently arrived in Baldur's Gate and came by the recruitment notices posted. I am a former soldier of Daggerford and am proficient in the use of the sword. It is my wish to join the ranks of the Flaming Fist and I would be honored to be accepted.

Lasmus Heppenzeiler (signed illegibly)

[whenwizardswar]

Attention Flaming Fist soldiers.

Yesterday a green clad woman with a very strange speech pattern began to cast earth quakes and summon thunder and lightning in Beregosts market square, causeing substantial life loss and damage to the market.

She wields green outfits, a spear, has a strange accent and speaks of her god "Stormy" and about raining wrath and destruction. I want this woman killed on sight and locked away in the Baldurs Gate prison, there is a three thousand gold peice service bonus for the soldiers who apprehend the woman.

Captain Aegies Feld

[DM blessedone]

The Sgt. storms into the Keep with a firm grip on the scroll in his hand. He gives a quick salute to the sentry on guard and hands to him the Scroll...."Give this to Lt. Crownsilver" and turns to exit the Keep and return to the Temple of Helm to continue his duties at hand....

Lt. Crownsilver,

Sir, it is with a heavy heart that I report this news to you. As of a day ago, a small band of anventurers and myself were ambushed by the likes of Spell slinging Ogres and Trolls. These beasts were working together! We defeated the beasts and fought our way to the caves on the cliff side near Candlekeep. There we fought through the likes of many foul beasts and in the end encountered an old man in red robes who called himself, The Puppeteer. He is a mad man who wishes to only rise in power through any who can aid him. Those who refuse, he has promised to kill. Starting with all Flaming Fist members. We are once again the targets of wicked and foul hearts. I have sent word to every soldier to be especially watchful in the times ahead and to report such strange sightings. He seemed to be using some strange beast he called an, Illithid, to control the beasts. Either way, he is seeking to control Thay in the end. Sir, I will continue to fight against the likes of such evil and find a way to aid in its destruction. May Helm guide us and guard us all in these trying times we face. Glory be to Helm and to the Fist!

~Sgt. Aiden McBride

*******************

The sentry was visibly shaken by the obvious anger that the Sgt. held in his eyes and it took him a moment to realize that he needed to give to the Sgt. a letter that has been in the Keep for some time now...."Sgt. McBride Sir! This is for you sir. He claims to be a soldier from Daggerford...." as he hands Aiden the scroll.

Sirs:

I have recently arrived in Baldur's Gate and came by the recruitment notices posted. I am a former soldier of Daggerford and am proficient in the use of the sword. It is my wish to join the ranks of the Flaming Fist and I would be honored to be accepted.

Lasmus Heppenzeiler (signed illegibly)

****************************

The Sgt. takes the letter and looks over it as he nods. "We do indeed need a bolstering of our ranks. If only we knew where to find this volunteer......"

[earthsong]

The Flaming Fist
Road Wardens
TO: Sergeant Aiden McBride
FROM: Private Alley Meynolt


Sergeant McBride,

On my patrol south, I was escorting a hin to Beregost, when I encountered a shadow. I swiftly destroyed it, and we were joined by another hin, a cleric of Waukeen, and two others. It was swiftly apparent that the elf behind the shadow was the summoner. I attempted to bring said summoner in for questioning in light of recent events. He refused to come willingly, and was adept at misdirection and hiding swiftly from sight. Myself, the hin, and the cleric attempted to subdue him, but he was able to escape deep into the Cloakwood, followed by his friend that he called Hernan. The elf's bear companion was slain on the road. *A description of Glendel Derei'kul and Hernan Nefzel follows*.


Pvt. Alley Meynolt


((sorry for earlier today, after crashing twice I could not get back on for the event))

[DM Sir Carnifex]

-----------------------
...Which reminds me...

Alley Meynolt and Lasmus Heppenzeiler have been added to the forces of the Flickering Fist as privates recently.

More recruits are still needed. Send me a PM if you're interested or send me a tell in game.
-----------------------

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Atticus has been accepted in the Flaming Fist as a private.

