Gods, Monsters, and Poor Life Choices // D&D

Session 17, Blood on the Dance Card pt.1

SESSION 172026-06-05

Date: 2026-06-05

Summary

The evening began with a reminder of the bargain struck with Lady Violet, the inheritor of the Szarr estate. In exchange for curing Velessa of her infernal gut parasite through a dark ritual, the party had agreed to escort the noblewoman safely to and from a grand ball at the Silvershield manor. The ritual had left its mark on Velessa — her mechanical arm and leg had been replaced by flesh and bone, but her eyes had turned a vivid, unsettling red, and she now bore the subtle hunger of a dhampir, requiring a small measure of blood to sustain herself.

Before the party could even begin preparing for the evening, the three young wards of the household — Nysene, Russora, and Kaela — came tumbling in with wide eyes and pleading voices, begging to be taken along to the ball. Vagnfríður shut the idea down immediately, reminding them that they were still grounded for a recent stunt in which the girls had transformed themselves into elderly women and accused her of kidnapping them in public, resulting in the City Watch questioning her in the street. The girls protested loudly, arguing that their late mother had always let them attend such events, and that it would be educational.

The debate grew more heated when Nysene and Russora demonstrated their growing magical abilities by transforming their appearances into perfect likenesses of Velessa and Seris, hoping to impress their guardians into relenting. Velessa was genuinely impressed by the display but held firm, warning the girls that the ball was likely to be targeted by Gur monster hunters — ruthless and indiscriminate killers who would not stop to ask questions. Russora, undeterred, summoned an imp from thin air on the spot, and Velessa suggested the girls could use their familiars to spy on the event from the safety of home. Vagnfríður was not amused by this suggestion. Eventually, the party redirected the girls toward the Chosen of Jergal who lived in their house, suggesting they spend the evening pestering her for lessons in necromancy instead, and the three scampered off with suspicious enthusiasm.

With the wards handled, the party turned to the matter of preparing for the evening. Velessa sought fashion advice from Elowyn, ultimately choosing the more revealing of her two dress options after a two-to-one vote. Vagnfríður selected a formal ensemble that drew comparisons to her northern heritage, while Seris opted to attend in her usual attire. The question of weapons sparked a lively debate — Vagnfríður refused to part with her axe under any circumstances, arguing that they had been hired for security and could hardly provide it unarmed. Séantal suggested more discreet options, such as daggers hidden in braided hair, while Velessa revealed she was not wearing shoes at all, claiming she had affixed magical adhesive pads to her bare feet in lieu of footwear she claimed was simply unavailable in the city, though she was actually just barefoot and making excuses for it.

The party made their way to the Szarr estate, where Lady Violet received them in her throne room with cool approval, complimenting their appearances and noting that they looked like proper patriarchs. Seris was designated as Violet's personal escort for the evening, taking the noblewoman's offered hand with a small bow, though notably without the expected kiss. Violet observed the breach of protocol with a raised eyebrow but said nothing further, and the group set off through the dark, foggy streets of the High City toward the Silvershield manor.

They did not get far before trouble found them. As the group moved through a shadowed alleyway, Vagnfríður's sharp ears caught the clatter of roof tiles overhead, and Seris glimpsed a shadow darting across the rooftops. Seris quietly warned Lady Violet and urged the others to investigate. Vagnfríður leaped up to the rooftops while Velessa, drawing on her new dhampir nature, simply walked straight up the vertical wall of the alleyway as if gravity were a suggestion. On the rooftop, she found a woman crouched in the darkness with a longbow at the ready, waiting in ambush. The hunter's eyes narrowed at the sight of Velessa's red eyes and fangs, and she turned her bow on her.

Moments later, a second figure stepped forward from the shadows below — Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor of the Gur — and addressed Lady Violet directly, declaring that the hunters had been waiting for her to step out into the open. Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor told Seris and Séantal that she had no quarrel with them, only with the vampire they traveled with. She cited the death of her own brother at the hands of Cazador Szarr as her motivation, viewing Lady Violet as his living legacy. Séantal attempted to reason with her, citing Violet's status as a patriarch of Baldur's Gate and the laws of the city, but Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor dismissed their authority entirely. Séantal, having heard enough, simply started blasting her before she could finish her speech.

