Darradarljod wrote:A bag of 20 gold coins arrives with this letter by the hand of a halfling runner.
To: Bentley Mirrorshade of the Friendly Arm Inn
This missive regards the defilement of your laws and hospitality on the evening of the 16th of Alturiak 1352; namely, my assault on the humanoid by moniker of "Crow" within your establishment.
I express my regret at the outworking of these hostilities, and acknowledge it was to your expense. I stand accountable as the instigator of the offence within the Keep and therefore acknowledge reparation as owing.
I propose the negotiation of a settlement that is agreeable in proportion to the damages to your establishment and its reputation.
A reply to this missive will reach me at the address of the Baldur's Gate Thayan Enclave in the East Gate region of the city. Find included with this letter the sum of twenty gold coins toward your courier expenses.
Regards,
Sir Boris Vyacheslav of Surthay
DM Ghost wrote:Sir Boris Vyacheslav,
As recompense for your crimes at the Friendly Arm Inn, I'll ask that you for one ten-day patrol the road Between the Wyrm's Crossing, Beregost and Candlekeep to make sure that travellers to my inn are kept safe. If you find anyone heading towards the inn, offer to escort them.
I expect a brief report on each day's incidents at the end of that day.
Bentley Mirrorshade
Subsequent reports of Sir Boris Vyacheslav delivered to Bentley by courier;
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6th Tarsakh, 1352 DR
Patrolled alone from Baldurs Gate to the Friendly Arm Inn. Encountered no travellers but was waylaid multiple times by bandits. Defending myself against the lawless men I persecuted them to the full extent of my strength, seeking out those hiding in the hills and executing several before arriving at the Friendly Arm Inn territories. I returned to my camp.
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8-9th Tarsakh, 1352 DR
Travelled from the Friendly Arm Inn to Beregost without encountering any travellers. Occasional goblinoids were skirmished. I returned the way I came and patrolled the northern road on my return to Baldur's Gate for a meeting with the Enclave.
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Duties within the Enclave prevent Boris' continuation of regular patrols for two weeks. His intentions to resume patrols delivered to Bentley on the 23rd of Tarsakh via courier messenger and are enacted as of the 25th.
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25th Tarsakh, 1352 DR
Patrolled the Trade Way between Beregost and The Friendly Arm. Encountered no travelers. Slew one goblin. Pushing further north I patrolled the road between the Friendly Arm Inn and Baldur's Gate. Encountered no travelers. Slew two bandits and killed a pair of their attack dogs.
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26th Tarsakh, 1352 DR
Patrolled the Trade Way from The Friendly Arm Inn to Beregost. The rain was heavy and the weather made for difficult journey. One goblin strayed too near to the road and was slain. No travelers were encountered - likely due to the storm.
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11th Mirtul, 1352 DR
While patrolling the routes around the Friendly Arm Inn without incident or encounter of note I paused outside the keep for respite.
A woman confronted me as to why I was armed. I readily explained both my obligation and the lawlessness of these roads. Moments later, as if to illustrate my point, a gang of men and women in red hoods were upon us like a mob of vultures supposing there was conflict to be witnessed. Disappointed that there was not the trolls began goading us to fight each other and threatening to attack us themselves, preparing with spells. This encounter concluded without violent incident, however.
The woman is a half-elven Helmite soldier who also patrols the routes I am assigned to. It was her restraint in fear of the law of the land that diffused the situation, despite being slandered by the bystanders.
We may patrol the roads together while my obligation to your establishment continues.
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17 Mirtul, 1352 DR
I patrolled road north from Beregost, taking the Lion's Way west toward Candlekeep before backtracking and moving north to The Friendly Arm Inn.
Here I met with a woman Alessia whom I offered to escort on her way north to Baldur's Gate. She was joined by a man named Thomas who went with us. Before departing, I found an elf of Doron Amar who consented likewise for my escort north. In addition to these, an unnamed halfling took advantage of the safety in our numbers to go a part of the way with us.
These I escorted through the bandit troubled road north on their way from your Inn to the beginning of the farmlands of Baldurs Gate.
As I am sure you are aware, Master Mirrorshade, my dedicated patrols between the 6th of Tarsakh and the 17th of Mirtul amount to six days of service in total toward our agreement of ten.
I am also certain you will appreciate my duties as Knight-Commander to my Lord and Khazark and his Enclave have taken priority over this, which is a personal matter. Nonetheless, my patrols continue.
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20th Mirtul, 1352 DR
Patrolling north of the Friendly Arm Inn I encountered a woman a way off the road who had been beset by bandits but slain her attackers. I escorted the woman on a return to the road. There, we were beset by highwaymen, whom we dispatched together. Escorting the woman south she arrived safely at the Friendly Arm Inn.
