We’re lined up outside the Vanthampur Villa, and the infiltration is about to begin. The party has a plan, I think it involves a catapult, but honestly, I’m looking forward to being surprised. Depending on how they approach it, tonight could be a stealth operation or a straight up siege. I’m prepped for either.
There are a few interesting NPCs in play today. Thurstwell Vanthampur is holed up in his room upstairs, a sickly recluse with 5 HP and a small army of invisible imps. I suspect the players will detour to deal with him. The upper level of the villa has a bunch of guards and empty rooms otherwise. Some quiet halls. But tension’s in the air.
If they breach the underground level today, and I expect they will, that’s where the level up hits. It’s a bit strange to level mid day, but I’m following the module as written. Below the villa, the tone shifts. Traps. Dangerous fights. A real boss in Duke Thalamra. We won’t finish it tonight, but we’ll likely get our boots in the dirt.
This campaign’s been light and smooth. Easy to prep. Vanilla ice cream with brownie chunks. I’m enjoying it. Especially bringing the world of Baldur’s Gate to life. A lot. Maybe too much. Maybe just enough. Maybe I’ll run a homebrew version of the computer game as a campaign after this? Or just set a campaign in the city.