Descent into Avernus

Dungeon Master notes for running Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus.

The Road to Baldurs Gate

This is the very beginning of the campain. Elturel has disappeared! The adventurers are on their way to Baldur’s Gate along with many other refugees.

  • Main: Descent into AvernusDescent into Avernus
    Links

    D&D Beyond Campaign

    Official Source Book

    Alexandrian Remix

    Players

    Forith (Simon)

    Ewan

    Bob (Devin)

    Withre (Tsukasa)

    Parts broken down by Alexandrian


    The Beginning

    The Road to Baldurs Gate
    Meeting Zodge


    Vanthampur Investigations

    Tracking Down Tarina
    Dungeon of the Dead Three
    Investigating the Murders
    Trafficking Amrik
    Poisoned Poseidon
    Vanthampur Manor
    Infernal Puzzlebox


    Part 3J: The Port...
  • Related: Refugee CampRefugee Camp
    General Description

    Sprawling makeshift city outside be city walls of Baldur’s Gate
    Shadows jumping across the tents from the few scattered campfires
    Senses

    Sound: general hushed tones as people talking among each other creates constant background noise
    Feel: the air is still, as if everyone is holding their breath at once
    Smell / Taste: the scent of logs burning fills the air from the scattered fires


    Events

    most of the refugees are dirty fro...
    Meeting ZodgeMeeting Zodge
    Once they arrive at Baldur’s Gate, they meet Flame Zodge who gives them a quest to solve the murders of the refugees.

    Links

    Main: Descent into Avernus
    Related: The Road to Baldurs Gate
    Related:Refugee Camp
    Official Chapter
    Alexandrian Remix


    Scenes

    If you haven’t already, give them a description of the location Refugee Camp. There is only one scene here, the interaction with Flame Zodge.

    Zodge’s Deal
    Flame Zodge sizes up the adventurers and offers them a deal:

    The city is in...
  • Official Chapter
  • Alexandrian Remix

Strong Start

(Refugees along the road version of Alexandrian).

It has been four long days since the city of Elturel suddenly vanished from the Earth, leaving everyone wondering what truly happened. So far you’ve avoided mixing with any of the other refugees from Elturel, but their numbers increase day by day.

Scenes

  • Bandits attack: As you break the crest of the next hill you see a small family on the side of the road. 1 of 5 gruff looking thugs are is in the middle of beating upon the father. See [[#Bandit Attack]]
  • Refugee campground: As night begins to fall, you approach a large campfire. Somber faces around the group talk in hushed tones as they share what little food the have among each other. See [[#Campground]]
    • Be sure to indicate that food is running scare.
  • Flaming Fist roughing up refugees: Ahead on the road you see three well armored people yelling at a family of refugees. As you get closer, you hear them berating the family and telling them to go away from Baldur’s Gate.
    • There should be 1 more Flaming Fist VeteranVeteran
      Tactics

      appearance

      Stat Block

      Option 1: Screen capture image of stat block and save it
      Option 2: Generate the stat block from https://tetra-cube.com/dnd/dnd-statblock.html

      /assets/img/stat_blocks/veteran-stat-block.png
      than the number of PCs.
    • Make sure the PCs understand they are outnumbered and outmatched.
    • The Flaming Fists don’t want to kill anyone in plain sight, so this is not a battle to the death.

Secrets and Clues

  • In each of the discussions with NPCs ensure you spread some of the Rumors of ElturelRumors of Elturel
    Rumors of what Happened to Elturel

    ELTUREL LIVES!

    The Companion — Amaunator’s Gift, the shining orb which hangs as a second sun above the city of Elturel and has long protected it from the scourge of the undead — sensed that a great evil was threatening Elturel. It bathed the city in its holy rays and drew it across time and space to the Keep of the Eternal Sun, the stronghold of Amaunator, God of Sun and Time. Unfortunately, many who sought to reach the city before its ascension were unabl...
    . They do not need to be consistent.
  • Flaming Fist is roughing up refugees and want them out of Baldur’s Gate (refugees are not our problem).
  • Refugees are running out of food and see Baldur’s Gate as their only option.

Fantastic Locations

Bandit Attack

  • Single horse drawn cart off to the side of the road with kids hiding behind it.
  • Fallen log across the road that forced them to stop.
  • Pathway into the woods the leading to the bandit’s camp.

Campground

  • Bonfire with logs set up around it and people singing songs
  • Teenagers playing a game of Baldur’s Bones until a parent breaks them up
  • Old couple sitting around a secondary fire cooking stew and discussing Elturel.

Important NPCs

  • Chahra ShavChahra Shav
    Chahra Shav

    Appearance
    A middle aged woman, slightly overweight with kind eyes and shoulder length hair. Her clothes are plain, but well kept and she always has at least two children running around her. Married to Ziem Shav.

