There was an increase in bloodless corpses appearing in the streets of the Upper City in Baldur's Gate. Of course, this could be from any number of things: hags, changelings, a particularly daring goblin...

A vampire...?

No time to think on it, you're meeting someone at a gala tonight at Szarr Manor. That explains the pale elf approaching you... Right?

"Ah, my dear, you must be who I was sent to accompany. My name's Astarion, a magistrate here in the Upper City. Charmed, I'm sure."