Chapter Summaries

Aaron helped resurrect Isobel and organized her return to Moonrise Towers to confront her father, General Ketheric, and Shar’s influence. Aylin attacked Ketheric before the gathered nobles, but a shadow intervened just as her blade was about to strike.

• Aaron, Charlotte, Isobel, and Lady Aylin returned from Selûne’s Divine Realm, and Aaron arranged for Isobel’s faithful and loyal soldiers to move to the Last Light Inn before inviting them to Cormyr.
• Charlotte remembered Eleanor was still in Shar’s temple, and Aaron received a black jade chest from Mysty containing Eleanor and unusual items.
• Aaron entered Moonrise Towers and revealed that Isobel had returned as Lady Aylin flew into the hall carrying her.
• Ketheric recognized Shar’s curse on his hand and admitted that he had turned to Shar after Selûne did not save Isobel.
• Aylin exposed Shar’s followers to Ketheric’s officers and nobles, then swung her greatsword at the unresisting general.
• A shadow descended just as Aylin’s blade was about to take Ketheric’s head.

Shar intervened at Moonrise Towers, took Ketheric into the Shadowfell, and left Isobel’s followers with control of the region but a hollow victory. After learning that Skaven forces were marching on Moonrise Towers, Aaron arranged for Isobel, Aylin, and thousands of refugees to leave for his lands while he continued toward Candlekeep.

• Ketheric accepted his death, but Shar appeared, repelled Aylin, and declared that Ketheric owed her for Isobel’s resurrection.
• Shar pulled Ketheric into the Shadowfell, where she condemned him to serve as a shadow creature for eternity, then departed.
• Isobel and Aylin drove Shar’s followers from Moonrise Towers and Raven Town, while the survivors struggled with the terror of having seen Shar’s avatar.
• Annomyn reported that Skaven forces were gathering to march on Moonrise Towers.
• Aaron told Isobel and Aylin to evacuate with their followers, promised ships and an escort, and set his own next destination as Candlekeep.

Be'lakor, posing as the hero Takkus, used the Skaven crisis to consolidate his authority in Baldur's Gate and pursue the title of Archduke. After learning Aaron was heading to Candlekeep, Be'lakor ordered him watched and attacked if possible, while Aaron arrived at Candlekeep.

• Be'lakor dressed as Takkus and planned to use the Skaven war to become Baldur's Gate's Archduke, while secretly allying with Malkizid and Malcanthet and seeking godhood.
• Takkus faced questions from Baldur's Gate's leaders and reporters, affirmed his ties to the city, and gained approval to serve as Flaming Fist commander and city administrator.
• Takkus learned Aaron Salian was approaching Candlekeep and ordered Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers to spy on him and kill him if an opportunity arose.
• Aaron arrived at Candlekeep and recognized it as the beginning of his adventure.

Aaron and his companions entered Candlekeep after submitting books, then Aaron arranged to meet his pen pals, Imoen and Charname. Imoen accepted his invitation, but Rabik reported that nobody in Candlekeep had heard of Charname, leaving Aaron confused.

• Barrel explained Candlekeep's history, and Aaron arrived with Eleanor, Charlotte, and Annomyn as refugees argued with the gatewardens outside.
• Aaron submitted several books, and Candlekeep admitted him and his companions for ten days.
• Rabik welcomed Aaron, explained Candlekeep's rules, and arranged their lodging at the Mamba Inn.
• Rabik returned with Imoen's reply accepting Aaron's invitation.
• Rabik told Aaron that nobody in Candlekeep was named Charname, and Aaron wondered how Imoen could be there without him.

Aaron realized that “Charname” was a mistaken label and planned to find the Baal Godspawn in Candlekeep, then researched Rogal Dorn’s connection to Baldur’s Gate. He discovered that Balduran had likely received Dorn’s power and ended the chapter as Imoen approached him.

