THE BASILISK GATE
Read or paraphrase the following boxed text to your
players to begin the adventure:
Welcome to Baldur's Gate, a veritable nest of rats and
vipers clinging to the rocky slopes overlooking the Chion-
thar River. From their high perches in the Upper City, the
local nobles-known as patriars-gaze down with veiled
contempt upon the common rabble in the grimy Lower
City, which hugs the foggy harbor. The whole of Baidu r's
Gate reeks of blood. crime, and opportunity. One can
easily fathom why pirates and traders are drawn to this
place like flies to a carcass.
Following the river farther east would eventually leadyou to Elturel, capital of the holy land of Elturgard-or
at least that was the case until a few days ago. The Aood
of refugees from Elturel has gotten worse since news
first arrived that the city has fallen. Everyone is saying
Baldur's Gate is next, but no one truly knows who or
what has claimed Elturel.
The patriars pay a mercenary army called the Flaming
Fist to protect their interests in Baldur's Gate, and by
extension, the city itself. The Flaming Fist has gained
even more power since their charismatic leader, Ulder
Ravengard, claimed the title of Grand Duke a few years
ago. Apparently, Ravengard is missing. In his absence,
the Flaming Fist has sealed the city's gates to staunch
the flow of refugees. No one is allowed in or out.
All of this was brought to your attention shortly after
you were drafted by the Flaming Fist to help defend the
city. Your orders are to speak to Captain Zodge at the
Basilisk Gate, which pierces the city's eastern wall and
takes its name from the various statues that rest in its
niches and perch atop its battlements. Unseen beyond
the sealed Basilisk Gate, a dirt road stretches through the
Outer City slums to the bridge known as Wyrm's Cross-
ing, then to distant realms beyond.
Dozens of Flaming Fist soldiers are trying to control an
angry mob of commoners eager to leave the city. Armedwith only a vague description of Captain Zodge-a tall
man with long black hair and a leather eye patch-it
takes you a while to find him. A fight breaks out between
soldiers and commoners, and you finally spot the one-
eyed captain as he wades into the fray and begins throw-
ing punches. Just another day in the City of Blood.An influx of Elturgardian refugees coupled with uncer-
tainty regarding the fate of Grand Duke Ulder Raven-
gard has convinced Captain Darmin Zodge, a lawful
evil human veteran, to prove himself worthy of leading
the Flaming Fist- lest some rival seize the opportunity
in the days ahead. Zodge also knows that Liara Portyr,
who commands the Flaming Fist stronghold of Fort
C H APTER 1 I A TAL£ Of TWO CfTrES
FLllMING F1sT
Co11T oF ARMSBeluarian in Chuh, has been recalled to Baldur's Gate
by her uncle. Duke Dillard Portyr. Zodge hopes to im-
press Commander Portyr with his ability to maintain
the peace in Baldur's Gate until her arrival.
Although Zodge lacks common decency, he cares
for the well-being of the soldiers who serve under his
command. Angry mobs can be dangerous, and Zodge is
quick to take out the instigators so that the mob's anger
turns to fear quickly. No one is arrested during the fra-
cas the characters observe, but several commoners are
beaten and robbed of their money pouches after a brief
skirmish with Zodgc and his soldiers. Express to the
players that their characters would not be surprised by
Zodge's handling of the situation. Flaming Fist captains
have tremendous latitude when it comes to keeping the
peace in Baldur's Gate, especially in the Lower City.
It's widely known that the best way to deal with Flam-
ing Fist soldiers is to bribe them. Those who cao afford
to pay a bribe of 10 gp or more (instead of the usual gate
fee of 2 cp) are allowed passage through a gate after a
bit of haggling.
MEETING CAPTAIN ZODGE
Captain Zodge is expecting the characters. If they