The alleyway erupted into chaos. Velessa entered her war dance and cut down one of the hunters with radiant strikes from her magical blade. Seris moved Lady Violet away from the melee and positioned herself as a living shield between the noblewoman and the hunters. Vagnfríður entered a fury, leaped over a fence, and tore into the remaining hunters with reckless, devastating axe strikes. Séantal placed a curse on Suriya to hamper her movements and continued to blast her with eldritch energy. When Suriya finally dropped her glaive and raised her hands in surrender, the fight seemed to be over.

It was not. Lady Violet, ignoring the yield entirely, grappled Suriya with sharpened claws and sank her fangs into the woman's neck. Seris, who had warned she would not stand by while a surrendered prisoner was killed, made good on her word and drove her blade into Violet's back. The party fractured instantly — Séantal, bound by their contract to protect Violet, turned their power against Seris, while Seris declared Lady Violet under arrest for murder. Violet hissed down at them, scaled the alleyway wall with unnatural speed to reach the rooftops, and Seris took to the sky to match her elevation, leaving the rest of the party in the alleyway below.

Vagnfríður used a newly mastered ability to drag a fleeing Gur hunter back to her side before she could escape, then cut her down. Velessa finished the last standing hunter with a precise strike, stealing the kill from Vagnfríður in the process. Then, in a move that stunned everyone, Séantal knelt beside the fallen Suriya and brought her back from death entirely, restoring her to life as a gesture of de-escalation. With the revived Suriya bound hand and foot with rope, Séantal called out to both Seris and Violet to stand down and speak like rational people.

Lady Violet demanded a verbal amendment to their contract before she would agree to continue — she wanted explicit assurance that she would also be protected from Seris. Séantal agreed, and Violet descended from the rooftop, brushing herself off with cold composure. When a member of the City Watch eventually wandered by, Séantal reported the attack, and Lady Violet explained to the officer that a group of assassins had attempted to end her life, only to be nobly repelled by her bodyguards. The Watch took the bound Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor into custody without further question, and the group continued on to the Silvershield estate.

The Grand Ballroom of the Silvershield manor was everything the family's reputation promised — opulent, gleaming, and filled with the city's elite. Velessa was swept onto the dance floor by Lady Violet almost immediately, finding herself sharing the space with Grand Duke Wyll Ravengard himself, who was dancing with Lady Argenta Bourmoul. Vagnfríður, deeply uncomfortable in the social setting, made a beeline for the buffet table and stayed there. Séantal began a careful circuit of the room, identifying familiar faces and noting points of interest.

Séantal made their way to Saresha Imravel, who was standing with Reigra Clawcroft and a surprisingly tall goblin merchant named Becka Bitesize, a representative from Lantan who was in the city to introduce Lantanese technology to the Gondians. Velessa joined them shortly after, exchanging a business card with Becka and noting with amusement that Reigra's bold tiger-print dress and Vagnfríður's formal attire were almost mirror images of each other — the black and the stripes lining up in a strangely complementary way. Reigra laughed it off and thanked the party again for saving her bar, while Becka expressed genuine interest in visiting the Moon and Measure to examine drow-made mechanical prosthetics.

Séantal eventually drifted toward Duke Raketh Glitterbeard, who was in conversation with Lady Alia Durinbold, a member of the Parliament of Peers. Something about the woman immediately set Séantal on edge. She avoided direct eye contact, seemed preoccupied with things happening elsewhere in the room even when nothing of note was occurring, and for one brief, unsettling moment, her diadem appeared to flicker — as if the table behind her were visible through it. More disturbing still, Séantal recognized her face. It was a pristine, living version of the decayed corpse they had discovered in the sewers. Duke Glitterbeard, oblivious to Séantal's unease, cheerfully invited them for a personal tour of the Counting House, noting that Lady Aaliyah had also been discussing a sizable deposit. Séantal accepted with measured politeness and stepped away, filing the encounter away for later.

Velessa, meanwhile, had spotted a familiar face in the corner of the ballroom — Mizora, standing beside a drow woman of unmistakable bearing. Mizora introduced her companion as Minthara Baenre, of House Baenre — the ruling house of Menzoberranzan, Velessa's former home city. Minthara was cold, regal, and immediately curious about why Velessa had abandoned the name of House Xilraen for a surface house of artisans. Velessa explained her religious conversion, her adoption, and her recent transformation into a dhampir, and Minthara listened with the focused attention of someone cataloguing information. She urged Velessa to stop neglecting the social power available to her in Baldur's Gate, arguing that such influence was easily gathered for those with the wit to pursue it. When Velessa mentioned her training in the arts of Eilistraee, Minthara left the name hanging in the air with a weighted silence that said everything she chose not to say aloud. Velessa excused herself as gracefully as she could manage and retreated to the buffet table, where she admitted to her companions that she had just spoken to the princess of her entire society and was approximately ninety percent certain she had not pissed herself.

