The campaign timeline is written largely from the perspective of the Duchal Court in Baldur's Gate City. It documents the goings-on on the Sword Coast, historical events, and achievements of various sorts. For example the events of the Amn - Baldur's Gate war in 1347 DR, during which Beregost became an Amnian protectorate. You can read more about that here.
Anyone who has an addition, please address them via PM to the DM usergroup, who is responsible for keeping it updated. Server events are in light blue.
Some excellent sources for non-server-specific FORGOTTEN REALMS history can be found at:
http://dnd.eizzn.com/, and,
http://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time_notable.html
A concise, if not complete, timeline in graphical format (courtesy of DM_Xzar and PiaMango): http://mashupforge.com/map/bgtscc/
1357 DR (2021) - Year of the Prince
*CURRENT IN-GAME YEAR*
- Luskan destroys the harbor and much of the fleet of Ruathym then lands troops on the island, waging a war to conquer the island. Ulphron, First Axe of Ruathym, disappears. Luskan forces plunder Ruathym and subjugate the population and shipping. Aumark Lithyl, one of Knights of Myth Drannor, leads a defense of the island.
- After a particularly vicious battle between the forces of Hillsfar and those of Zhentil Keep, the Hillsfar faction, led by Maalthiir, wins control of Yûlash. Zhent forces begin massing in Voonlar to strike back, and preparing for war in Zhentil Keep itself.
- Shandril Shessair kills a dracolich of the Cult of the Dragon. The Sembian Cult of the Dragon cell also suffers, as Shandril costs the cell three dracoliches (Shargrailar the Dark, Rauglothgor the Proud, and Aghazstamn) and two Wearers of Purple.
- The Zhentilar retake Yûlash with an inferior number of troops supported by powerful magic. The troops from Hillsfar retreat from the city, allowing the Zhents time to reinforce the devastated city’s defenses.
- Salamander War: The Red Wizards of Thay open a gate to the Elemental Plane of Fire and begin a campaign against the North Coast cities of Escalant, Murbant, and Thasselen. Escalant is besieged by fire elementals. Finally, Escalant and Laothkund fall to the Thayans and the elementals as most of the Wizards' Reach falls under Thayan rule.
- The Company of the Cloak forms in Scornubel under the leadership of the minor mage Mhair Gulzrabban.
- The Knights of Myth Drannor destroy the portal to Avernus located in the ruins of Myth Drannor.
- Dabron Sashenstar returns to Baldur's Gate after a successful expedition to Sossal.
- Thaalim Torchtower rises to lead the lawless men of the Tunlands between the Storm Horns and the Sunset Mountains. Rumors spread that he has spies in all the settlements of Cormyr (though in reality he only has one spy in Eagle's Peak).
- Haspur, a seer in Baldur's Gate, has a vision that prophesies the rediscovery of the Ring of Winter in the near future. During his vision, he seemed very upset but could recall nothing when he broke out of his trance.
- Manshoon and Fzoul Chembryl take ill but are healed.
- Khelben Arunsun shatters the Crown of Horns, freeing Laeral Silverhand from Myrkul's evil influence. He returns to Blackstaff Tower in Waterdeep with her to help her heal; within three years, they are inseparable, and Laeral is often referred to as Lady Arunsun.
- In the guise of the halfling Regis, the assassin Artemis Entreri comes to Mithral Hall. He battles Drizzt Do'Urden, but is defeated and left for dead. However, he is later rescued by Jarlaxle and the Bregan D'aerthe, who take him to Menzoberranzan. Later this year, while Drizzt and Catti-brie escape the city, he joins them.
- Shandril Shessair later kills a clone of Manshoon, collapses Irondrake Rock, slays the lichnee Iliph Thraun and does heavy damage to Zhentil Keep and the Citadel of the Raven with spellfire.
- The Dragon Cult and Zhentarim continue to hunt Shandril, until finally she immolates herself in spellfire.
- Waterdeep mediates a truce between Luskan and Ruathym. However, Luskan and Ruathym, together with Tuern and the Whalebones, subsequently make an alliance to raid settlements down the Sword Coast.
- Lady Alustriel forges an alliance with Bruenor Battlehammer of Mithral Hall and helps defend the dwarf halls against the drow of House Baenre.
- Large bands of orcs are reported to be on the move between Baldur's Gate and Amn. They are avoiding contact and moving stealthily.
- After being banished from Amn for threatening to kill other merchants with magical creatures he controls or conjures from his home in Murann, Shairkash moves to the town of Beregost. He begins threatening competing traders just as he did in the Merchant's Nation.
- A second Thayan army, this one bolstered by zombies, invades Rashemen but is turned back.
1356 DR (2020) - Year of the Worm
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- - Drizzt Do'Urden and Wulfgar kill the white dragon Icingdeath.
- Bruenor Battlehammer slays the shadow dragon Shimmergloom, drives out its servant duergar, and proclaims himself the Eighth King of Mithral Hall.
- Artemis Entreri kidnaps Regis and flees to Calimport. Drizzt and the Companions of the Hall journey to Calimport, rescue Regis, and destroy Pasha Pook's guild. The Companions return to Mithral Hall, while Regis remains in Calimport to run the former Pasha's operation.
- Selfaril of Mulmaster and the tharchioness of Thay, known as the First Princess of Thay, exhange gifts.
- Princess Alusair Nacacia runs away, vanishing from the royal palace in Suzail.
- Death of Syluné of Shadowdale.
- Lashan of Scardale attempts to take over the Dalelands and fails.
- Lyran the Pretender attacks Shadowdale.
