Rumours of Baldur's Gate

[DM Illuminated]

Rumors swirl around the Trade Way of a haunting at the Friendly Arm Inn.

Bentley Mirrorshade is said to have employed a group of adventurers to help with the problem so that he could continue his business in peace. Through first-hand experience and a myriad of stories, the adventurers set out to try and reunite the spirits of a husband and wife that had been parted in the afterlife.

A hint was given by Bentley that a woman that knew the ghosts haunting the inn could be found in “The Heart of Cloakwood.” The adventurers took the lead, and followed it.

Once in Cloakwood, the party discovered a woman—a Shadow Druid—who began to taunt them, telling them that the woman they were looking for would be killed before she was found.

One man decided to take the woman captive as they continued on their search deeper into the wood. Once there the group found a number of Shadow Druids fighting an elven woman atop a felled tree, fifteen feet above a ravine.

The fight was fierce but in the end the group pulled through and was able to save the elf. She thanked them and gave them a wedding ring that belonged to her sister—now one of the ghosts at the Friendly Arm Inn.

A few fights later and the ghostly husband and wife were reunited in peace—and in death. A calm, soothing feeling suddenly overtook the Inn. Bentley was grateful to the adventurers for helping him with his problem, and offered a free round of drinks to everyone involved.

There was still one problem however. The captured Shadow Druid was turned in to the Flaming Fist.

Now more speculations and rumors arise. “What will the Shadow Druids do?” “Will they take revenge?” “Will they slay innocents within the forest?” “Is there a war brewing?”

One thing is for certain: There is more darkness on the horizon for the Sword Coast....

[theDarkOne]

It is dark on the Trade Way and a lone figure walks in the night, cloaked in darkness. He walks with a slow, purposeful stride... graceful and powerful.

Several people passed the figure as he traveled in the direction of Baldur's Gate, but none knew his name. It was dark but clear and the stars shone brightly. The moon was at the horizon, full and beautiful to behold.

The man stopped on his path and looked to his left, toward the top of a hill and began to climb. At the top was the Shrine of Silvanus. A monument known to many, but visited by few. Bandits patrolled the area often, but none bothered the mysterious figure as he knelt there now. Whether they left him alone out of fear or if they did not know he was there is not known. Nothing dramatic happened. No signs from Silvanus. No weather change. Not even a slight breeze was present. All was eerily calm and quiet.

The man draped in black cloaks and hooded did not say anything or make any dramatic movements. He simply knelt at the alter and was silent.

Before the moon disappeared behind the horizon he stood. A large raven flew from the tree nearby and landed on his arm.

"I suppose something must be done about all of this, my friend. Things cannot be allowed to proceed as they have been. The Shadow Druids, and indeed the forest, have suffered far too much." He shakes his head and returns to the Cloakwood, a gnarled walking staff in one hand, and the Raven on his shoulder.

[theDarkOne]

*A man opposes several adventurers in the Cloakwood. He is entirely cloaked in dark browns and black, hooded and masked.*

The dark figure stood opposite several adventurers in the Cloakwood. He leaned on a dark, gnarled staff in his left hand. And in his right hand he held a spear, fingers of electricity crackled and hissed as they arced across the length of the shaft.

These are the words he spoke. "I am the Shadow Master. It is my Will that is done in this forest and I will no longer tolerate those who defile it.

Nature is our life-force, and her Balance is the Will of the Enclave. Let it be known to all adventurers that the Enclave of Shadow will destroy all who violate Her.

The Awakening has happened, and the Shadow Master will no longer sleep."

He disappears in the shadows of the trees, and the forest suddenly came to life. It was apparent then that he was not alone. Shadow Druids moved out of the shadows to make their presence known and then disappeared. An eerie chittering sound was heard throughout, and then the very floor of the forest seemed to crawl with spiders, and they too disappeared. The very trees seemed to move, and it was apparent that treants were among their allies.

And one figure stood out, but only purposefully. A dark ranger showed himself briefly, bow in hand. It was Khamul the Black, the ranger of Shadow. Tall and dark he was, cloaked and mysterious. His bow was powerful and his arrows enchanted, and his skill with it is unrivaled. For a brief moment he let the adventurers see him, and then he too was gone.