• Aaron realized that Charname was not the protagonist’s actual name and decided to seek out Imoen and the other Baal Godspawn.
• Aaron and his companions enjoyed a meal at the Mamba Inn before visiting Candlekeep’s Pillars of Learning the next day.
• Aaron found records suggesting Rogal Dorn had protected people on the Sword Coast, adopted children, and may have influenced Gray Harbor.
• Aaron learned that Balduran had used the power of a giant to build Gray Harbor’s walls and that the Flaming Fist had grown from an organization marked by a clenched fist.
• Aaron concluded that Balduran had received Rogal Dorn’s power and believed Balduran’s charts and logs could help him find the Primarch.
• Imoen approached Aaron in Candlekeep and asked whether he had been looking for her.

Aaron met Imoen in Candlekeep and gained her trust by claiming that his father had asked him to look after her and her sibling. After a hostile monk interrupted their visit to the Binding Hall, Aaron led Imoen toward a tailor shop, where three disguised monks revealed themselves as Bhaal’s assassins.

• Aaron introduced himself to Imoen and explained that he had come to honor his late father’s request to look after the children of an old friend.
• Imoen eagerly accompanied Aaron to the Binding Hall and questioned him about his adventures and her birth father.
• A monk named Clement insulted Aaron over the copying fees, so Aaron refused to pay and offered to buy Imoen new clothes instead.
• Three monks escorted Aaron and Imoen toward a side exit, but Aaron recognized their disguise and accused them of serving Bhaal.
• The disguised assassins revealed poisoned blades, and Aaron pulled Imoen behind him as Chaos surged.

Aaron defeated three Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers who ambushed him and Imoen in Candlekeep’s Binding Hall, but the slaughter awakened Bhaal’s Divinity within Imoen. After Aaron’s Bloodthirster form drove Bhaal’s Divinity into the Abyss, Imoen recovered, and Aaron offered to help her understand her origins and evil impulses.

• Clement and two other Deathstalkers attacked Aaron and Imoen in the silenced Binding Hall, but Aaron killed all three with his powers and summoned Golden Hounds.
• After witnessing the slaughter, Imoen became overwhelmed by an unfamiliar rush of excitement and collapsed into Aaron’s arms.
• Bhaal’s Divinity awakened within Imoen, formed a blood dagger, and tried to possess Aaron through his bleeding hand.
• Inside Aaron, the Blood God defeated Bhaal’s Divinity and cast it down into the Abyss.
• Candlekeep’s guards restrained Imoen, but Aaron told them she had been controlled and asked whether she would trust him as they discussed her origins and evil impulses.

After the Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers’ attack, Aaron comforted Imoen as she struggled with her newly awakened bloodlust and gave her a Blink Dagger. Imoen returned home in new clothes, but Gorion forbade her from speaking to Aaron about him or Abdel, leaving Abdel confused and Gorion wary.

• Ulrant apologized to Aaron, extended his companions’ stay in Candlekeep, and ordered the Grand Readers to investigate how the Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers had infiltrated the library.
• Aaron found Imoen crying over her attack on him and used his own power to reassure her that she could face and control her bloodline.
• Imoen regained her cheerful mood, accepted Aaron’s Blink Dagger, and went with him to buy new clothes.
• Imoen returned home eager to show Abdel her outfit, but Gorion refused to let her see him and told her not to mention him or Abdel to Aaron.
• After Imoen left, Abdel questioned Gorion about being kept inside, and Gorion warned him to stay home for his own safety.

Aaron taught Imoen the Word of Truth and the power of the mind while Gorion feared the Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers were closing in on Candlekeep. After receiving a letter from Nastya, Aaron left for Baldur's Gate, promising Imoen they would meet again.