The evening wound toward its final social obligation when Séantal approached the Silvershield siblings, Entar IV and Alisara, who were deeply engrossed in their own animated conversation near a refreshment table. Séantal interjected with exaggerated politeness, complimenting the extravagance of their home and noting that Lady Violet had vastly undersold it. The siblings acknowledged the party with cool curiosity, questioning Séantal's lack of an established family industry before Velessa joined the conversation and attempted to charm them with compliments about their striking eyes. Alisara's gaze eventually dropped to Velessa's bare feet, and her expression shifted into something between disdain and theatrical horror. She informed the party that the Silvershield estate had a dress code, and that shoes were the bare minimum expected to avoid being confused with low city rabble. Before anyone could respond, she turned back to her brother and resumed their private conversation as if the party had already left. Séantal quietly suggested they move on, and the group dispersed back into the glittering crowd as the night continued to unfold around them.

Short

The evening centered on the party's obligation to escort Lady Violet, inheritor of the Szarr estate, to a grand ball at the Silvershield manor — a duty owed in exchange for curing Velessa of her infernal gut parasite, a ritual that had replaced her mechanical limbs with flesh and bone while leaving her with vivid red eyes and the hunger of a dhampir. Before departing, the party's three young wards attempted to talk their way into attending the ball, going so far as to shapeshift into likenesses of Velessa and Seris and summoning an imp on the spot, but were firmly redirected toward necromancy lessons at home. The group then prepared for the evening — debating weapons, fashion, and Velessa's unconventional choice to attend barefoot, which she attempted to excuse by lying about using magical adhesive pads — before collecting Lady Violet from the Szarr estate and setting off through the foggy streets of the High City.

Trouble arrived quickly when Gur monster hunters ambushed the party in a shadowed alleyway, led by Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan, who held Lady Violet responsible for her brother's death at Cazador Szarr's hands. The fight was swift and brutal, but when Suriya surrendered, Lady Violet ignored the yield and fed on her anyway, prompting Seris to drive her blade into Violet's back and the party to fracture along contractual lines. The crisis was defused when Séantal revived the fallen Suriya and brokered a tense verbal ceasefire, with Violet demanding explicit protection from Seris before agreeing to continue. The bound Suriya was handed off to the City Watch, and the group pressed on to the Silvershield manor. At the ball, key encounters included Séantal identifying a noblewoman, Lady Alia Durenbold, as a living version of a corpse previously found in the sewers, Velessa navigating an unexpectedly charged conversation with Minthara Baenre of Menzoberranzan's ruling house, and the group receiving a chilly dismissal from the Silvershield siblings after Alisara took offense at Velessa's bare feet.

Classic

Last we left off, our party found themselves bound by a devil's bargain — having cured Velessa of her infernal affliction through a dark ritual that left her reborn as something new: flesh where metal once was, crimson eyes where brown had been, and a hunger that could only be sated by blood. In exchange, they had pledged their swords and their presence to escort the cold and imperious Lady Violet, inheritor of the Szarr estate, to a grand ball at the Silvershield manor. But before the evening could even begin, the three young wards of the household — Nysene, Russora, and Kaela — made their case to attend, demonstrating their growing magical talents by shapeshifting into perfect likenesses of their guardians. The party held firm, redirecting the girls toward their resident Chosen of Jergal for necromantic lessons, and turned their attention to the far more pressing matter of getting dressed.

The journey to the Silvershield manor was interrupted before it had truly begun. Gur monster hunters, led by the grieving Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan, had been lying in wait — and the alleyway erupted into violence. Velessa walked up walls and cut down hunters with radiant fury, Vagnfríður raged across rooftops and fences with devastating abandon, and Séantal cursed and blasted with cold precision. When Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor finally yielded, Lady Violet ignored the surrender entirely and sank her fangs into the woman's neck — and Seris, true to her word, drove her blade into Violet's back in response. The party fractured, contracts clashed against conscience, and the rooftops of the High City became a stage for a very different kind of negotiation. In the end, Séantal brought Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor back from death entirely, the Watch took her into custody, and Lady Violet descended from the rooftop with the composure of someone who had merely been inconvenienced.

