A0: Introductions Are In Order

The Adventurers:

Daisee (kinder)-trickster	Ripped from her homeland thru a ‘red’ portal that opened near a dragon’s den.
Diero (human)-druid	Crewmember on the Arc-Maiden, stopping at various ports and islands. Opportunities to study and catalog various plants and animals peeking my druidic interests. Till that fateful trip our quartermaster let the food spoil, weakening us, such that we were no match for the pirate attack. I was knocked overboard but could hear the crew losing the battle, surely killed every last one. No longer trusting of others till they prove themselves. Walked inland to pursue my druid calling. But the call of the sea brought me back...not to sail but to seek out that damn pirate Captain Zaroum Al-Saryak, rumored to be in Chult.
Dyxon (halfling)-monk	a hands-on kinda short guy
Fukheen (elf)-ranger	His last century-old childhood memories of Chult were his parents securing his passage aboard the last ship out of Mesro during the ‘spell plague’.
Kevarniv (human)-wizard	An Archaeologist turned wizard
Sudieman (human)-cleric	Always dreamed of being a great warpriest.  However he messed up his job as ship quartermaster and the food spoiled causing the crew to get sick and many to die in battle.  He now sees his mission to correct that error and will lay down his life in defense of the party members.  He will always be the last to leave the fight if the party flees. However, the trauma has left him with an impatience for puzzles that if he cannot solve immediately, he wants to leave and go somewhere else.  He also now has a temper against things that wrong him.  Also, although LG he believes that a fiction told to benefit the greater good is okay.

It is now the last day of April 1494 DR (Dale Reckoning). How, why, or when each came to Baldur’s Gate is their story.

For the past several days, the talk of the streets and taverns has all been about the so-called death curse: a wasting disease afflicting everyone who's ever been raised from the dead. Victims grow thinner and weaker each day, slowly but steadily sliding toward the death they once denied. When they finally succumb, they can't be raised, no matter the time-span since their resurrection (days or centuries are equal). Temples and scholars of divine magic are at a loss to explain a curse that has affected the entire region, and possibly the entire world.

Then each hear rumors of a local merchant that is putting together an expedition to Chult. You are told to be at the home of renowned retired adventure, merchant, and local legend, Syndra Silvane at 8 in the morning tomorrow.

Each individual is gathered into the waiting room. Strangers. An elf sitting in a corner chair playing his pan-flute...well, if you CAN call that playing. Till a familiar voice is recognized and Diero springs to his feet, “YOU Calashite?! I thought fate was kind in killing you during the pirate attack. But your survival suggests maybe you were in bed with the pirates and purposefully poisoned the food!” Sudieman turns at the accusation, “Well met my mahogany shipmate. You are a surprise as I thought myself the lone survivor. A day does not go by that I do not relive that voyage.” The threatening encounter brings all to their feet, positioning to interpose.

Then a weak voice wafts into the room, “No need to rise in my presence. I am but a simple merchant now in need of a team.” A dry/raspy voice; her face hidden by a mask. Mentions her own interest in the death curse because of her own death decades ago by a large red dragon (Daizee perking up at mention of red and dragon). She has consulted the 'Lords of Wizards', the 'Lords' Alliance' and the 'Harpers' who have researched but only know a necromantic artifact called "the Soulmonger" may be the source. Somewhere in the unexplored regions on the island of Chult. She offers us a rare item of our own description upon finding said artifact and reversal of the curse. Looking at the diminutive kinder and halfling, “It is upon your shoulders I hope to find answers to this curse. Say yes and raise your glass in union so we can embark on this expedition.”

Daisee is already gleefully asking what adventures can be found, “I’m not from this world but will gladly venture forth. Maybe the portal that brought me here can be found in those strange lands.” Each adventurer rises to the task. Diero rises with an eye on the cleric, "I WAS going in search of the pirate captain that killed my shipmates. I think now I go to protect the others from this questionable cleric. Besides, I can lend a hand on the vessel you have arranged for the voyage.” As Diero looks to the glass at his lips, he winces at the bitter taste. Syndra chimes in, “Oh, we’re not going by ship. That drink was meant to relax you in preparation for my teleportation spell.” A bluish glow centered on Syndra fills the room, then each body begins to shimmer and twinkle. The last vision and sound of Baldur’s Gate is of a happy kinder, “Oh, this is going to be fun.”