Road to Baldur's Gate

Summary
Uktar 30th
The party arrives in Saerloon just ahead of the deadline. Prim is in disguise again and sees new wanted posters for her, but the reward is up to 1,000 gold. The arrive at the Blue Cow Inn and ask the asian innkeep for Adkrona. She leads them to Adkrona, who is happy to see them, she was leaving in the morning. The party asks if they could have an extra day of rest, they have been on the road for three weeks non-stop AND fought a dragon. Adkrona agrees and says they can take more time if needed. She has been to Adril's house, he has been there since Akari visited, and he left an angry note about dead bodies left in his vestibule. But he has not been there since, so Adkrona is going on to Baldur's Gate to see Adril's former apprentice, Lexie Ravenwing. She is not concerned with vengeance on Tagreth, she is more worried about the threat to her living friend, then revenge for the dead. She comments "A hundred years from now, I'll still be spitting on his grave. Maybe I'll visit him on his deathbed and remind him of that fact." After dinner, the party goes to their rooms. When Dolomoth approaches his, the door is cold and mist swirls from below. When he opens the door, he is pulled through a portal into the feywild and is in an ice chamber. Culathos is there, listening to a satyr and elf band. He looks up and waves Dolomoth over. "Dolomoth," he says, "You and your companions are gaining in power and you are mastering your skills. Your parents are still safe. Soon, I hope you will be ready to confront Rostok and remove his threat forever." He waves a hand and Dolomoth is back in the hallway, his door is open and there's nothing beyond but his normal room, the frost is gone. After an evening's rest, the party does shopping and resupply in Saerloon. They drag Akari around town to bargain for them. Joan and Prim got to a potion shop and look for a better magic short sword for Prim. She finds one, but she can't afford it. Dolomoth and Aria end up in a spooky shop that caters to necromancers and such, Dolomoth buys a vampire eye for a Shadow of Moil spell. Aria also suggests buying trade goods that will be rare in Baldur's Gate; they buy imported tea and spices. Prim goes to buy fancy men's clothes to expand her disguise kit options, but is spotted by an alert guard. The patrol stops and questions her and she spins a sob story about being a retired adventurer taking car of their mom. Eventually the guard relents and lets her go. That night, Aria has a dream, the lich Radeira speaks to her! She says "Sister, our enemy is still active. Your brother still lives. When will you take the aid I have offered you?"
Nightal 1
The party and Adkrona depart for Baldur's Gate. They travel to Daerlun and on to the portal. They pass through, with Adkrona leading the way. They emerge from Helm's portal, it is carved into a man made cliff side with a line drawing of Helm's symbol engraved on it. But the party is stopped as a group of peasants in homespun clothing carrying a mix of simple weapons approaches. They are lead by a man in what is obviously a home made imitation of a priest's robes. In a hillfolk accent, he declares Helm has safely delivered a group of travelers and asks for a tithe of ten gold coins each in thanks. Offended by the blatant attempt to extort money from them, Joan steps to the front, shoots a Sacred Flame at the false priest's feet and threatens them. The bandits flee, three of them dropping their weapons as they run (GM's note- I rolled three nat ones and two elevens for their morale checks. Talk about bad rolls!) The party makes camp, and they sleep in Akari's Leomund's Tiny Hut after finding some shelter for the horses. But rain turns to snow and three of the horses are ill in the morning. Joan uses Cure Disease on them and gives them a chance to rest, before the party rides on to Elturel.
Nightal 2
The party reaches Elturel, and Adkrona gives them a choice: they can ride to Baldur's Gate, which is at least ten days, or they can buy passage on a river barge, which will probably only take seven days. They decide to take the barge. They have a leisurely trip down river.
Nightal 9
As they approach Baldur's gate, they see a massive bridge that goes from shore, to an island, and on to the opposite shore. The bridge is so large, buildings have been built on and under it, and the center island is a fortress, with drawbridges on either side. Adkrona explains the fortress is headquarters for the Flaming Fist mercenary company, they serve as the city's army and back up the town guard. The barge comes ashore to let off the party's mounts and other livestock; most animals are not allowed in town. They pay for stabling and continue on to dock in the city. Adkrona leads them away from the docks and into a trade district, finally coming to a tall building with a glowing enchanted sign that says "Ravenwing Magical Services". They enter the shop and are greeted by Lexie's half-elf apprentice, who takes them to a sitting room and serves them wine while he goes for Lexie. Footsteps and a squeaky voice come down the stairs as Lexie makes her appearance, she's a kenku! Lexie welcomes the party and talks to Adkrona, she is aware of everyone's deaths. Adkrona asks after Adril, Lexie says she spoke to him by spell last week; he is up in Icewind Dale on an "archeological" mission. Adkrona relaxes, hearing that he is safe and far from the reach of the Fire Knives. Dolomoth takes the opportunity to ask about Lexi enchanting his crowstaff. She examines it and asks for details. She agrees, but says she is in the middle of a project, she can probably have it ready in seven days or so. She gives him a discounted rate of a flat thousand gold.

Silly Quotes and Smart Remarks
The party is dragging Akari around to negotiate for them while shopping.
Katya "I'm the designated shopper"

Discussing Prim's fake names
Katya "Hi, my name is Hello"
Sam decides to add letters every time, so her false identity went to Prome. Someone suggested she could aim for "Prometheus"
Jim "So what, when your bounty is a million gold?"
It went up to "Promet" and people were pronouncing it with silly French and Italian accents.

Prim is stopped and interrogated by the town guards because one saw through her disguise. After a rough start, Sam's roleplay and rolls (ending with a nat 20) carried the day.
Brittany "The townspeople throw coins"
Katya "Flowers go flying"

Brittany was very tired, so while discussing marching order:
Brittany "I'll go in the middle"
Jim "Towards the front or back?"
Brittany "Yes"

The party is stopped by a bunch of bandits pretending to be taking donations for Helm's church after using the portal
Nick "Can I scare them with real religion?"
Jim "Joan paid attention in Sunday School"
Sam "Every day was Sunday School for Joan"

Talking about Baldur's Gate has a half-orc community, maybe we can find a half-orc brother for Joan and Furath
Evan "Your half-kraken brother"
Katya "The kraken is your dad"
Jim "He's Davy Jones"
Nick "He's got just a white tuft <of hair>"
Jim "A white tentacle"

Brittany is tired, but caffeinated
Nick "You're tired, but faster"

Discussing selling the tea they brought
Evan "Emergen-tea"
Nick "I want to liquidate my tea"