1355DR - State of Affairs in Sword Coast and Western Heartlands

The "Year of the Harp" Campaign

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1355DR - State of Affairs in Sword Coast and Western Heartlands

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1354-1355 DR Campaign Overview
The Year of the Bow and Year of the Harp

State of Baldur's Gate and Beyond
It's been three years since the siege of the undead army upon Baldur's Gate. Aside from memorials erected to honour those that sacrificed their lives for the city and its people during that time, the city shows no signs of that war ever happening. The streets are filled with people of all kinds from distant lands - merchants, sailors, adventurers - all participating in the flourishing trade at the Gate. Among those, one can hear many rumours and tales regarding matters that happened in the past year and half-way into the current one.

A new threat from the North

Early in the Year of the Bow, 1354 Dale Reckoning, the city of Baldur's Gate has come upon a terrible discovery that soon came to slowly plague the region and encroach upon the City's lands. First came the vague, vivid tales of strange happenings taking place around the northern reaches of Trade Way. Tales of skies darkening above Dragonspear Castle, monster presence increasing and then many lit fires in the fortress itself. Then, nature started to seemingly die for no reason at all. Before the word reached the city of what has happened, it was already too late.

The castle, first built by a dwarven hero and renowned Dragon Slayer Daeros Dragonspear, has been overtaken by infernal forces of the Nine Hells themselves. A large group of adventurers, led by the Order of the Radiant Heart and their paladins, travelled towards it as quickly as possible in order to put an end to the problem before it grows out of proportions, but alas- they had suffered a considerable loss. The survivors have retreated and the fiends of Nine Hells remained. From there, they reputedly began strengthening their position upon Toril by rebuilding the castle to its former glory, enslaving or persuading many monster races, including orcs, ogres, goblins, trolls, bugbears and others, to join them in exchange for infernal magic and promises of power.

The initial growth was slow but already considered dangerous. Balduran farmlands were first hit with a plague that was, as the rumours say, orchestrated by infernal cults in order to destabilise the city and delay its response. Then struck a strange case of dreams and nightmares- ones that affected only those that seemingly had fiendish or celestial bloodlines, primarily tieflings and aasimar. Some of those affected have perished, but most were saved by the tireless work of Church of Ilmater and Mystra. The fields have been cleansed of their corruption and farmers could work again without having to worry for their lives or for their livestock. While people were occupied with those and other matters in the city, another threat soon was discovered.

Rumours have reached from Daggerford that it was attacked and under three-day siege. While the word carries different details of the entire matter, it's known that the siege was eventually broken by some of the valiant Waterdhavian adventurers that came to help along with a relief force from Waterdeep. Shortly after, from the Troll Claws and Dragonspear, a massive horde of trolls, orcs, goblins and fiends began marching south, destroying villages and slaughtering any whom they've met on their way. Survivors of those attacks spread the word down south and - in three days - the Sword Coast was to see the horde sprawl and attack several regions, such as Fields of the Dead, Kingdom of Kraak Helzak and Boareskyr Bridge along with Soubar. The Flaming Fist were deployed into the region of Farmlands across the Winding Way in haste to ensure that the people don't suffer from the attack, while Soubar has, famously, deserted from all of its inhabitants. The vast majority of those are, after all, outcasts, criminals, monsters and other villains.

Nonetheless, even Boareskyr Bridge received defence in the form of Ebon Blades and a score of adventurers. Upon the day of battle, the troll army attacked all those three places, each side having quite a different outcome. The Fields of the Dead, protected by the Flaming Fist, adventurers and a friendly alliance of Hellriders, have performed in an impeccable manner- their discipline and structure led towards minimal losses. The farmlands south of their position were safe, those who dwelled there survived and the crops survived as well, which helped in keeping the cost of food from inflating and being taxed heavily for importation.

The Kingdom of Kraak Helzak, supposedly, had been besieged for a day by the main force of a Troll Queen- a gigantic monstrous creature that "led" a "kingdom" of trolls in the Troll Hills. The fight was fierce and supposedly even their dwarven king participated in the melee! In the end, however, the dwarves had to collapse their masterwork stone bridge beneath the feet of the Troll Queen in order to break the siege and drive off the remnants of that army.