    Quote
    “You got yoursel into that mess, now get yourself out.”

    Role Playing

    Molly Weasley. Generally kind, but constantly tired.
    Always cleaning something; can’t sit still.
    Keep pushing hair out of face.


    Background
    Chahra is the mother to six children ranging f...
    and Ziem ShavZiem Shav
    Ziem Shav

    Appearance
    Middle aged human male typically wearing well worn clothes. His hair is a mixture of brown and grey, and he’s generally a very positive and welcoming person.

    Quote
    “Come in, sit down. Let me get you a cup of tea.”

    Role Playing

    Arthur Weasley - very excited to meet new people.
    Constantly lost in thought.
    Let out a big sigh frequently and make a deal about taking a load off.


    Background
    Husband to Chahra Shav. Works as a carptenter on the outskirts of Elturel for...
    : Refugees from Elturel to Baldur’s Gate with their 6 children.
  • Rungreda KragmaneRungreda Kragmane
    Rungreda Kragmane

    Appearance
    Female dwarf, deep red hair, dark skin. Wears leather armor over green breeches and red shirt. 100 years old.

    Quote / Framework
    Hagrid from Harry Potter
    “Now don’t go doin’…”

    Role Playing

    Friendly, but simple talk. Accidentally gives out more than they plan on.
    Puffs out cheeks and blows when she gets a hard question.
    Shakes head a lot when agreeing or disagreeing


    Background
    Rungreda runs trade caravans between Baldur’s Gate and Elturel, so she knows t...
    : Refugee from Elturel to Baldur’s Gate
  • Tarrin AraricTarrin Araric
    Tarrin Araric

    Appearance
    Male elf, younger, who wears the latest fashions. Mid-back length black hair normally tied into a pony tail.

    Quote / Framework
    Quark from Star Trek DS9
    “Never allow sentiment to stand in the way of opportunity.”

    Role Playing

    A businessperson foremost. Always trying to get the best deal.
    Always pointing out how they can benefit others (at a price).
    Shifty eyes, always looking around to see what’s going on


    Background
    Tarrin comes from a moderatey wealthy fam...
    : Refugee from Elturel to Baldur’s Gate

Potential Monsters

  • 1-2 ThugThug
    Name

    Tactics
    appearance

    Stat Block

    Option 1: Screen capture image of stat block and save it
    Option 2: Generate the stat block from https://tetra-cube.com/dnd/dnd-statblock.html

    /assets/img/stat_blocks/thug-stat-block.png
    per PC
  • If they attack the flaming fist, 1 more VeteranVeteran
    Tactics

    appearance

    Stat Block

    Option 1: Screen capture image of stat block and save it
    Option 2: Generate the stat block from https://tetra-cube.com/dnd/dnd-statblock.html

    /assets/img/stat_blocks/veteran-stat-block.png
    than number of PCs.

Potential Treasure

  • 3d6 gp on the Thugs (total)
  • Basic weapons if anyone wants them (Club and Heavy Crossbow)

Next Steps

At this point the group should arrive at Baldur’s Gate where they meet Flame ZodgeFlame Zodge
Flame Zodge
Written as Captain Zodge but the Flaming Fist doesn’t have captains.

Appearance
Leader of the Flaming Fist; A tall man with long black hair and a leather eye patch

Quote / Framework
“It’s in the freaking city”

Role Playing

Base this on Saul Tigh from Battlestar Galactica
Disgusted by nearly everything he hears.
Keep lip pursed as if waiting to hear something bad


Background
Although Zodge lacks common decency, he cares for the well-being of the soldiers who serve under ...
at the Refugee CampRefugee Camp
General Description

Sprawling makeshift city outside be city walls of Baldur’s Gate
Shadows jumping across the tents from the few scattered campfires
Senses

Sound: general hushed tones as people talking among each other creates constant background noise
Feel: the air is still, as if everyone is holding their breath at once
Smell / Taste: the scent of logs burning fills the air from the scattered fires


Events

most of the refugees are dirty fro...
and he offers them Meeting ZodgeMeeting Zodge
Once they arrive at Baldur’s Gate, they meet Flame Zodge who gives them a quest to solve the murders of the refugees.

Links

Main: Descent into Avernus
Related: The Road to Baldurs Gate
Related:Refugee Camp
Official Chapter
Alexandrian Remix


Scenes

If you haven’t already, give them a description of the location Refugee Camp. There is only one scene here, the interaction with Flame Zodge.

Zodge’s Deal
Flame Zodge sizes up the adventurers and offers them a deal:

The city is in...
.