The Silvershield ballroom proved to be a battlefield of an entirely different sort. Vagnfríður fortified herself at the buffet table. Séantal identified a woman — Lady Aaliyah Durenbold — whose face matched a rotting corpse they had found in the sewers, and whose diadem flickered like a trick of the light. Velessa found herself face to face with Minthara Baenre of the ruling house of Menzoberranzan, who catalogued her life choices with the focused attention of a predator and left the name of Eilistraee hanging in the air like a blade. And the evening concluded with the Silvershield siblings dismissing the party with aristocratic contempt — Alisara's final word on the matter being that Velessa's bare feet (which she had tried to excuse with a lie about magical pads) were an affront to the dress code. The night is far from over, and the threads pulled loose this evening are certain to unravel into something far more dangerous before long...

Memorable Moments

"I just talked to the princess of my entire society and didn't piss myself."
— Velessa

Rushing back to her companions at the buffet table, visibly shaken after her unexpected encounter with Minthara Baenre of House Baenre.

Séantal blasted Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor mid-monologue, interrupting her speech about the Gur's mandate to hunt monsters before she could finish.

Séantal, fed up with the hunter's speech about the law not superseding their mandate, simply started blasting her in the face each time she opened her mouth.

Seris turned her blade against Lady Violet — their own employer — after Violet executed a surrendered Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan with her fangs.

Seris had warned she would not stand by while a surrendered prisoner was killed. When Violet ignored the yield and bit into Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor's neck, Seris made good on her word.

Séantal cast revivify on the very hunter they had just killed, bringing Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor back to life to serve as a peace offering to Seris and prevent a full party breakdown.

With Seris flying 90 feet in the air and Violet hissing from a rooftop, Séantal made the pragmatic and shocking decision to undo a death mid-conflict.

Velessa used her new dhampir ability to casually walk straight up the alleyway wall to confront the Gur hunter waiting in ambush on the rooftop.

The party had just detected movement on the rooftops. Rather than climbing, Velessa simply walked up the vertical wall, startling the hunter who had been waiting to ambush Lady Violet.

"It costs her an arm and a leg to get that thing cured."
— Seris

Deadpan reaction upon hearing that Velessa's infernal parasite cure caused her to regrow her natural arm and leg, replacing her mechanical prosthetics.

Minthara Baenre, a drow noble from the ruling house of Menzoberranzan, was revealed to be attending the Silvershield ball as a patriar of Baldur's Gate.

Velessa spotted Mizora with a drow companion and approached, only to be introduced to one of the most powerful names from her former home city.

Séantal realized that Lady Aaliyah Durenbold — a living, well-dressed guest at the ball — bore the exact face of a decayed corpse they had previously found in the sewers.

During a careful investigation of the guest, Séantal noticed her diadem flickering as if transparent and connected her face to a grim discovery from a previous adventure.

Scenes

Recap and Consequences of the Ritual

The GM recaps the deal with Lady Violet and the aftermath of Velessa's infernal ritual transformation.

The GM recaps the deal with Lady Violet: the party agreed to escort her to a ball at the Silvershield mansion in exchange for curing Velessa's infernal gut parasite.
Velessa's transformation is detailed — she is now a dhampir with red eyes and pointed fangs, and has regrown her natural arm and leg, losing her mechanical prosthetics.
The party confirms their obligation to ensure Lady Violet arrives and departs the ball safely without her true nature being revealed.

The Wards' Request

The Eomane sisters and Kaela beg to accompany the party to the Silvershield ball, leading to a debate about discipline and safety.

Nysene, Russora, and Kaela plead to attend the ball, claiming it would be educational for their high society training.
Vagnfríður refuses, citing that the girls are grounded for a previous stunt involving transforming into old ladies to accuse her of kidnapping, which resulted in the City Watch questioning her.
The girls demonstrate their magical progress by using magic to disguise themselves as Velessa and Seris.
Velessa warns the girls to stay home, citing the danger of a potential attack by Gur monster hunters at the event.
Russora demonstrates her magical aptitude by summoning an imp on the spot.
The party eventually convinces the girls to stay home by suggesting they practice their magic and study under the Chosen of Jergal instead.
A brief debate occurs between party members regarding the classification of healing magic as necromancy.

