The first to arrive are Io and Misty, coming to the Basilisk Gate and presenting the Flaming Fist stationed at the unusually closed gate their leader. Led to a side door, the duo, who have a passing familiarity with one another and their reputation, having only met a handful of times and always in a professional capacity. Taken to a small room, it has a window open to the Gray Harbor and the slow descent of the spring-tide sun to the far western edge of the Sword Coast's horizon beyond the hills. At the desk sits a middle-aged woman of auburn hair and a face suggesting middle age, a life lived hard but well. Dressed in full Flaming Fist armor, she signs paperwork and does not look up at them at their arrival; no, that is Hex's job.
Part of Misty sinks as she spies the gnome standing in the shadows of the corner, emerging with a dark smile on his face beneath his bulbous nose. "Good afternoon, Cloak Xanthe; Cloak Strakeln. Thank you for your tidy arrival. We have but one more to wait for before we can be—" He is interrupted by the door opening behind them, a group of three Flaming Fist centurions bringing in four more souls: a moon elf they partly recognize as a fellow Lords' Alliance agent, and his companions, a tiefling, a half-orc, and a human priest of some sort.
The woman at the desk does not look up as she speaks. "You're dismissed, soldiers. Go back to the eastern mouth of the Gate and await my commands. They'll come before I retire for the day."
The door shuts, and silence falls as she continues writing her report. And then, suddenly, her signature goes wide, her quill goes to her inkpot, and she sighs, stretching her gauntleted hand.
"Welcome to Baldur's Gate. Is it everything you've hoped for?"
10 Tarkash, Year of Three Ships Sailing, 1492 DR
The Basilisk Gate,
Baldur's Gate, Sword Coast
The woman at the desk stands, setting her arms behind her back. "My name is Daryn Falburn, Flame of the Flaming Fist. To the best of my ability I am attempting to keep order in this city, on all sides: refugee and citizen. No one has done wrong here, but we are all victims of this crisis, so heads are running hot and not everyone can get what they want. Once we confirmed the situation in Elturel, I had my cadets keep an eye out for an elf of your standing, Cloak Donnathlascen. Undoubtedly you know your superior here; to the rest of you, this is Hecktoheironimous Halfsbottle, Stingblade of the Lords' Alliance and representative of Baldur's Gate in matters greater than those of state. Let's cut the chitchat and get to work."
The gnome sighs. "Must we hasten so quickly? We don't even know Keryn's new friends' names!"
Falburn does not even spare him a glance. "They could be named Meek, Mok, and Mork, for all I care. To business: I first need confirmation of what you saw on the road here, what has become of Grand Duke Ravengard, and your role in creating this caravan. Secondly, I already know what you hope, because every caravan hopes it: we loosen our rules, open our gates, and let you in. This can be arranged, if you bring me the right materials. I need you to do the following for me, by harbrightCommon slang for the period just after dawn.: a full accounting of each refugee with their name, occupation, age, and criminal record. Confirmation from a cleric or lay-healer that resides within Baldur’s Gate confirming that each refugee is free of any disease. Arrangements must be made with inns, temples, or relatives that are willing to house the refugees: they can’t sleep on the streets. The refugees must have some arrangement to do work for the benefit of the city. Finally, and this is bad news for some: you must not bring in your cart or beasts of burden. Whatever goods you have you are responsible for without help of horse."
Hex shakes his head. "An impossible task, even in the best of circumstances, particularly this late into the day."
Falburn sighs, seeming to know this, despite her irritation. "Cloaks Xanthe and Strakeln, you are to assist them in this matter. I suggest you find clergy here within the city prepared to check every member of your party and make sure they are safe and clean, then my associates will let you back through the Basilisk Gate with special compensation. You four will also be allowed to stay within the Lower City for the night, if you so choose, but your caravan must remain outside. I like it even less than you do, I assure you."
What is this?