• Gorion warned Imoen to keep her opportunity with Aaron separate from him and Abdel, then considered asking the Harpers for help as the Bhaalspawn Deathstalkers threatened Candlekeep.
• Imoen began lessons with Aaron and called him Sensei, while she got to know Eleanor, Charlotte, Barrel, and Annomyn.
• Aaron taught Imoen to control her emotions and use the Word of Truth, but his inquiries about Charname yielded no answers.
• After a letter from Nastya arrived, Aaron learned Takkus's nomination would go before the Baldur's Gate City Council and set out to find Be'lakor and search for Balduran's sea chart.
• Aaron said goodbye to Imoen, promised they would meet again, and left Candlekeep for Baldur's Gate.

Aaron and Eleanor entered Baldur’s Gate amid the Rat Plague refugee crisis, and Aaron used a diplomatic letter from Cormyr to pass the Flaming Fist checkpoint without paying. In Rivington, Barrel rebuked Verati’s prejudice against refugees before Verati learned the visitors were nobles and hurried to welcome them.

• Aaron and Eleanor discussed Imoen as their carriage approached Rivington, where refugees crowded outside Baldur’s Gate.
• Flaming Fist Guards extorted refugees at the checkpoint, but Aaron presented a diplomatic letter bearing Princess Regent Alusair’s signet and gained his party entry without charge.
• Aaron’s party saw Rivington’s crowded streets and refugee camps, then encountered Verati arguing with a Flaming Fist Guard about refugees.
• Barrel challenged Verati’s claim to be a true Baldurian and introduced himself as a lord of House Moonflower from Evermeet.
• Barrel identified Aaron as Viscount Aaron Salian of Cormyr, and Annomyn introduced Karinport and Ibrahim, prompting Verati to welcome the group.

Aaron and his companions entered Baldur’s Gate, where Lord Takkus’s Iron Warriors patrolled the streets and guarded the checkpoints. At Sharess' Caress, Aaron found the Bald Singer, who revealed he had located the imprisoned Lady of Wealth and invited Aaron to help rescue her.

• Barrel explained Baldur’s Gate’s diversity and freedoms, while a Flaming Fist guard praised Lord Takkus’s Iron Warriors and their campaign against the city’s criminals.
• Aaron sensed that the Iron Warriors were chaos-empowered people enhanced with Space Marine-like procedures and suspected Be'lakor had created them.
• Aaron and his companions headed for Sharess' Caress to meet Nastya, and Charlotte excitedly suggested they register a marriage there.
• Aaron entered the inn, saw its decadent revelry, and recognized the Bald Singer, Morgan, as an old acquaintance.
• Morgan told Aaron he had discovered where the Lady of Wealth was imprisoned and asked him to join a major rescue operation.

Be'lakor and Malcanthet plotted around Aaron Salian's plans, while Morgan revealed that Waukeen was imprisoned by Graz'zt and asked Aaron to help rescue her. Aaron agreed to join once he had dealt with Balduran's nautical chart, and the chapter ended with the captive Halsin recognizing Nastya among the Drow.

• Be'lakor questioned Malcanthet about whether she had passed information on Waukeen to Aaron, and she confirmed that Aaron had arrived in Baldur's Gate.
• Morgan told Aaron that Waukeen had been captured by Graz'zt after entrusting her divine power and portfolio to Lliira during the Time of Troubles.
• Morgan showed Aaron a divine gold coin bearing Waukeen's blood and plea for help, convincing him that she was imprisoned in Graz'zt's Silver Palace.
• Aaron said he would help rescue Waukeen after resolving his search for Balduran's nautical chart, and Morgan agreed to seek information among Baldur's Gate's Nine Hells worshippers.
• The captive Halsin spotted a familiar high elf among the Drow and realized it was Nastya.

Aaron weighed his growing threats and his need to reach Legendary rank before meeting Jery Ranstoff and welcoming Nastya to Baldur's Gate. Nastya revealed the Drow had sabotaged a Skaven summoning and pointed Aaron toward the Knights of the Shield for clues about Balduran's nautical chart, but as the party headed for the Lower City, Takkus summoned Aaron to Wyrm's Crossing Fortress.