Planning for the Silvershield Ball

The party discusses their strategy for escorting Lady Violet to the upcoming gala at the Silvershield estate.

The party debates who will act as Lady Violet's personal escort, with Velessa and Seris being the primary candidates.
Séantal notes that they will be mingling amongst the crowd and keeping watch, while one or two members escort Violet directly.
Vagnfríður expresses concern about blending in and being made a center of attention due to her exotic appearance.
The GM provides details on the Silvershield family, describing them as deeply old money humans who represent the peak of Baldur's Gate high society.
The party reviews the map and the route from the Szarr estate to the Silvershield estate in the Upper City.
The GM notes that non-human patriarchs are rare and often looked down upon by more traditional human patriarchs.

Dressing for the Ball

The party prepares for their escort mission by selecting formal attire and debating the necessity of bringing weapons to a high-society event.

Velessa seeks fashion advice from Ellowyn to decide between two different dress options, ultimately choosing the more revealing one.
Vagnfríður selects a formal outfit, though the group debates whether her northern furs would be too hot for the Mediterranean climate of Baldur's Gate.
The group debates whether they should carry visible weapons, with Vagnfríður insisting on keeping her axe for security purposes.
Séantal suggests more discreet methods of concealment, such as sword canes or daggers hidden in hair braids.
Velessa reveals she is not wearing shoes, instead claiming to use magical adhesive pads on her feet as an excuse, though she is actually just barefoot.
The group jokes about crafting Velessa a metal boot from her family's smithing expertise.

Meeting Lady Violet and the Walk to the Ball

The party meets Lady Violet at the Szarr estate before setting off through the foggy High City streets toward the Silvershield manor.

The party arrives at the Szarr estate and is shown into Lady Violet's throne room, where she greets them and compliments their appearance.
Seris is designated as Lady Violet's official date and escort for the evening, taking her hand with a small bow.
Lady Violet notes that certain protocols, such as kissing her hand, were ignored.
While walking through a dark and foggy alleyway in the High City, Vagnfríður hears a clatter of roof tiles and Seris spots a shadow moving across the rooftops.
Seris quietly warns Lady Violet that someone is on the roofs and suggests the others investigate.
Vagnfríður leaps up to the rooftops while Velessa uses her new dhampir climbing ability to walk directly up the wall.
Velessa confronts a Gur hunter on the rooftop who was crouched with a longbow readied, waiting to ambush Lady Violet.
The hunter identifies Velessa as a 'foul creature' due to her red eyes and fangs before turning her bow on Velessa.

Ambush in the Alleyway

The party is ambushed by Gur monster hunters while escorting Lady Violet to the Silvershield ball, leading to a chaotic skirmish.

Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan of the Gur steps forward and confronts Lady Violet, declaring that the Gur have been waiting for her to step out into the open.
Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor addresses Seris and Séantal, stating she has no quarrel with them, only with the 'foul beast' they travel with.
Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor reveals her motivation: Cazador Szarr was responsible for the death of her brother, and she views Lady Violet as his likeness.
Séantal attempts to reason with the hunters, citing the laws of Baldur's Gate and Lady Violet's status as a patriarch, but Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor rejects their authority.
The confrontation turns violent when Séantal blasts Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor mid-monologue, catching her while she was still talking.
Velessa enters a war dance and strikes down one of the hunters with radiant magical sword attacks.
Lady Violet retaliates against Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor, digging sharpened claws into her and attempting to bite her neck, though the bite is ruled invalid as Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor was not grappled or restrained.
Seris moves Lady Violet away from the melee and positions herself as a shield between Violet and the hunters.
Vagnfríður enters a rage, leaps over a fence, and recklessly attacks the remaining hunters with her axe, leaving them heavily wounded.
Séantal places a hex on Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor targeting her dexterity before continuing to blast her with eldritch energy.
Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor drops her glaive and holds up her hands, yielding to the party.

Betrayal and Internal Conflict

Lady Violet ignores Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor's surrender and attacks her, causing Seris to turn her blade against their own employer.