[DM blessedone]

Leaving his Temple on the word that has reached his ear, Sgt. McBride heads to the Keep. He soon arrives and gives a quick salute to the sentry at the door and enters the Keep to then salute the Sentry posted inside. "Are there any reports Pvt?" he asks as he relieves his salute. The sentry then gives to the Sgt. a scroll, "This is from Pvt. Meynolt" Aiden takes the scroll, gives a nod and then makes his way to the general area of the Soldiers quarters and retrieves a copy of the new roster that has been scribed. Nodding to himslf as he reads, Pvt. Meynolt, Pvt. Heppenzeiler and Pvt. Atticus." he speaks to himself as he looks over the roster. Good! This is good indeed. Now this is a step towards bolstering our ranks indeed." The Sgt. then takes a seat as he opens up the scroll and begins to read....

The Flaming Fist
Road Wardens
TO: Sergeant Aiden McBride
FROM: Private Alley Meynolt

Sergeant McBride,
On my patrol south, I was escorting a hin to Beregost, when I encountered a shadow. I swiftly destroyed it, and we were joined by another hin, a cleric of Waukeen, and two others. It was swiftly apparent that the elf behind the shadow was the summoner. I attempted to bring said summoner in for questioning in light of recent events. He refused to come willingly, and was adept at misdirection and hiding swiftly from sight. Myself, the hin, and the cleric attempted to subdue him, but he was able to escape deep into the Cloakwood, followed by his friend that he called Hernan. The elf's bear companion was slain on the road. *A description of Glendel Derei'kul and Hernan Nefzel follows*.

Pvt. Alley Meynolt

He lets out a bit of a sigh, "Seems bandits have once again stirred up along the road. Very well. I need to make all aware of this and to keep an eye open for them as well as that crazy Gnome with the strange tattoos..." and with that, Aiden returns to the Temple of Helm for his time in prayer and to scribe a word of thanks to the new private......

[DEV Akavit]

A man wearing blue robes and a floppy hat visits the Flaming Fist headquarters in the city. Upon entering he requests to join the Road Warden branch of the Fist. After being questioned, he is sent away with the promise that he will be notified shortly if his services are needed.

"A right proper thanks to you sir. If you be needing to find me just ask about for me. There's folks a plenty that know me. I don't have an address to be handing out as I aim to be in the south for a fair bit of time as there's giants that could use a mighty good taming in those parts."

The recruiter begins to fill out a form as the man leaves.



Kerto Brundenburg:

Claims to be skilled with bow, blade and spell and prefers to fight without armor or shield. He has not yet been tested on the field.....



Update: MDWagner inducted Kerto into the Fist as a private.

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Falgorn Firehead has been accepted into the ranks of the Flaming Fist as a private.

[DM mdwagner]

Kerto Brundenburg has been initiated into the Fist as a private.

[DEV Akavit]

Private Brundenburg brings in the following report:

While patrolling along the Lion's Way I happened across a woman named Lyra that informed me of two recent attempts upon her life by some necromancerer. Hearing that the second attack occurred near the infamous temple of Bhaal I accompanied her and her companion Talahir to the place for a quick little checking about. There wasn't all that much to be found other than the usual gnolls. So while we were discussing matters along the side of the road I spied a dark figure creeping slow-like into a clump of bushes. Acting mighty casual, I strolled up and greeting the person that turned out to be a woman that I'd seen fighting a gnoll earlier that day- rather good-looking at that - dressed up all in black armor and a fancy hat. Her features struck me as being elvish. Well it seems that she got plumb spooked and just got up and zipped away in a flash. With me not having any restraining spells prepared and being unwilling to put an arrow in her back without knowing more, she escaped. Just thought I'd report this seeing that it's right strange behavior.

On a lesser note. Shortly after I'd come across Lyra and Talahir, some black-cloaked body sneaked up mighty close to us before getting scared off as Lyra spotted him and cried thief. That fellow eluded capture but it seems to have been little more than an attempt to pilfer a few belongings.

[DM blessedone]

The Sgt. makes his way from the Temple to the Keep of the Fist. He takes a look to his shield arm, which, once again, has needed to be healed up before travel. He lets out a sigh as he looks up to the entrance to the Keep. He gives his usual salute to the sentries posted up outside and enters......"Give this to Lt. Crownsilver Pvt." and with that he gives another salute and then returns to the Temple of Helm for some time in prayer.......