Soubar, on the other hand, suffered the most. The corpses of monsters were piling up on (and from) the Boareskyr Bridge as the defenders made their valiant stand. However, as the word carries on the streets, something had gone awry during that as when armoured trolls were pressing in on the bridge, a gaping, burning gate appeared behind the defenders and unleashed a horde of demons that began attacking everyone in sight. Flanked, and desperate, the defenders began retreating anywhere they could. The demons and trolls have slaughtered all of those who did not run or were too slow in doing so. The remains of the troll horde pushed on to Soubar and devastated the tent hamlet, destroying most of anything they could find. It took several long hours for adventurers and mercenaries to chase those monsters away, and over a Tenday or two to bring some semblance of vague security.

Afterwards, news came of forward fortresses being established by the forces of Dragonspear, the slime-infested “Ebondross Citadel”, troll supported and golem ruled “Hellsteel Tower” and monster-driven Red Keep. While Baldur’s Gate was mostly busying itself with mobilising its forces against the devils in full strength, few organisations such as the Everwatch and Elder Circle, accompanied by adventurers and other groups, have taken to fighting against the Ebondross Citadel- working tirelessly to push back its growing influence and defend hatching grounds of a considerable tribe of Lizardfolk that the adventurers came to forge an alliance with.

There’s not much known regarding the Red Keep, as the Misty Forest has, for the most part, been cut off from the rest of the world. However, the rare word says that the fiends have established such a castle to terrorise the denizens of that forest. Supposedly, the elves living in the forest, the fey and other natural beings have joined together into a massive army and waged war against the infernal keep- eventually bringing destruction upon it.

The devil advance in the north has driven hundreds of villagers from the Fields of the Dead north of the Winding Water south as refugees. Many of these ended up settling in a refugee camp outside of Baldur's Gate, including the people of Tymount, who were evacuated by a military operation led by the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary.

The camp was supervised by the Ilmatari and protected by the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxilliary, as well as volunteers from the Temple of Helm, the Northern Watch and the Temple of Tyr. One particular paladin, Henryk the Damaran, focused heavily on the camp and has won a following, with a militia of over a dozen Tyrrans drawn from the people of Tymount gathering around him. Of these, three are now in training to become paladins of Tyr themselves with the temple in Baldur's Gate.

The camp was attacked by a horde of demons serving Orcus during the height of the crisis last autumn, an attack that is the subject of much speculation; without the quick reactions of the defenders the death toll could have been significant. Despite this hardship, the outpouring of charitable aid has avoided a humanitarian crisis.

The temples of Tymora, Helm, Tyr, Torm and particularly Ilmater provided housing for refugees, with further housing being provided by the Order of Lions in Pathfinder's Hall. Food, clothing, shelter and sums to help build new lives were provided by cash donations by local businesses and notables, including House Darius, The Golden Wheel Trading Company, the Rocky Creek Trading Company as well as a number of private individuals. Notably, the significant contributions of an Ilmatari sorceress, Victoria Lightheart, have made her someone of note among the local Ilmatari faithful. The aid was not just financial; many visitors tended to the hearts and minds of the refugees and lifted their spirits in the darkest times. Over the winter, more and more of the refugees were settled in the city and found work. Many have volunteered for the city watch, as part of the Flaming Fist recruitment drive.

With the flow of refugees being stymied by Duke Eltan's offensive, the camp currently houses short term migrants, brought to it either by poverty or other circumstances unrelated to the devils, as well as the hard core of Tymount refugees who intend to fight under Tyr's banner. The most recent arrives are just under thirty ex-slaves from the Underdark, who are currently being tended to by the Ilmatari who attend the camp– with some munificence as Ilmatari go, given the scale of the earlier donations have put the Temple of Ilmater in a good financial situation.

The looming pall of smog hanging above the Troll Hills grows thicker, as Hellsteel Tower's exploitation of the material plane intensifies. The hills are inimical to life now, infested with hungry Spirits of Dis and both they and the Trollbark to the north are dotted with devil encampments. The devil advance south has been checked by Duke Eltan's offensive in early spring, aided as it was by adventurers and many organisations on the coast.