Despite Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor's surrender, Lady Violet uses spider climb to close the distance, grapples Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor with her claws, and bites into her neck.
Seris, appalled by the execution of a surrendered foe, warns that she is attacking anyone who breaks the conditions she set, then strikes Lady Violet with a divine smite.
Séantal, prioritizing the legal binding of their contract to protect Violet, transfers the hex to Seris and fires a blast at their own ally.
Seris declares Lady Violet under arrest for murder, while Séantal argues that Violet acted in legal self-defense.
Lady Violet uses spider climb to scale the alleyway wall and retreat to the safety of a rooftop, hissing down at Seris.
Seris summons her magical cape and takes to the sky, matching Lady Violet's elevation.
Velessa flies up on her sword to hover between her companions and attempt to mediate.
Vagnfríður uses a mystical ability to teleport a fleeing Gur hunter back into her reach, preventing her escape, then cuts her down.
Velessa finishes the last standing Gur hunter with a precise magical strike, stealing the kill from Vagnfríður.
Séantal uses revivify to bring the fallen Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor back to life, intending to de-escalate the conflict with Seris.
Séantal binds the revived Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor with rope to prevent further violence.

Aftermath and the Watch

The party deals with the fallout of the ambush and the internal conflict, negotiating with Lady Violet and handing Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor over to the City Watch.

Lady Violet accuses the party of being traitors after Seris's attack on her.
Séantal persuades Lady Violet to remain calm and continue the mission, arguing that no oaths or moral tenets in the contract were technically violated.
Lady Violet demands a further verbal amendment to the contract ensuring she is also protected from Seris before agreeing to proceed.
A member of the City Watch arrives and takes the bound Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan into custody after the party reports the attempted assassination of a patriarch.
Lady Violet explains to the Watch that a group of assassins tried to end her life but her bodyguards nobly defended her.
The party continues on to the Silvershield estate.

Arrival at the Silvershield Ball

The party arrives at the Silvershield mansion and begins to mingle with the high society of Baldur's Gate.

The party enters the Grand Ballroom of the Silvershield estate, noting the opulent atmosphere and numerous guests.
Velessa takes Lady Violet's hand and is led out onto the dance floor to fulfill her role as an escort.
Grand Duke Wyll Ravengard is spotted dancing with Lady Argenta Bourmoul on the dance floor.
Both Silvershield siblings, Entar IV and Alisara, are also seen on the dance floor.
Vagnfríður retreats to the buffet table to cope with her social discomfort.
Séantal begins to mingle, moving along the perimeter of the room to identify key figures and acquaintances.
The party spots several familiar faces, including Saresha Imravel, Reigra Clawcroft, and a goblin merchant named Becka Bitesize.
Clonk, one of Mad Maggie's kenku associates, is also spotted among the guests.

Mingling and a Suspicious Guest

Séantal and Velessa mingle with familiar faces and Séantal notices something deeply unsettling about one of the guests.

Séantal introduces themselves to Saresha Imravel, Reigra Clawcroft, and Becka Bitesize.
Velessa breaks away from her dance with Lady Violet to join the group, exchanging a business card with Becka and discussing drow-made mechanical prosthetics.
Velessa and Reigra notice they are wearing strikingly similar tiger-print outfits, leading to a playful comparison.
Séantal observes Lady Aaliyah Durenbold speaking with Duke Raketh Glitterbeard, noticing that she seems preoccupied and avoids direct eye contact.
On a successful investigation check, Séantal notices that Lady Aaliyah's diadem appears to flicker momentarily, as if transparent.
Séantal realizes that Lady Aaliyah's face is a pristine, living version of a decayed corpse they previously discovered in the sewers.
Duke Raketh Glitterbeard invites Séantal for a personal tour of the Counting House to discuss security, noting that Lady Aaliyah was also planning a sizable deposit.
Séantal accepts the invitation and steps away, noting they have no intention of making a scene at the ball.

A Meeting of Drow Nobles

Velessa approaches Mizora and is introduced to the legendary Minthara Baenre, leading to a tense conversation about heritage and power.

Velessa spots Mizora standing in the corner of the ballroom with a drow woman and approaches them.
Mizora introduces Velessa to Minthara Baenre, a drow noble from House Baenre — the ruling house of Menzoberranzan, Velessa's former home.
Minthara questions Velessa's abandonment of her former house name, Xilraen, and her transition to a surface house.
Velessa explains her recent transformation into a dhampir due to an infernal ritual involving the Szarr family.
Minthara reveals she has been away from Menzoberranzan for some time and does not plan to return, pursuing interests on the surface.
Minthara urges Velessa to cultivate social power, arguing that neglecting such easily gathered influence is wasteful.
Velessa explains she prefers learning magic and making things over social climbing, identifying herself as a sword singer trained in the arts of Eilistraee.
Minthara leaves the mention of Eilistraee hanging with a weighted silence.
Mizora remarks that she enjoys watching the quiet, polite backstabbing of high society from a distance.
Velessa departs the conversation feeling shaken and rejoins her companions at the buffet table.