Lt. Crownsilver,

What follows is the account along the Road outside that infernal Gnoll stronghold. While patrolling North along the road, I came upon Lt. Crownsilver fighting the likes of a few Gnolls. These seemed to be stronger and larger than normal Gnolls. I aided in the fight and we stood the victors, but, this was a short lived victory because, soon, a steady force of the usual Gnolls led by larger and stronger ones came forth from that place. We fought long and hard and soon we were attacked from the South by the likes of the Goblins! Then from the West came the likes of the Lizard folks. Now, the Goblins I understand will roam about in search of victims, but, the Lizard folk usually do not come out of those woods unless dire need pushes them. I agree with you that something stirs and causes this havoc in this region.

Once the battle was over with those beasts, a most foul site was to beheld. That magickal darkness showed once again and we prepared for the fight that was surely to come. What we had to fight that came forth was not expected though. Pale faces peered through the edge of the darkness showing their fangs as they approached and attacked. We fought hard against them and the minor wounds seemed to heal right before my very eyes!

The battle was long and hard and when we thought we might have the victory, another Lich stepped forth from that darkness with a most wicked laughter. Spells begin to be slung and sword was cutting the dead flesh, but, suddenly there was darkness in my eyes. When I awoke, all I saw was Lt. Crownsilver standing over me. He helped me to my feet and the enemy was gone. By Helm we barely made it to the area of the wolves alive when we were met by stinkin' bandits! A small band of bandits led by a half-orc surrounded us and demanded money. We explained to them that they were under arrest for such and the fight was on. They did not last long beneath our blade and we barely made it to the Gate itself alive. Lt. Crownsilver, My wounds have healed and I have repaired my armor and returned to patrols once again. I pray that we find this Lich's essence soon so that this region may have some peace for a little while.

As for that foul Stronghold. A call has been sent to all adventurers for the retaking of that place. Perhaps we should speak to the Duke about this place and explain to him what a burden it has been and how it has been nothing but a source for wicked and evil beings and trouble in general. We should also let him know that this place is a Temple to the wicked Bhaal. I have already sent word to the Holy Order on the matter as well. Perhaps we could have his blessing to take some Soldiers to aid any adventurers and cleanse that place of the evil that dwells within.

On a side note sir. I would like to speak with you some time in reference to doing some field training with the new Troops under our command now. We need to unify them as a team to face the dangers that always show face in this region. I believe that through training, we can give them confidence in their abilities as a Team and as a member of this organization.

This is all that I have to report at this time Sir.
Glory be to Helm and the Fist!

Sgt. Aiden McBride

[tapemeasure]

.....Pushing the door open wide the heavily armored man take one long stride into the sitting room and paused to close the door behind him. He looked about and saluted those around, visibly wearing the weight of several days patrolling. In fact, Atticus had nearly forgotten what the sounds of a city were like, other than the hamlet of Beregost.

.....He sighed a heavy breath, and removed the red helmet the revealing his nearly golden, bald head and tattooed face. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took the helmet under one arm while reaching for his pack with the other. Bringing it around his body, he dug into it to procure the parchment he had been writing on for nearly a day.

.....With his long strides, he easily made his way to Sgt. McBride's desk and laid the rolled scroll down. Taking another deep breath, he turned and traversed the establishment as easily as when he entered. He paused at the door once more to replace his helmet and heading back to the road.

Written on the scroll:

Sgt. McBride,
.....As stated to you earlier, I have much to report to you, sir, and I apologize for the tardiness of this report.

.....As I, and group of travelers, was walking the road 5 days ago, we came across two men in the road in a conversation. I greeted the two, and found myself in the middle of their conversation if only by proxy of the uniform I wear. It seems the first man, later to be known as Antan Dordec was in the Cloakwood area when he was attacked by stranger yielding fire from the heavens. The other man claimed to be an Apothecary for the Flaming Fist and, more so, a cleric of Lathander, though I never caught his name. Before I could gather enough information, the Apothecary was shrouded in flames and disappeared without a trace, including a corpse.

.....As I continued to question Mr. Dordec, a man named Baladar came from the North side of the desolate temple of Bhaal. The three of us attracted a large crowd on the road including a fierce Dwarven fighter names Falgorn Firehead and the cleric Rowina Millows. As the questions and confusion built, a large group of strange hobgoblins came rushing from the South in an attempt on our lives. We were able to thwart the raiding party, but not without casualties.