After the offensive, a line of five forts was been established along the Winding Water under the overall command of General Scar. The total deployment on the Winding Water is six companies, including reserves. Other organisations on the frontlines include the Baldurian chapter of the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary and the Northern Watch, both sworn to the Dukes. There is also a contingent of famed paladins and their retainers from the High Hall of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart in Athkatla, a number of voluntary and involuntary adventurers and recently the Soubar based Ebon Blade.

However, Hellsteel Tower has not been idle, having fortified its own lines. There is constant skirmishing up and down the Winding Water, with several large probing attacks having been attempted on the forts, particularly General Scar's headquarters. These are getting increasingly common. The current leader of the Hellsteel Devils in the field is a brachina named Lamazeeza, who calls herself the Herald of Hellsteel Tower. She claims to serve a devil called Crualax and is, apparently, a powerful user of arcane magic. Fist casualties have not been heavy, as medical facilities have been well set up with the aid of one Solomon Peyton of Rocky Creek Trading Company limited.

Rumour has it that Duke Eltan is preparing for a second phase offensive, with more Flaming Fist companies formed from City Watch volunteers likely to be sent north once fresh City Watch recruits being trained by the Bladestone Foundation are ready.



Baldur's Gate - State of Affairs
The overall economy of Baldur's Gate remains in stable, slow growth. It is clear that it has regained its old glory, mostly due to new merchants coming, new business being brought and monopolies on certain goods being broken, but also slightly increased export value on several luxury goods, such as dyes, foreign silks, top-shelf alcohol and a good number of other exotics. The prosperity of commoners firmly stabilised since the last few years, although the influx of refugees, such as ones from a now-destroyed village of Tymount, has seen bringing into the city people that some dock employers began taking in as a bit cheaper workforce. The poverty-stricken poorer members of the society remain few in number- those mostly being drunks, maimed people or otherwise unable to properly work anymore, something that's been a major improvement since the last year all thanks to several holy orders and merchant organisations, such as Church of Ilmater, Halls of Inner Light, Church of Tyr, House Darius, Sword Coast Commercial Exchange and others.

The biggest political fumble this year, one that resounded for a good number of Tendays, was an open recruitment into Zhentarim held in the docks by some of the Zhentarim enforcers. It was met with very clear opposition from the locals of the city and the docks- going as far as shanking one of the Zhentarim supporters who was spreading recruitment pamphlets around the docks. General Scar himself came down to meet with the organiser of the entire matter, one that calls himself Bueroza but is known also as Boris- former Thayan Knight of the Red Wizard Enclave. After a stare-down and harsh words being exchanged, the Zhentarim agents were told to leave not hold any such matters without at least speaking to dukes about it beforehand.

Not long after the incident, the Court was abuzz with rumours regarding certain prestigious persons from Lord’s Alliance and their supporters having an audience with the Grand Dukes of Baldur’s Gate- one of them being even Khelben “Blackstaff” Arunsun himself.

Beyond that, the rumour mill has been working tirelessly as ever, with some of the most popular rumours appearing across taverns, inns and streets of Baldur’s Gate:

Duke Belt, supposedly, still regrets singing the treaty with Zhentarim, though some may suggest that it might be because he's bored with them and they’ve been generating more bureaucratic work than he'd wish they did.

Duke Eltan is rarely seen at court in recent months, spending most of his time in consultation with advisors and fist officers planning a further offensive on the Winding Water region. The word has it that he also had to deal with a strange matter pertaining to the Red Wizards of Thay supplying the Flaming Fist with a magical, explosive catapult that uses ammunition made of goblin heads. Most dismiss that as just a tavern rumour and the Flaming Fist soldiers refuse to say anything about it, famously retorting with “Stop wasting my time.”

Duke Entar and his wife, Lady Brilla Silvershield, continue to live a happy life together. Lady Brilla's songs continue to be a local favourite among nobles and at the court of the Palace- particularly those worshipping Lathander, since most of those songs praise the glory of the Morninglord in a most beautiful and captivating manner. Some say, though, that Grand Duke Entar wasn’t against wasting his gold away in order to please his wife- buying all sorts of relics and artworks dedicated to Lathander, something that supposedly have driven him on the edge of bankruptcy. Most of anyone dismisses it as just rumours, though.