I returned north toward Baldur's Gate, my intention to resupply at the Enclave before resuming a night patrol. On the bridge I encountered a noblewoman of the far north. An acquaintance of my Lord Khazark. She was seeking an escort south to the Friendly Arm Inn which is a hub for her to conduct business out of.
After resupplying at the Enclave I escorted this woman and her acquaintance south to the Friendly Arm Inn, and this safely, despite encountering an orc-blooded man and several bandits on the roads.
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A letter is delivered to Bentley Mirrorshade from the Thayan Enclave of Baldur's Gate. It bares the seal of Knight-Commander Boris Vyacheslav and is received exactly one month after the last report of his patrols;
20th Kythorn, 1356 DR
Bentley Mirrorshade,
Boris Vyacheslav writes to you from the Thayan Enclave of Baldur's Gate.
Greetings, to you and to your wife.
I ask that you forgive the absence of my reports over the last month. Though I have traveled the roads around your keep I would not dignify these to be patrols according to our agreement.
Despite this seeming lax in my oath toward you, I would that you rest assured in knowing that I am minded to see my obligations toward you met.
As Knight-Commander of the Order of the Crimson Guard the security of our Enclave and her personnel is my highest priority. The recent death of His Eminence Khazark Kahanak Habdilof and addressing these hostilities toward our nationals have demanded all of my attention.
Soon I will personally escort the body of our Lord into Thay. I anticipate that I will be absent no more than three days.
I am confident that after my return I will find time to see our agreement through to its conclusion.
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23rd Flamerule, 1352DR
Several weeks ago I offered my services as armed escort to the Gate Warden of Candlekeep to any residents minded to brave the Lion's Way to The Friendly Arm Inn. Naught has come of this.
Today, however, I stationed myself at the Eastern Gate entrance into Baldur's Gate. Finding no travelers to the Friendly Arm Inn, after some time, I made my own patrol south to your keep through the bandit-lands.
Traveling alone I was charged by a bear on the road. A lesser man may not live to tell such a tale. Over the course of these patrols I have come to understand your concern for travelers on these roads to your estate.
In Thay, Mirrorshade, the diligent upkeep of the highways networking our nation prevent such lawlessness and wilderness which you suffer as common here in the Western Heartlands.
Though the jurisdiction of your guards and lordship ends at the gates of your castle it is clear to me by your commission toward me that your concerns go beyond the walls to these outlying roads.
Here in Baldur's Gate, I testify that you cannot so much as swing your sword without striking one mercenary company or another. When my services are rendered I would recommend you hire one of these
adventuring bands, sprouting like fungi under the rotting log that is this city, in order to police the bandit activity and cull the bear population to the north of your home.
Continuing in your service toward reparation, for two more days patrol,
Boris Vyachceslav
Knight-Commander of the Order of the Crimson Guard
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29th of Elesias, 1352DR
Master Bentley Mirrorshade,
For my continuing reparation toward yourself, I provided an armed escort for a woman traveling south from Baldur's Gate to the Friendly Arm Inn. I continued alone on the Lion's Way to Candlekeep. There I met with a small group, including the Gatewarden, meaning to travel north to the Friendly Arm Inn who accepted my services. Leaving Candlekeep we met a pair of inexperienced travelers fleeing from the beetles infesting the local lands. Together, we were able to cut a safe track north to your keep. There I left them, and returned to Baldur's Gate.
One more day remains to be served on the roads leading your keep.
At your service,
Boris Vyachceslav
Knight-Commander of the Order of the Crimson Guard
Boris escorts Xelarian, Isabella, Naomi
2nd of Eleint, 1352 DR
Final Report of Boris Vyacheslav
I escort a magus of our Balduran Enclave from Nashkel of Amn to the Friendly Arm Inn. On the roadside not far north of Beregost we discovered evidence of banditry - a waylaid wagon, and several slain.
Arriving at the Friendly Arm Inn we were met with a party of mercenaries. I was pleased to learn you have hired them to deal with these bandit attacks in the region. I reported our findings on the southern roads to them.
I am reminded of earlier this same year when I served alongside the Flaming Fist in disassembly of the Toecutter's gang who lay in wait for blood between your keep and Baldur's Gate. It has always been my good pleasure to see thieves quartered.
This concludes the ten-day patrols you commissioned me as reparation for damages to your business. I trust you are satisfied?
These patrols have taken me from my regular duties, yet, or perhaps therefore, I have come to appreciate these acts of service.
Fare well, Bentley Mirrorshade.
Boris Vyacheslav