.....As members of the crowd, including Mr. Dordec, dissipated after the raid, myself and the remaining mortals were attacked once again by the flames from above. The man claiming to be an Apothecary returned, but, again, was shrouded in flames and left no corpse behind him. As we investigated the area, we were stunned to see an Abyssal creature looming in the distance. Sensing the risk of danger and destruction upon the city, we attacked the creature and sent him back to Asmodeus’ realm, though the battle ended much too quickly. I say this because it seemed as if it were unsummoned. The man named Baladar returned to us then to offer an explanation.

.....The next day, I was with, now Private, Falgorn and an elf named Tuva in the Hilltop Ruins. As were leaving were suddenly attacked by bandits working alongside kobolds. We routed the enemies and pursued them to the heart of the ruins. In the middle of the kobold and bandit group, an Illithid stood and began communicating to us with its deceptive powers. It claimed to be “The Puppeteer,” and could not let this evil in this realm any longer.

.....The following evening, I and another Dwarven private were assaulted by a mysterious woman whose face I could not make out as she jumped from shadow to shadow. I could not gather the Dwarf’s name before her deadly blade fell him and myself. I awoke to consciousness to find her blade at my throat as I lay on the road. She threatened my life, and demanded that I join this “Puppeteer” or die. As she spoke, the Pvt. Falgorn came to my aid by bull rushing the woman, lending me the opportunity to gather myself and engage her once more. She was far more skilled than Falgorn and I, and again had us unconscious.

.....I leave these findings to you and the Executive Officers for discussion, but I am more than willing to deliver any information I may have left out. I do apologize for the disorder of this report, as it is the first I have made. Though, I am certain that you will direct me on a more effective means of reporting in the future.

.....On a side note, sir, I am honored that the Fist has inducted Falgorn in its ranks. He is indeed a trusted ally and an honorable Dwarf. He will make a find Defender of the Roads.

.....If/when you need me to discuss more on these topics, I will be ever vigilant in guarding the roads and its travelers.

Tyr’s Blessings to you,
Atticus, Pvt.
Road Warden

[DM williamfredrickson]

*A letter is waiting on a clerk’s desk at the Flaming Fist headquarters, written neatly on fine parchment*

"I would like to inform the officers and soldiers of the Flaming Fist of a menace that has been stalking the Trade Way as of late. A foul-tempered and ruthless dwarf that goes by the name of Grundin (though he has also been known by several aliases) has recently been making several attacks on innocent travelers. I myself have been subject to many assaults from this blood thirsty dwarf, barely escaping with my life.

The most recent occasion happened south of Baldur's Gate, near the hilltop ruins. I was ambushed in the middle of the night by the notorious Grundin and a shadowy compatriot of his in black armor. The two preceded to threaten me, despite my attempts to find a peaceful solution. The result of the confrontation was that the dwarf and his accomplice attacked me savagely, and left me for dead on the hillside. I only just made it safetly back to the city.

I have also seen the dwarf Grundin in the company of a multitude of halflings. During one occasion I saw the dwarf and a darkly dressed halfling standing over the lifeless body of a mauled traveler on the road south of The Gate.

It is my theory that Grundin, the black armored man, and these mysterious halflings have terrorized many a traveler on the roads for their tyrannical entertainment and self-profit. This blood thirsty band must be stopped.

I would highly suggest that the Fist put forth efforts to capture these brigands and bring them to justice for the good of all!

My esteemed thanks for your time,

William Fredrickson

P.S. - if you need to contact me, please leave a note at the Elfsong. I’m currently lodging there.”

*a description of the dwarf Grundin follows. He is described as wearing leather armor and a metal helm, and fighting with an axe*

[DM Sir Carnifex]

Lasmus stops to drop a report on Sgt. McBride's desk before retiring to the barracks.

Sergeant McBride,

South of Baldur's Gate, while on my way back from patrol, I encountered a queer man trying to dodge behind some bushes upon my approach. He could give no explanation for it save that he sought his own safety. He ran away from me and joined with a tall woman whom I cannot identify. I advise to be on the watch for him as a normal man seeking safety does not hide from the Fist.

He wears dark robes and a black cloak pulled low over his face.

Private Heppenzeiler