A somewhat recent resident of the Palace district, Colter Graymont, was found viciously slain in his home and his only child missing. Despite the violence of his death, none of his neighbours can recall hearing any altercation at all.

Lord Luke Darius, head of House Darius and co-founder of Darius Holding Company, has been reported to have been killed in a strange accident involving, as rumour mill likes to wildly go, awful amounts of cheap whiskey, some courtesans, three gnomes one of his ships at sea. Though details may vary, it is generally assumed that he, while under the influence of alcohol, fell overboard and was viciously attacked by a shark- an encounter the Lord did not survive. What was little left of his body was never recovered. Which, as it turned out later in the year, was a ruse since the Lord have returned upon opening of their new tavern and their estate. Many whisper that he have faked his death in order to do something nefarious, away from everyone’s eyes.

Willem Atherton, formerly Lord of House Atherton, is planning to elope with a ranking priestess of Sune that cured his mysteriously ailing son by miraculous means. Tongues are wagging, among the noble circles, that it could be Adelaide van de Saer, recently widowed due to Lord Luke Darius' death, but other gossip suggests otherwise.


The Sword Coast and Western Heartlands Region - State of Affairs

-Elturel-

The Hellriders of Elturel have fortified their position in former farming town of Triel- creating an advanced, defensible fort that can host many hundreds of soldiers. Word has it that if the devils come down south through the eastern front, Elturel and their Berduskan allies will make a stand there. The High Rider himself has been giving inspiring speeches in Elturel, after the city has faced one or few fierce attacks at hands of devils. Those speeches have prompted increased recruitment into both the Hellriders and a supportive army to the famed cavalry. Word across the streets suggests that Elturel's military movements had slowed down the flow of commerce in and out of the city, something that travelling merchants can sometimes grumble about, mainly due to having harder access to some wares from Elturel that are popular in other towns and cities, such as their famed cheese.

Elturel has been involved with putting an end to several notorious bandit groups. Reputedly, several groups such as Bladestone Foundation and Order of Silver Rose were involved in aiding Elturel to that end.

-Berdusk-

Berdusk has been in close alliance with Elturel as of late- both city-states supporting each other militarily against the threat of Dragonspear Castle and local monsters. Together, with Berdusk’s army support, Elturel has managed to fortify their presence in Triel as a forward fortress for the time of war. It's said that several large and famed "Gauntlets" of Berdusk, a term describing their armed companies that are filled with adventurers, mercenaries, sometimes convicts and otherwise, have been stationed by Triel. Currently, warriors from the Jewel of the Vale can be seen doing coordinated patrols alongside the Hellriders- a number of which have increased the safety around the surrounding farmlands.

Not much in terms of rumours comes from Berdusk, otherwise. The Jewel of the Vale has had considerably peaceful times,
with nothing out of ordinary happening in its immediate surroundings and business otherwise.

-Iriaebor-


Lord Bron of Iriaebor has heard more and more about the increasing troubles with Dragonspear Castle. Being a former paladin of Eldath, he knew very well what it means to have an incursion of baatezu into the world of mortals.

Word carries that he called for a special meeting with the Merchant Council, a 40-member council which's members are carefully hand-picked by Lord Bron himself. After, reputedly, a full day of discussions and back-and-forths between council members, it was decided that, based on terms of Lord's Alliance, Iriaebor will send a small contingent of their Shields (the name of their military force) to Baldur's Gate in order to help with the effort in the war.

Some cynics say the Council agreed upon it to have less of an oversight over what they're doing behind closed doors, but most agree that it's nevertheless a good idea since threat coming from devils can have far more reaching consequences than petty fights between merchant-nobles.

-Waterdeep-

Waterdeep has been involved with the War of Dragonspear Castle since its early time. The relief force of Waterdeep, supported with adventurers, have managed to break the siege of Daggerford and save the town from being completely ravaged by devil-led orcish horde.

However, Waterdeep hasn’t done much in that regard until recently. The City of Splendors, in past two months, have witnessed the escalation of supposedly fiendish intrigue taking its peak with the Open Lord Piergerion the Paladinson being attacked by masked assailants in an assassination attempt in his own estate. Lord Piergerion is reputed to have single-handedly killed three of those with his bare hands, next two with a longsword that he managed to find, but the last three managed to grievously wound him before being cut down by arriving guards of the estate.

