At this point they were going to have to start making some serious moves to deal with the larger situation. Gortash and Orin had both made moves to try to enlist Jasper’s aid against each other. But as noxious as he was, Gortash’s move had been persuasion and subtle threats while Orin’s had been kidnapping a team member for leverage and outright violence. There was no question who would be in the crosshairs first.
Their most promising lead towards Orin was the dwarven serial killer attempting to impress her cult. They had acquired a list of targets from his lodgings at the flophouse, and so began the task of tracking down each one and investigating. Some were unfortunately already dead – usually in horrifying conditions. Some they found alive, and urged to take appropriate precautions. And one… they found in mid-attack! He had paralyzed the owner of a rich apparel boutique, and was preparing to ritually slaughter him!
Fortunately Jasper was wise to his tricks, and they soon brought down the insane murderer. Among his belongings was a cryptic note directing seekers of Bhaal to prove themselves to a Tribunal – found by looking beneath the gravestones…
They eventually figured out that this meant “Candulhallow’s Tombstone Shop”, a seemingly abandoned shop which had once carved tombstones. Jasper located a hidden button which opened a secret door to a passage leading down.
The passage lead down into a sealed off section of the old sewers, where they found Death Knights guarding a large doorway.
They tried talking their way past, but they apparently hadn’t been quite murderous enough to prove themselves. So they had to do it the hard way…
Inside they found the Tribunal of Bhaal… led by an instantly recognizable figure. Sarevok. The feared Bhaalspawn who had plagued Baldur’s Gate a century ago. And accompanied by shadowed remnants of other Bhaalspawn sitting in judgement. He droned on self-importantly about Ascension to the Glory of Bhaal, before indicating Jaheira and Minsc and asking why Jasper had brought “heretics in their midst”
Jaheira and Minsc were *not* impressed. “Ah. Bhaal’s least favorite son. Still hiding behind Daddy’s skirts I see?”, commented Jaheira. Sarevok bellowed a bunch of nonsense about seizing destiny and the glory of Bhaal, before Jasper cut him off and asked Jaheira and Minsc, “Would you two like to kill the old man, or should I”.
Jaheira merely replied “When you get to be my age you’ve already done everything. Be my guest.”
Minsc’s answer was “We have already smashed Sarevok’s soul from his body once. Boo says its your turn.“
And so it was. While the others eliminated the shadowed Bhaalspawn supporting him.
Jasper introduced the unfortunate relic to how far his mental magic had really developed. It was no contest.
Exploring the tribunal chambers they found a sacrificial circle with the chained up Hollyphant Valeria! She was quite glad to be rescued, but also quite put-out that it had taken them so long…
They also located a map and instructions – intended for those who had been approved by the Tribunal – for how to locate Orin’s lair. Deep in the Undercity below the sewers. And they would require an Amulet of the Chosen to enter – which they gained by taking one off of Sarevok’s cooling corpse. The final bit of info was Sarevok’s journal – indicating that he was both Orin’s father… and her*mother’s* father. Ew. The girl really never had a chance.
Following the map, they came to a large bronze door with an embossed Skull – which came to life when presented with Sarevok’s amulet. It asked them what feats of murder they had used to impress the Tribunal. Jasper paused for a second, shrugged, and then responded, “We slaughtered the Tribunal…” The Skull was silent for a time, and then responded. “Unexpected. Rather unorthodox…. But we will allow it! A worthy murder indeed!”
Beyond the door was a passage which lead down to the Undercity. And Jasper could immediately sense they were being watched…
Soon a voice called out that “the Trial had begun”, and Bhaal cultists attacked from all around! And Jasper could just make out a sorcerer sprinting for the back while beginning summoning a very large, very dark spell of some kind. Jasper wasn’t sure what it was, but he was sure they did NOT want to see it completed.
Jaheira transformed to leap between clumps of nested snipers.
Shadowheart concentrated on more immediate foes.
Jasper confused and disoriented the main contingent.
While Minsc took off after the apparent sorcerer.
And as soon as the sorcerer went down, the remaining cultists vanished back into the shadows. Apparently they had passed the “trial”.
Continuing deeper into the gloom they came upon a large sacrificial chamber. Orin was waiting for them in the center, surrounded by chanting cultists. And near her, chained up as a sacrifice, was Lae’zel.
Orin appeared ready to sacrifice Lae’zel to Bhaal, but Jasper interrupted. “Weren’t you supposed to challenge *me* for possession of Ketheric’s netherstone? Isn’t that the sacrific Bhaal *actually* wants?” And she bought it. Hook, line, and sinker. Unfortunately what that meant was she changed into something else Minsc and Jaheira recognized. The Slayer of Bhaal.
Minsc immediately charged the Slayer, determined to keep it occupied.
Jaheira set to work on the chanting cultists, eliminating them so that they could no longer empower Orin.
Shadowheart snuck past to free Lae’zel. Hard to believe they had once been at each other’s throats.
And Lae’zel immediately joined the fight when free. No armor, no weapons… no problem.
But at this point Jasper had had quite enough. And when she was vulnerable, Jasper sent Orin to reunite with her father.
As she died there was a sign of anger in the air. Frustration and disappointment as once again Bhaal’s Chosen had failed again. And then silence.
They claimed her Netherstone – forged into an enchanted dagger, of course. And then began to make plans. They still needed to deal with Gortash, and with the Nether Brain. They would need strong allies for this. The time had come to choose. The Emperor would almost certainly *not* agree to freeing and allying with Orpheus. Orpheus would almost certainly wish to slay the Emperor if freed. Decisions, decisions.
This is (to me) a really interesting take on a Big Bad. Its not like Ketheric – where you’re fighting your way through an Army to get to him, and his “fallen knight” persona is understandable. Its almost more like Jon Irenicus. She’s manipulating you the whole way – toying with you even. She kidnaps a companion as leverage. She wants to become the avatar of a God… and she’s simultaneously very smart, very dangerous, and very, very insane. And the whole quest for leads to make your way to her is rather well done.
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