Buffet Table Debrief and the Silvershield Introduction

The party regroups at the refreshment table before attempting a formal introduction to their hosts, the Silvershield siblings.

Velessa admits to her friends that she was terrified during her conversation with Minthara, a princess of her entire society.
Séantal offers Velessa a drink to help her relax, while Vagnfríður worries about her low alcohol tolerance.
The group briefly discusses the suspicious character Séantal spotted earlier, deciding to remain vigilant without causing a scene.
Séantal approaches the Silvershield siblings, Entar IV and Alisara, who are deeply engrossed in their own animated conversation near a refreshment table.
Séantal uses over-polite language to interject, noting that Lady Violet had vastly undersold the extravagance of their home.
Entar IV and Alisara acknowledge the party, questioning Séantal's family background and industry.
Séantal explains they are the sole surviving member of their family and are working to establish their name.
Velessa joins the conversation, discussing her family's prosthetic industry and complimenting the Silvershields' striking eyes.
Alisara Silvershield notices Velessa is barefoot and expresses open disdain, warning that the next time they attend they should wear shoes to avoid being confused with 'low city rabble'.
The Silvershields abruptly return to their private conversation, effectively dismissing the party.

NPCs

Lady Violet

The inheritor of the Szarr estate who contracted the party to serve as her discreet security and escorts for the Silvershield ball. She revealed a ruthless streak by executing a surrendered Gur hunter, leading to a violent disagreement among her hired escorts. She possesses vampiric abilities including claws, a bite, and spider climb. She demanded a verbal amendment to the contract to ensure protection from Seris before agreeing to continue to the ball.

Nysene Eomane

The eldest Eomane daughter, currently grounded, who eagerly argues for attending the ball and demonstrates her magical progress by transforming into Velessa's likeness.

Russora Eomane

The youngest Eomane daughter, also grounded, who demonstrates her magical aptitude by summoning an imp on the spot and expresses interest in learning necromancy.

Kaela

A young ward and close friend to the Eomane sisters who joins in begging to attend the Silvershield ball.

Quillbit

Velessa's imp familiar who briefly materializes to complain about her recent traumatic experience in the Hells, expressing that she never wants to go back.

Elowyn Velavent

A dark-haired woman living with the party who assists Velessa in choosing her formal attire for the evening, expressing a personal preference for one of the dress options.

Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan

A leader of the Gur monster hunters who ambushed the party in a High City alleyway. She is driven by a vendetta against the Szarr family, citing the death of her brother at the hands of Cazador Szarr. She yielded during combat but was executed by Lady Violet, then revived by Séantal and handed over to the City Watch.

Gur Hunters

A group of specialized monster hunters who targeted Lady Violet, viewing her as a foul creature of the night. Several were killed during the ambush, and their leader Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor was taken into custody by the City Watch.

Wyll Ravengard

The Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate, seen dancing in the ballroom with Lady Argenta Bourmoul. He carries a rapier that appears almost ceremonial and is noted as one of the non-traditional patriarchs who faces scrutiny from conservative human nobility.

Saresha Imravel

The public face of the Imravel Exchange, attending the ball in fine attire. She is friendly and facilitates introductions between the party and her companions, Reigra Clawcroft and Becka Bitesize.

Reigra Clawcroft

The owner of the Rat's Run Inn, attending the ball in a bold tiger-print dress that mirrors Vagnfríður's aesthetic. She recognizes the party from when they protected her bar and shares a friendly rapport with Saresha.

Becka Bitesize

A surprisingly tall goblin merchant from Lantan who is in Baldur's Gate to introduce Lantanese technology to the Gondians. She is irreverent and enthusiastic, expressing interest in drow-made mechanical prosthetics after receiving Velessa's business card.

Clonk

One of Mad Maggie's kenku associates, spotted among the guests at the Silvershield ball.

Duke Raketh Glitterbeard

A high-ranking official associated with the Counting House who manages Séantal's new financial account. He was speaking with Lady Aaliyah Durenbold about a sizable deposit and invited Séantal for a personal tour of the bank's facilities.