The adventurers had been warned.


******************************* The Shadow Master as He Appears to the Adventurers *******************************


mauglir_the_dark-LG by Mauglir, on Flickr

******************************* Khamul the Black as He Appears to the Adventurers *******************************


Khamul the Black by Mauglir, on Flickr

[DM Vindicator]

Word spreads from the Church of Tyr warning merchants and travelers alike to be cautious when journeying in the lands north of Baldur's Gate. The nagas of the Serpent Hills to the northeast have grown more aggressive as of late, raiding merchants camped near Boareskyr Bridge and possibly other targets. Members of the Order of the Radiant Heart were seen returning to the city looking bloodied and battered with some children who were reportedly kidnapped from that settlement.

Additionally, increased activity in the Fields of the Dead, especially at night, is cause for more treacherous traveling conditions between Daggerford and the Gate.

[mute83]

*A ranger looking male, have been seen moving through the Cloakwood. Sometimes, just standing there, watching people, and not doing an efford of not being spottet. For them to move back into the shadows and showing up in a different spot, a little later*

[Ithilan]

On a warm summer day, a young and beautifull red haired woman is seen strolling about in Merielle's gardens outside the Mercy Orphanage. She hums lightly as she wanders about attending the flowerbeds carefully, while buzzing bee's circle around her and the petals of the beautifull and many diffrent flowering plants.

A childrens laughter and sweet scent of cinamon is carried upon a gentle breeze and a few farmers are heard idly chatting about this new helper as one snorts and looks at the other

"Wish me wife kne' 'ow ta bak em cookies ta"

In the evening the young woman is seen departing the Orphanage and heading back into Baldurs Gate, her face carries a lingering and satisfied smile.

[Seronic]

Additionally, increased activity in the Fields of the Dead, especially at night, is cause for more treacherous traveling conditions between Daggerford and the Gate.

With the increased activity of the undead in the Fields of the Dead, a golden cloaked and hooded man can be seen battling the abominations throughout all hours of the day, though mostly in the darker hours.

[Ivan38Rus]

Deep inside the Cloakwood, rangers have came upon a dreadful sight. Horribly mutilated corpses were lying in circle, surrounding a badly damaged wagon, in the very center rested a severed head with Bhaal's insignia carved on its forehead.

As it was later discovered, the wagon was owned by an old man who ran the lottery in Friendly Arm Inn just a few days ago. Poor souls were given a proper burial and rangers informed locals of Bhaalists' activity.

[flying-aces]

Word spreads from the Church of Tyr warning merchants and travelers alike to be cautious when journeying in the lands north of Baldur's Gate. The nagas of the Serpent Hills to the northeast have grown more aggressive as of late, raiding merchants camped near Boareskyr Bridge and possibly other targets. Members of the Order of the Radiant Heart were seen returning to the city looking bloodied and battered with some children who were reportedly kidnapped from that settlement.

Additionally, increased activity in the Fields of the Dead, especially at night, is cause for more treacherous traveling conditions between Daggerford and the Gate.

Rumor has it a black clad elven archer has been seen disappearing into the area to the north occasionally. Some say its the same one rumored to have been in the tall tale about the troll.

[DM Vindicator]

There was quite a lot of activity in the farmlands just outside the East Gate of Baldur's Gate last night when drow were spotted attacking adventurers north of Mercy Orphanage. The Flaming Fist who guard the path into the Fields of the Dead were quick to respond, raising the alarm in the process. Before long, paladins of the Triad and Fist soldiers arrived to aid the adventurers in pushing back the threat. When the area was secure, an adventuring force moved north into the Fields to investigate.

[Valefort]

The swordsman and bard Mealir Ostirel was seen in many taverns at the docks in the Gate during the last nights, the tavern owners welcomed him as he clearly stated he offered his services for free.

Along the classical tavern songs Mealir sang a new song, with an easy and simple melody, one everyone can remember without problem.