• Aaron considered his enemies, urgent missions, and the limits of his current strength while Eleanor comforted him.
• Jery Ranstoff met Aaron in Baldur's Gate and offered lodging, connections, and other help through his business and political contacts.
• Nastya arrived and reported that her Drow squad had destroyed the Skaven altar in the Nashkel Mines before it could summon a Doomlord.
• Nastya told Aaron that the Knights of the Shield might know about Balduran's nautical chart, and Aaron decided to seek information in the Lower City.
• At Wyrm's Crossing, an Iron Warrior stopped Aaron and conveyed Takkus's request that he meet the Flaming Fist commander in the fortress.

Aaron met Be'lakor at Wyrm's Crossing, where they discussed the Skaven threat and Be'lakor's plans for Baldur's Gate. After learning that Be'lakor sincerely wanted a temporary truce, Aaron agreed to a ceasefire while each planned to use it for his own ends.

• Aaron ignored Eleanor's warning and followed the Iron Warrior to meet Be'lakor at Wyrm's Crossing.
• Aaron and his companions passed a Patrician lady humiliating a bureaucrat over donated refugee supplies.
• Be'lakor showed Aaron reports of Skaven activity and revealed his alliances with Lorgar and Perturabo, along with his plans for Baldur's Gate.
• Be'lakor proposed a ceasefire so they could confront the Great Horned Rat and the Bhaal Godspawn before pursuing their own ambitions.
• Aaron used the Eye of Tzeentch to confirm Be'lakor sincerely wanted a temporary truce, and they clasped hands to seal their agreement.

After Be'lakor's stories helped Aaron understand Nurgle's unconditional love and eternal cycles of decay and rebirth, cracks appeared in the seal on Nurgle's power inside him. Aaron gained his first Nurgle-type ability, Acid Spit, and prepared to enter Baldur's Gate.

• Be'lakor told Aaron how Tzeentch destroyed the Nameless Staff to embrace change and how Nurgle's warriors tricked plague-stricken villagers into accepting the Grandfather's gift.
• Aaron realized that his past good deeds had been driven by ulterior motives, while his instinctive care for Imoen and his vision of Baldur's Gate's welcoming wall had stirred Nurgle's power.
• Aaron suffered a violent reaction near Wyrm's Crossing, and Flaming Fist captain Alfred Wellesley helped him while warning him about Takkus.
• Aaron invited Alfred to let him visit his family's home, then rejoined Eleanor and the others to enter the city.
• Aaron's insight into Nurgle opened cracks in his sealed power, revealing its cycle of decay and rebirth and granting him the Acid Spit ability.

Aaron and Eleanor sought Selûne’s help in Baldur’s Gate, telling her about Waukeen’s imprisonment and the threats facing the city. Selûne agreed to support Aaron’s plan, while Nastya contacted the Knights of the Shield to request a relic of Balduran.

• Aaron and his companions entered Baldur’s Gate’s Lower City, then split up to pursue their assignments.
• Aaron recognized that refugees were being exploited for materials used by the Iron Warriors and told Eleanor they needed to end the crisis quickly.
• Aaron and Eleanor met Selûne, who confirmed that Waukeen was imprisoned by Graz'zt and agreed not to alert Lliira yet.
• Aaron told Selûne about Be'lakor, the Great Horned Rat, and Baal’s godspawn, and she promised to seek help from other deities.
• Selûne teased Aaron about whom he wanted to marry first, leaving him speechless.
• Nastya met Vikni of the Knights of the Shield, requested a relic of Balduran, and was told to wait while he contacted Lady Julia.

Aaron and his companions went to the Elf Song Tavern to negotiate with the Knights of the Shield for Balduran's sea chart, but they walked into a mistaken meeting with Bhaalists expecting the Emperor. The Bhaalists attacked, while a mind flayer watched the fight and weighed Aaron against Takkus.

