Adventure Background
Campaign Overview
Baldur’s Gate and the lands surrounding Elturel stand on the edge of catastrophe. Rumors spread of cult activity, dark omens, strange disappearances, and whispers of devils moving unseen.
What begins as a local mystery quickly unfolds into something far more dangerous: a story of faith, corruption, infernal power, and the fate of entire cities.
This is a dark fantasy campaign of political intrigue, infernal horror, heroic sacrifice, and difficult choices. Victory may require sacrifice. Sometimes the greatest danger is not the enemy you face, but the choices you make.
Player Agency
Your Story
This is not a fixed story with one correct ending. Your character’s background, alliances, beliefs, and decisions will shape how the campaign unfolds.
Your actions will determine:
- Who rises and who falls
- Which factions gain power
- What becomes of the cities you fight to protect
- How far you are willing to go when faced with infernal temptation
Every group’s journey into Avernus is different. You decide the outcomes, the consequences, and the cost of victory.
Table Setup
How We Play
The experience is cinematic and immersive. The campaign includes:
- Animated maps and environments using Beneos Battlemaps
- Syrinscape audio, including the original soundtrack for the adventure
- Dynamic lighting and environmental effects
- Organized journals, automation, and character tools
- Tactical combat and structured exploration
Roleplay is encouraged and supported. Exploration is structured so every player gets meaningful time in the spotlight. Combat can be dangerous, and not every challenge is meant to be solved through violence. Planning, negotiation, alliances, and retreat are often just as important.
Rules
Character Creation
Allowed Character Options
- Player’s Handbook 2024
- Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
- Heroes of Faerûn
- Options available in Foundry for this campaign
Each Player Should
- Create a character connected to the region around Elturel
- Establish ties to at least one faction
- Write a short backstory grounded in the setting
- Create or provide character and token art
- Discuss custom ideas with the DM before Session Zero
Backstory Hooks
NPC Connections
Before the campaign begins, your character may have a connection to one or more important figures tied to Elturel, Baldur’s Gate, or the growing darkness in the region. Choose at least one NPC connection.
Reya Mantlemorn Hellrider
A young and determined Hellrider, Reya is loyal, brave, and driven by a strong sense of duty. She believes deeply in the ideals of Elturel and the Hellriders.
Possible Hook: You trained alongside her, served with her, rivaled her, or were assigned to protect her.
Gideon Lightward Priest of Elturel
A respected priest who provides spiritual guidance to the Hellriders and the people of Elturel. He is seen as a steady voice of faith and leadership during uncertain times.
Possible Hook: You were an acolyte, trusted agent, student, critic, or devoted follower of his teachings.
Ontharr Frume Order of the Gauntlet
A bold and outspoken paladin of Torm, Ontharr is known for strength, conviction, and a larger-than-life personality. He is actively organizing efforts against cult activity in the region.
Possible Hook: You are a member of the Order, a recruited adventurer, or an ally who has fought beside him.
Ulder Ravengard Flaming Fist / Grand Duke
The powerful leader of the Flaming Fist and one of the Grand Dukes of Baldur’s Gate. Ravengard is disciplined, pragmatic, and deeply concerned with order and stability.
Possible Hook: You serve as a soldier, officer, scout, bodyguard, or agent supporting his mission.
Wellum Smith Blacksmith
A hardworking blacksmith from the outskirts of Elturel. Wellum is practical, dependable, and deeply loyal to his community.
Possible Hook: He supplied your gear, helped you in the past, or witnessed strange events you are investigating.
Billiam Straodwall Traveler and Storyteller
A loud, talkative traveler with a talent for storytelling and exaggeration. Billiam claims to have seen horrors in the wilds, though truth and embellishment are not always easy to separate.
Possible Hook: You traveled with him, owe him money, are owed money by him, or rely on him for rumors.
Vasha Hall Scout and Survivor
A sharp-eyed scout who has spent years navigating dangerous lands beyond civilization. Vasha trusts few people and relies on instinct over authority.
Possible Hook: You served as a fellow scout, saved her life, were saved by her, or earned her reluctant respect.
Ippon Watson Militia Soldier
A disciplined and no-nonsense member of the local militia, Ippon believes in duty, order, and protecting the innocent.
Possible Hook: You were comrades, trained together, served under him, or are held accountable by him.
Dara Refugee
A quiet and observant young refugee who has seen more than most her age. There is something unusual about her that draws attention, whether she wants it or not.
Possible Hook: You are sworn to protect her, met her during a past journey, or sense something mysterious about her.
Affiliations
Campaign Factions
Characters may begin connected to one of several factions active in the region. These affiliations help explain why your character is present when the story begins.
Hellriders
The Hellriders are the elite cavalry of Elturgard, sworn to defend Elturel and its surrounding lands. They are known for crimson and white armor and the blazing sun crest they carry into battle. Their name comes from a legendary charge into the Nine Hells alongside the angel Zariel.
Order of the Gauntlet
A coalition of holy warriors dedicated to destroying evil wherever it appears. They serve gods such as Torm, Tyr, Helm, and Hoar, and are known for unwavering conviction. Characters connected to the Order may be answering Ontharr Frume’s call to investigate cult activity near Elturel.
Flaming Fist
The mercenary army and law enforcement power of Baldur’s Gate. Led by Ulder Ravengard, they represent strength, order, and political authority. Characters may be soldiers, officers, bodyguards, scouts, or mercenaries seeking advancement.
Harpers
A secretive network dedicated to maintaining balance and opposing tyranny. Harper characters operate through subtlety, espionage, and careful manipulation of events rather than open military force.
Zhentarim
A powerful organization of merchants, spies, and opportunists. The Zhentarim thrive in uncertain times and seek profit, influence, and control through information, leverage, and strategy.
Player Tools
Campaign Notes and Journals
Players will receive access to a private Notion campaign notes page. This page is shared only with the campaign group.
- Write a personal character journal
- Track NPCs, locations, and factions
- Add notes about clues, rumors, and discoveries
- Keep player-side campaign information organized
Table Expectations
Safety Tools
Descent into Avernus is dark fantasy. It may include devils, infernal influence, moral corruption, temptation, violence, war, religious conflict, political manipulation, and high-stakes decisions.
We Will Use
- Private 1-on-1 discussion of boundaries during Session Zero
- Mutual respect at the table
- Open communication at any time
- A PG-13 to Age-17 tone
Not Part of This Game
- Sexual content or explicit encounters
- Sexual harassment or abuse
- Graphic torture or cruelty
- Real-world hate or discrimination
- Player-vs-player hostility
Checklist
Before Session Zero
- Schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with the DM
- Join the Discord server
- Log into Foundry through play.dragorussogames.com
- Review this campaign primer
- Choose your character concept and faction connection
- Choose at least one NPC connection
- Build your character using approved sources
- Prepare character and token art
- Discuss boundaries privately during Session Zero