Ever since that event, the City of Splendors has been mobilising its forces with doubled resolve. Adventurers and guild mages, together with waterdhavian soldiers and even the Griffon Cavalry, has been mustered, organised and deployed in steady stream towards Daggerford where Waterdeep’s army is making its preparations on marching at the Dragonspear Castle. Apparently, few ships have arrived under banner of Neverwinter to the City of Splendors- both carrying few companies of soldiers from the City of Skilled Hands to aid in future battles. It has been widely acknowledged as a nod of Lord’s Alliance to Waterdeep in face of the infernal threat in the southern Sword Coast.

Along with those came news of increased activity of pirates across the Sea of Swords. For some unknown reason, the piracy has been on a rise of both boldness and frequency of their attacks on ships- likely exploiting the fact of the cities having their attention turned elsewhere.

-Roaringshore-


Roaringshore has had a tumultuous eighteen months. A long feud between Karn, captain of the Seawolf, and High Captain John Reynolds, simmered slowly until an explosive resolution that saw Reynolds bleeding his last into the sand by Karn's, and a short naval battle between High Captain's Cyrano Ambrosio and Karghuth's factions, during which Ambrosio was aided by the devastating spells of some dark mages. A parlay of all the suviving High Captains saw Karn raised to Reynold's place, and Ambrosio installed as a new High Admiral of Roaringshore. For a time it seemed like High Captain Karghuth would take arms up again, but it seems that now, something keeps the uneasy accord in place.

While the new High Admiral suggests that life in Roaringshore is business as usual, his use of casual ultraviolence against those who annoy him, combined with copious generosity to those that please him – rumoured to be coin given to him by outside sources - means that he has brought a unity to Roaringshore that has been lacking in the past. Pirate activity in the region has become more systematic as a result, and more than one vessel has deployed the kind of devastating magic that Ambrosio used to cow Karguth's followers.

The most recent news is the promise of good times ahead by High Admiral Ambrosio, followed by High Captains Karguth and Karn sailing from Roaringshore for an extended period. Karn sailed north, returning only after a month. Karguth sailed south, and has yet to return, but is expected any day now.

-Darkhold-


Against the backdrop of a series of executions. Darkhold saw a grand speech given by Imperceptor Vyshasa and Dreadlord Morgalia Verenach in autumn, which promised a neverending hunt for Manshoon and his agents on the Sword Coast. Since then, two elite companies of Zhentilar and a body of orc slave soldiers have arrived on the Coast. The slave soldiers are quartered in Soubar itself, while the Zhentilar are mostly deployed north of Soubar, and guarding a supply route from Darkhold, through Corm Orp and Hill's Edge, to the frontline. After delicate negotiations, a small contingent of the Zhentilar are now deployed in Soubar itself with the permission of the mysterious local tavern owner, Mag. Zhentilar forces have yet to engage the devils, perhaps due to the fall of Ebondross.

-Orcs of Uruk Lurra-

Orcs of Uruk Lurra have been slightly diminished with a number of the settlement’s members joining the side of Dragonspear Castle. The orcs, presumably, don’t approve of that betrayal much at all.

Other than that, the old threat that once ran across the Sword Coast continues to sleep.

-Beregost-

Earlier in the year, Beregost has seen rising tensions with Amn due to a mysterious assassination on Sheriff-Governor de' Orca. With the passing of the well respected and liked Governor, the town decided to fully grasp towards their dreams of independence from Amnian protectorate. To that end, several groups in Beregost have risen, each with a different plan to reach their goal- their home being free to govern itself.

Perhaps surprisingly to everyone, through extensive diplomacy conducted between the Kelddath Ormlyr and the Everwatch of Nashkel along with an official envoy of Council of Six, it was decided that Amn will allow Beregost to cede from its protectorate state if they'll sign a clearly defined treaty of non-aggression towards Amn and neutrality towards any and all members of Lord's Alliance- effectively making the Everwatch the custodians of the peace between both states.

The Beregost Accords, as they're now called, were struck at the close of 1354 DR, releasing Beregost from its Amnian annexation as the year dwindled to completion. As the sun rose on 1355 DR, updated laws for the new and independent township were drafted and accepted, posted with civic pride for all to see. Shortly thereafter, at the cusp of spring, the people of Beregost elected their own ruling council - duly appointing five local figures held in high esteem among its citizens.

