Siege of Baldur's Gate

[rokranon]

As the huge group of defenders parted ways, Jonas reflected on all that had just happened...

...Jonas left the temple of Ilmater, having been looking for Sister Abby and any word from Anie since her disappearance at the hands of the Herald of Darkness. He walked to the main gate of the city, and received quite a shock. The corpses of several ogres and trolls littered the ground, the buildings nearest the wall were ablaze, and there was a group of at least twenty people about with weapons drawn. Jonas quickly learned that the city was under siege and the defense was being lead by Duke Eltan himself. After a barrage burning boulders, Eltan led the charge to meet the enemy in the farmlands just outside the gate.

Jonas quickly followed, and without thinking launched himself at the nearest foes. Orcs were providing cover fire for attacking trolls and goblins, and soon after hill giants joined the fray. As more people poured out of the city, Jonas found himself fighting mostly alongside his friends Te'alis and Arivain, but also the priestess of Auril, Irini. Irini and Jonas exchanged a few verbal jabs but fought well togther, putting differences aside in the defensive.

The enemies continued to march on the city from the north, with frost giants and stone giants bringing their huge weapons to bear on the defensive force. Fire still rained down from the sky at infrequent intervals. The largest trolls Jonas had ever seen joined the fight for the enemy, and still yet for a time the battle seemed to be going well. Jonas found Anie and Auriel healing others admirably, and he joined them whenever there was a lull.

The tide turned in favor of the besieging force when wizards who appeared to be Thayans brought a force of horned demons into the fray. The combined might of the devils and stone giants, in conjunction with the spells of the wizards overwhelmed many, including Jonas himself. He found himself on the Fugue but for an instant before he blinked his eyes and he was on the field of battle once again! Truly, Torm favored him this day, and his zeal to destroy the evil tide grew all the stronger.

Finally, the enemy lines seemed to falter and Eltan called a charge to take the fight to them as they regrouped in the Fields of the Dead. Te'alis, Jonas, Arivain, and a few others were right behind the duke as they now encountered some illithid mixed in with more stone giants. In the dead fields the defensive force encountered more of the same enemies they had already fought, but some beholders were seen and slain amongst the attacking army, and a wizard was heard shouting as he left one of the tents set up on the field. He turned into an enormous black dragon, but was slain by the overwhelming ferocity of the defenders of Baldur's Gate. Five massive red dragons soon landed on the field, but they too were no match for the heroes.

Eltan soon declared a victory, and there were mixed cheers and cries of concern amongst the crowd. Effelin suggested it was the work of the Herald of Darkness, for the Herald had mentioned bringing an army of darkness soon. Jonas agreed, but they were drowned out with all the other chatter going on. Eltan agreed to pay all the defenders after Irini and Ceci nearly demanded compensation. Jonas refused any money himself, needing no reward for doing the right thing. He received some jeers for that, but it bothered him little. Duty. Loyalty. Obedience. These are what mattered...

...Jonas then assisted Sister Anie of Ilmater in burying the brave warriors who had fallen in the defense of the city. It had been a great victory, but for a paladin, there was much work yet to be done. He afterwords returned to Candlekeep, where he was present for young River's return from the Herald of Darkness. He was greatly saddened by her utter despair, but consoled her as best he could. Jonas then received a message from Alistaria stating she had heard about the Red Wizards in the assault on the Gate and had gone into hiding in fear of them. She would return for the wedding, but would not tell even her love where she was staying. This news was not received well by the paladin, but Auriel helped him through it as best she could, and Valerius as well. Late at night, when left all alone though, Jonas Rokranon wandered into the wilderness and screamed - his world shattering in the process.

// A huge thanks to the DM team (Kelsfar and Emo, I think maybe Wildelf too?) for such an epic event! I had a blast

[Maecius]

"Anselm Baker, Private of the Flaming Fist."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

"Fendrel Oates, Private of the Flaming Fist."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Jonril Narod, priest of Oghma, stands at the altar of his god in Candlekeep, his voice calm, his face composed, as he reads off one name after another.

"Addison Herts, Adventurer."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Behind Jonril, three musicians strum on yartings, the sacred instrument of Oghma. Their melody is soft, their melody is sad.

"Norman Tyrsson, Sergeant of the Flaming Fist."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Seated in front of the Namer of Oghma sit four scribes, each in command of a white feather quill. Whenever a name is spoken, they record it on parchment paper.

"Maerwynn White, Priestess of Chauntea."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Valerius leans against the wall, in the narthex of the temple, near the exit. His eyes watch his feet, his mouth turned down in the smallest of frowns, as he listens to Jonril Narod speak.

Each name belongs to someone who was lost in the siege of Baldur's Gate. Each name represents a life no longer lived, but a life forever to be remembered.

"Reynard Gale, Private of the Flaming Fist."

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

The tiefling wizard draws a slow, but deep, breath. His mood is depressed. But he will stand in the temple all night long, and he will listen to every single name.

Near the end, the names are all listed as anonymous, but are recorded nonetheless. Only once Jonril stops entirely, and bows his head, does Valerius push away from the wall and exit the temple.

Oghma, the Binder of What is Known, the Lord of Knowledge, would not let the names of the dead be forgotten. History would remember who fell that day, in defense of Baldur's Gate.