Near the inn, at the fire
You can find someone of valor
A Bard and a true warrior !
Someone you could admire

But let him speak
And it's asylum you seek
Training and paladin's perfume
Don't leave much rooom

Helm here, Helm there
The rabid dog barks everywhere
Passer-by, helping hands
Without perfume, you can't be grand

Purple is his cape
Shiny armor on this ape
Sword or shovel
Time to grovel

[Heaven's Mistress]

A relatively unknown woman with red hair, and often in the company of a large white cat, leaves Baldur's Gate looking unsettled. When she isn't speaking in her native tongue to the cat at her side, she can be heard warning others of a Demonologist imprisoning spirits in a 'Dead place'... saying haltingly, and looking confused that the gnome said it was a 'pocket plane' and that they should seek mages. With utmost surety she does speak of a priestess spirit, who aided them in that 'Dead Place'. After helping free the spirit from the Demonologist, the spirit asked that they warn others.

And warn she has. Any that she sees. "To Honor the one unnamed, who has passed. The least I can do for the aid she offered me when I lost my way."

She introduces herself as Eira'lynn, speaking in heavily accented Common, and apologizing that the speech is new to her. She does not remain in any particular place long, but she does travel familiar paths, seeming to spend much of her time trying to help the rabid wolves near Baldur's Gate... and the undead within the city graveyard that "do not rest as they should..."

[Charraj]

Rumor has it that Charraj has been banished from the city of Baldur's Gate. Those who see the cross of banishment burned into his forehead confirm this for themselves.
Speculation seems to run rampant as to why Istari Tower has been locked down.

[Randall]

A hanging in Baldurs'!





Rumors spread in taverns that Randall "The beast" Armstrong, in the FLaming Fist's jail since several months, will finally be get his punishment tomorow in the evening (east) for the following crimes:

• Cannibalism.
• Murder.
• Kidnaping.
• The beating of fist officer and members.
• The beaking of his banishement from Baldur's gate by the Dukes.
• And probably many more.

The human beast is to be hanged, until death follows.



//// OOC, but I thought that was funny. =p

[Fists:] The Beast will make out with your daughters!
[Mob:] {gasp}
[Fists:] He'll come after them in the night.
[Father:] No!
[Fists:] We're not safe till his head is mounted on my wall! I say we kill the Beast!
[Mob:] Kill him!
[Man I:]
We're not safe until he's dead
[Man II:]
He'll come stalking us at night
[Woman:]
Set to sacrifice our children to his monstrous appetite
[Man III:]
He'll wreak havoc on Baldur's Gate if we let him wander free
[Fists:]
So it's time to take some action, boys
It's time to hang the beast!

Through the mist
Through the woods
Through the darkness and the shadows
It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride
Say a prayer
Then we're there
At the entrance of a dark cave
And there's something truly terrible inside
It's a beast
He's got fangs
Razor sharp ones
Massive hands
Killer blade for the feast
Hear him roar
See him foam
But we're not coming home
'Til he's dead
Good and dead
Kill the Beast!

[Saime:] No! I won't let you do this!
[Fists:] If you're not with us, you're against us!
Bring Gareut!
[Gareut:] Get your hands off me!
[Fists:] We can't have them running off to warn the beast!
[Saime:] Let us out!
[Fists:] We'll rid the sword coast of this Beast. Who's with me?
[Mob:] I am! I am! I am!

Light your torch
Mount your horse

[Fists:] Screw your courage to the sticking place
[Mob:] We're counting on the fists to save us!
Through a mist
Through a wood
There on the beach within a dark lair
Something's lurking that you don't see ev'ry day
It's a beast
One as tall as a mountain
We won't rest
'Til he's good and deceased
Sally forth
Tally ho
Grab your sword
Grab your bow
Praise the triad and here we go!

[Fists:] We'll lay siege to the beach and bring back his head!
[Saime:] I have to warn the Beast! I don't want him dead! Oh, Gareut,
what are we going to do?
[Gareut:] Now, now, we'll think of something.

[Mob:] We don't like
What we don't understand
In fact it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least
Bring your bows
Bring your knives
Save your children and your wives
We'll save the sword coast and our lives
We'll hang the Beast!

[Gareut]

//*Coughs.* Next time give me better role. *Mutters.*