With the appointment of seasoned veteran Cullan Mirrowell as a member of the ruling council, the Beregost Militia began to take shape when he was promoted to its Commander, honed by his disciplined tutelage. A burst of post-occupation patriotism saw ranks swell gently, though an impending push for enlistment is rumoured.

New business seemed attracted to Beregost come to Tarsakh, coaxed perhaps by the reinstitution of autonomy being enjoyed anew in the town and the notable lack of Amnian tariff in the wake of their withdrawal. Among these are included Clarity Cellars, an up-and-coming distributor of wine seeking to expand into the area.

The Song of the Morning temple under the Most Radiant Kelddath Ormlyr continues to enjoy the favour of Lathander and the faith of many citizens, though the quiet unfurling of Chauntean worship begins to roll through the outskirts of Beregost lately as well.

Mysteriously, a crew of workpeople scheduled to break ground on a new construction project in the spring have sustained a few grievous injuries to their numbers and at least one fatality due to a freak accident on the job site, effectively pushing the project further and further back into the year.


-Candlekeep-

The scholars of Candlekeep continue their diligent recording and archiving of many regional events of the Sword Coast, Northern Amn, and the Western Heartlands, as well as safekeeping the knowledge so tirelessly obtained. The library-fortress has seen the position of Guide changed thrice over the years. The currently ordained Guide of Candlekeep is Isabella Villame, former Gatewarden of Candlekeep.

-Elves of the Sword Coast-

Village of Doron Amar has seen a sudden growth in population and expansion of the settlement. Supposedly, they’ve also received refugees from a distant elven enclave and, to this day, take care of making sure their lives are safe and days are well.

The matters of their forest have been turbulent, involving a suspicious poisonous mushrooms appearing in the area and an increased amount of spider attacks to which fell several human rangers and travellers, but in the end the matter was resolved and the forest’s fringes have became more safer once more.
Misty Forest’s inhabitants have witnessed and felt immense amounts of atrocities inflicted upon the woodland creatures by the infernal forces of Dragonspear Castle. Many hybsils, treants and elves were killed in what seemed to be a war for survival of entire forest. In the end, however, the fey, elves and other sylvan inhabitants have united under one banner and have driven away the invaders from their woods.

Much damage was done at the edge of this ancient forest. Patches of dead earth, burned trees and now-ruined fortresses what emanate with feelings of dread. Some say that even though the fiends were driven out, the sylvan creatures remain vigilant against anyone who would wish to inflict more harm upon Misty Forest.


-Kraak Helzak-

Kraak Helzak has seen small political changes inside its halls- ones that supposedly aren’t of any big relevance to outsiders. The dwarven kingdom, however, was attacked by an army of a Troll Queen from one of the trollish kingdoms in Troll Hills. The fight was, supposedly, fierce and it ended with the Troll Queen killed in an explosion that also ruined the dwarven bridge leading to their hold.

The king of Kraak Helzak was, reputedly, severely wounded in that battle, but has recovered ever since then. Now the word spreads that the dwarven kingdom, while remaining mostly isolationist since last year, remains in high alert and issues frequent patrols around the hills of their home in order to keep any intrusions of monsters in check.


Recent Developments on Trade and Economy in Baldur's Gate

The economy of Baldur's Gate has been further flourishing and developing since last year. Much of the former boom on silk consumption has stabilised, with Sembian and Calishite competitors in silk trade breaking the Zhentarim near-monopoly on those goods. Amnian supply remains stable. The Sembian silk route to and from Baldur's Gate, first initiated by Darius Holding Company, seems to have persevered against its trials. Merchants look towards its further development and if it'll survive the following years.

On the other hand, there has been a severe shortage of Silver in the region due to the eruption of Dragonspear War. It's said that many military groups, including the Flaming Fist, have been stocking up on silver in order to process it into Alchemical Silver weapons for the time of war against fiends. As a result, Baldur's Gate has faced the so-called "Silver Deficit" going as far as giving buyers and merchants a harder time to find jewellery crafted from silver as well as silver coins.