Lady Alia Durenbold

A member of the Parliament of Peers whose appearance is unsettlingly identical to a decayed corpse previously found in the sewers, though she appears fully alive at the ball. Her diadem appeared to flicker momentarily as if transparent, and she seemed preoccupied and avoided direct eye contact.

Mizora

A figure posing as a noblewoman, seen standing in the corner of the ballroom with Minthara Baenre. She introduced Velessa to Minthara and remarked that she enjoys watching the quiet, polite backstabbing of high society from a distance.

Minthara Baenre

A formidable drow noblewoman from House Baenre — the ruling house of Menzoberranzan — who has become a political force in Baldur's Gate. She is cold, regal, and focused on the cultivation of power, urging Velessa to stop neglecting the social influence available to her. She revealed she has been away from Menzoberranzan for some time and does not plan to return.

Entar IV Silvershield

One of the heirs to the Silvershield estate, possessing striking family eyes. He was deeply engrossed in conversation with his sister Alisara when the party approached and was dismissive of Séantal's lack of an established family industry.

Alisara Silvershield

An heir to the Silvershield estate, sharp-tongued and highly protective of high-society etiquette. She openly mocked Velessa for being barefoot and warned the party to wear shoes next time to avoid being confused with 'low city rabble,' before abruptly returning to her private conversation.

Lyra Porter

A Duke of the city who is one of the few guests at the ball notably carrying a sword.

Locations

Eomane House

The party's current residence in the Manorborn district, where they manage their young wards and prepare for the upcoming Silvershield ball.

Szarr Palace

The luxurious estate of Lady Violet, where the party meets her in her throne room to begin their escort mission to the Silvershield ball.

High City Alleyway

A dark, foggy passage in the prestigious High City of Baldur's Gate where the party was ambushed by Gur monster hunters while escorting Lady Violet.

Silvershield Manor

An extravagant estate in the Manorborn district belonging to one of the oldest and wealthiest human patriarch families in Baldur's Gate. The Grand Ballroom features high ceilings, elegant decor, and large curtains opened to let in the moonlight, and is filled with the city's elite.

Items

Magical Foot Pads

A fictional item Velessa claimed to use to protect her feet, serving as an excuse for being completely barefoot.

Contract with Violet

A legal document outlining the party's duties as escorts for Lady Violet. It became a central point of contention when Seris attacked Violet after she executed a surrendered Gur hunter, prompting a debate about whether any oaths or moral tenets had been violated. A verbal amendment was added to extend protection to Lady Violet from Seris as well.

Rope

Standard hempen rope used by Séantal to bind the hands and feet of the revived Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan, preventing her from fleeing before the City Watch arrived.

Velessa's Business Card

A card representing House Vaeltharyn, specializing in drow-made mechanical prosthetics, which Velessa gave to Becka Bitesize at the Silvershield ball.

Alia's Diadem

A piece of jewelry worn by Lady Alia Durenbold that flickered momentarily during Séantal's investigation, appearing briefly transparent as if it might be an illusion.

Ten-foot Ladder

A cumbersome piece of equipment Shane is noted to be carrying, contributing to him being over-encumbered.

Spells

Alter Self

Used by Nysene and Russora to magically transform their appearances into those of Velessa and Seris respectively, demonstrating their growing magical proficiency to the party.

Spider Climb

Used by Velessa to walk directly up the wall of the alleyway to reach the Gur ambushers on the rooftop. Lady Violet also used this ability to scale the alleyway wall and retreat to a rooftop during the combat.

Hex

Cast by Séantal on Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan, targeting her dexterity to hamper her combat effectiveness. The hex was later transferred to Seris during the internal conflict, and its lingering magical effect remained visible on Seris even while she was flying high above the party.

Shield

Cast by Velessa to conjure a shimmering dome of force that deflected a heavy greatsword strike from a Gur hunter, causing the hunter to growl in frustration.

Divine Smite

Used by Seris to infuse her weapon with holy power and strike Lady Violet after witnessing the noblewoman execute a surrendered Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan.

Revivify

Cast by Séantal to restore Suriya “Red-Knife” Ghaelor Galan to life shortly after her death, intended to de-escalate the conflict with Seris by ensuring the Gur leader faced legal justice rather than execution.

True Strike

Employed by Velessa to ensure her final blow against the last standing Gur hunter was accurate, finishing the combat.