• Aaron and Eleanor witnessed a refugee being beaten and robbed in the street, and Aaron had Eleanor heal him before they reached the Elf Song Tavern.
• Aaron reunited with Charlotte in the suite, and Nastya arrived with Annomyn to say the Knights of the Shield had arranged a meeting beneath the tavern.
• Nastya opened a hidden passage in a wine cask using the password, and the group found skull-masked Bhaalists waiting in an underground hall.
• The Bhaalists mistook Aaron for the Emperor and prepared to exchange Gold Notes for gold coins, then realized their error and ordered their followers to kill the group.
• A Perfect Mind Flayer watched the confrontation through a crystal ball while controlling Lady Julia and wondering whether Aaron or Takkus was more valuable.

Aaron, Nastya, and Annomyn fought their way through a Bhaalist ambush beneath the Elf Song Tavern and discovered that the mysterious Emperor had arranged the meeting. After attacking the disguised noblewoman, Aaron learned she was a mind flayer called The Monarch, who claimed they needed each other.

• Aaron transformed into a Bloodthirster and, with Nastya and Annomyn, killed the Bhaalists in the underground hall.
• Aaron found a scorched letter signed “Emperor,” and Nastya counted twenty-five thousand gold coins among the Bhaalists’ belongings.
• The elven noblewoman revealed that she possessed Balduran’s nautical chart and questioned Aaron about why he wanted it.
• Aaron ordered Nastya and Annomyn to attack the woman, who overwhelmed them with powerful magic and force abilities.
• Aaron’s Slaanesh power found no soul in the woman, and she revealed herself as a mind flayer called The Monarch.
• The Monarch proposed cooperation, saying that she needed Aaron’s help and that they needed each other.

Aaron negotiated with The Monarch for Balduran's charts and learned the truth about Balduran's betrayal of Rogal Dorn, leaving the expedition at risk of facing Dorn's wrath. The charts were promised, and Aaron's group planned to sail in a few days while he prepared to help The Monarch escape the Elder Brains.

• The Monarch revealed that he possessed Balduran's charts and asked Aaron to help free him from the Elder Brain's control in exchange for the charts and information.
• The Monarch admitted that he had manipulated Lady Julia and her daughter to gain influence among Baldur's Gate's nobility, and explained how Balduran used the Golden Titan's power to build Baldur's Wall.
• Aaron believed The Monarch's knowledge and agreed to make him an amulet, while The Monarch promised the charts and offered Lady Julia's and Miss Catfish's property.
• Aaron told Eleanor that the group had found a lead on the charts and would set sail in a few days, then warned his companions that Balduran had broken his promise to Rogal Dorn.
• Aaron assigned Barrel a task to handle while the others traveled, and Nastya and Charlotte stopped Eleanor from leaving and began teasing her about spending the night with Aaron.

Be'lakor identified Abdel Adrian as the target of a new Bhaalist revelation while Aaron went to inspect the Monarch’s gift in Baldur’s Gate’s Upper City. After Archduchess Lila Jannath was found murdered, Aaron caught a fleeing white-robed paladin he recognized as Rey! Nard.

• Be'lakor learned that Aaron had searched Candlekeep for Charname and identified Abdel Adrian as the likely target, then sent Bhaal’s followers a revelation ordering them to offer Abdel as a gift.
• Aaron, Charlotte, and Nastya visited the Upper City to inspect the Monarch’s gift and browsed its crowded market.
• The High Hall’s bells rang, and Aaron’s group followed the Watchers to a sealed estate, where they learned that Archduchess Lila Jannath had been assassinated in her protected wizard tower.
• Keldorn arrived with paladins and insisted that Bhaalists were not responsible for Lila’s murder.
• Aaron recognized a white-robed paladin trying to flee as Rey! Nard, caught him, and demanded that he come see Mentor Lucian.