The significant void of silver had attempts at being mended by groups such as Darius Holding Company, Sword Coast Commercial Exchange, Golden Arrow Mercantile Company and few other organisations. Their efforts have significantly aided in bringing the precious metal back into the market, but it still remained a much harder obtainable resource than before. Rumours suggest that other realms, such as Amn and Calimshan may be earning atrocious amounts of gold on, what some may consider "abusing", the fact of its increased need and, by the same extension, value.

There has been a noticeable rise in popularity for various types of exotics and magical items, primarily wands, magical jewellery and other assortments of trinkets. Imported goods from distant Calimshan, such as carpets, spices, alcohol and silks, have gained more notoriety in Baldur’s Gate this year, as did wares brought by peddlers from distant east- Sembian wines and textiles, some silver and from vellum the Vast and dried fruits and crystal-ware from distant Turmish.

Baldur's Gate and the Choir of Screams
For the past year Baldurs gate was plagued by strange dreams and nightmares from an unknown source. Several groups and patrons investigated the subject of the disturbance. The next several nights we accompanied by strange occurrences. Blood smeared messages painted across the city warning of impending peril. One of which messages were marked across the Ilmater shine with the simple infernal word for “Suffer”. As the Tendays went on. Tieflings and Aasimar experienced strange dreams corresponding to their heritage. Tieflings experienced dreams drawing them in to join in arms against the city, while Aasimar saw a beautiful angelic woman who comforted them against a pack of vicious all black dogs.

In the coming tendays it would be discovered something more sinister was lurking within the sewers. The source of the blood would be uncovered in bodies found in the long cobble tunnel ways drained of blood. Unworldly slimes of blood lurked around the sewers killing those who enter.

A large force of adventurers and Flaming Fist soldiers combed through the damp catacombs and removed all of the slimes. Days after a task force of volunteers including the Ilmater shrine travelled through the sewers scrubbing away the rest of the residue. Duke Belt proclaimed the sewers to be cleaner than he'd ever seen before.

About this time, the people of Baldur’s Gate reported coming down with a sickness. Tieflings were reported as going mad. Crime increased for these planar touched creatures all around the city. When a banquet was held to discuss the matter with concerned citizens, a dark red or brown tiefling attacked the Duke Palace with a makeshift bomb of sorts. The fire was quickly extinguished, nevertheless, the city was put on edge.

Actions were taken by the Mystran Temple and the Shrine of Ilmater to deal with the symptoms of the dreams. Wards were placed in the Ilmater shrine and around the city to protect the most vulnerable. It would seem the city wasn’t getting any closer to finding out the source. That was until the work of the Darius Company and Radiant Heart pressed the issue.

The citizens of Baldur's Gate investigated the source of the dreams and found themselves among the graveyard not far from the city. There they stood in front of a large angelic statue. Visions of the angelic women from the dreams plagued their minds. It was then they saw her true face. The wings of the women were red and dark. The Erinyes was revealed. The Choir of Screams was upon them.

The inner caverns of the graveyard were investigated and the dream weaver was destroyed. It was then the suspicion of two sources came true.


Buldoth The Arrogant
A malicious devil only called “Buldoth” was discovered in the catacombs. Sources debate if the devil was working for or against the Erinyes. What was certain was the dreams were not over, and only got worse after that point. Nightmares were spread through blood and the messages around the city seemed to increase.

The leathery black creature intimidated the city through fire and a haunting howling scream. The messages among the city seemed to suggest the strange dark creature was gathering strength to level the city. Reports of the creature were seen from Baldur's Gate to Soubar. Word even came from Waterdeep that a small town of Kenneth was completely levelled and burned by a creature with the same description.

As the tendays would follow, red orbs began appearing around the city streets. The Flaming Fist escorted citizens home, and would not allow for anyone to linger on the streets at night. Those brave enough to investigate the orbs found them to be scrying orbs. In the coming days, the red orbs would inflict harm on several citizens.

Then in the next few days, the orbs mysterious left as quickly as they arrived.

((We've been running late, so Amn and Soubar blurbs were left off while they're still in works. These will be added at a later date to this thread, so fear not!))
~All Their Days are Numbered~
~Campaign Coordinator for 1353DR, 1354DR and 1355DR Metaplot~
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