- Queen Yenandra, suffering the ravages of old age and disease, is willingly transformed into a spectral guardian by her wizard daughter Hasifir and several drow sorcerers. Hasifir assumes the throne.
- Demons tunnel from Hellgate Keep to the Nameless Dungeon.
- Ruathym attacks and sinks a Luskanite caravel after persons unknown (at the time) stole the Tome of the Unicorn from the Green Library. Luskan responds by destroying much of Ruathym's fleet and invades the island itself. After months of fighting, Ruathym's defenders drive the High Captains of Luskan back to their ships.
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- - Zhentil Keep attacks its Moonsea allies and takes Citadel of the Raven as its own.
- Civil war breaks out in Yûlash. Zhentil Keep and Hillsfar move troops to Yûlash.
- Retreat of the elves from Cormanthor reaches its peak.
- Shaerl Rowanmantle sent by Vangerdahast to Shadowdale. Shaerl and Mourngrym wed.
- Dwalimar Omen, an agent of Zalathorm, departs Halruaa in the Realms Master, a special skyship equiped with the Astrolabe of Nimbral, to collect dangerous artifacts across Faerûn.
- Helm Dwarf-friend becomes the sixth Ruling Master of Sundabar.
- Amril Zoar, scion of the exiled Waterdhavian family of the same name, slays two secret Lords of Waterdeep
and badly woulds Open Lord Piergeiron. After being apprehended, he is spared execution by the intercession of Storm Silverhand of the Harpers.
- As the year begins, Hellsteel Tower's influence expands ever southwards. The pall of smoke over the Troll Hills grows ever thicker, sheltering mines, slaving camps and fortifications, as well as Hellsteel Tower itself. Raiding parties of devils leading hosts of slave trolls swarm like locusts across the northern Fields of the Dead even starting to reach, and in some cases even cross, the Winding Water. The northern settlement of Tymount becomes a fortified hub of these raids. Rumours persist that the Troll Hills themselves are riddled with screaming, sobbing spectres that are drawn to all life not in service to Hellsteel Tower and its vile, metallic master, Crualax. Despite these obstacles, somehow, clandestine operations by those loyal to Baldur's Gate had made contact with a former foe of the City, the Netherese Archlich known as The General, who had now set himself against the Devils. Armed with The General's aid, these shadowy saviours were able to arm Duke Eltan with detailed dispositions of the devil forces and defences. Updated intelligence reports were provided by the Northern Watch, who acted as an irregular adjunct to the Flaming Fist for the remainder of the campaign. Springing into action after a month of quiet preparation, The Flaming Fist march out in force against the Devils in what became known as the Tymount Offensive. Duke Eltan's plan called for multiple waves of assault, each a ruse for the next. First, General Scar openly crossed the Winding Water with a large force spearheaded by adventurers, causing the devils to deploy their forces in the vicinity of Tymount to counter this thread. Then, an elite force assaulted Tymount by magical teleportation, which caused the Hell Steel Tower to deploy its main slave army to prevent their forces on the Winding Water being encircled. Finally, massed assaults crossed the river in multiple places, encircling and drawing to battle the Devil's troll slave forces, as well as elements of the fearsome Hellsteel Legion itself. The day is a decisive victory, with the devil slave army much reduced in number and their fortification in Tymount destroyed. The defeat would have been total but for the intervention of the Hellsteel Legion, which manages to cut its way out of the encirclement. Many are lauded for their part in the engagements, and of particular favour are Grand Knight Aaron Lyonaler and Derik Ranloss, who win themselves into Duke Eltan's counsels for their part in the fighting. Following the battle, the Flaming Fist sets up a fortified line on the Winding Water, guarded by five forts. These developments mean that for a time the farmland south of the river stands protected and Baldur's Gate will not starve.
- During Spring, Baldur's Gate stockpiles for a further offensive while Duke Eltan holds several military counsels to plan further operations. Meanwhile, Hellsteel Tower marshals further forces to replenish its losses, recruiting human cultists and goblin thralls. Rumours spring up of devil influence in Roaringshore, as piracy begins to take a toll on shipping in the waters north of Baldur's Gate. With the Flaming Fist tied up in the north, the city is forced to look to unconventional anti-pirate measures, when they authorise a former Amnian admiral funded by the Badgers Trading Company, Darius Holding Company and Adelaide van der Saer, to commission a small fleet of privateers. Little comes of the pirate threat during the war on the back of this.
- With the heat of summer come the flames of war, as Hellsteel Tower begins offensives on the Winding Way Line. Slave armies are driven south, and the Hellsteel Legion engages directly with the Flaming Fist numerous times. Casualties are heavy, although a wide range of organizations move to support the Flaming Fist, and many heroes are forged in the heat of battle near General Scar's camp and in other engagements up and down the line. A notable face at General Scar's fort is Jalib, who is originally sentenced to community service, but grows into something of a folk hero thanks to his tireless efforts and boundless resolve against the Devils. A further frequent presence at the northern front lines are the Northern Watch based out of Baldur's Gate, under the command of their leader Wren. Meanwhile, the Lord's Alliance at large commits to the war, with reinforcements arriving from the various Lord's Alliance powers. The cities of Iriaebor, Neverwinter, Mirabar, Citadel Adbar, Sundabar and Silverymoon all committed troops, as did Baldur's Gate's regional ally, Elturel.
- With the fall, Hellsteel's legions press harder, and causalities rise. Thanks to the reinforcements from the Lord's Alliance, most attacks are repulsed, but the devils are successful in their main assault and raze the fort held by Captain Yulimtul, opening a gaping hole in Baldur's Gate's defences, leading to desperate fighting with Eltan being forced to commit the troops he had been marshalling for an offensive of his own in advance of an assault. Yet, when the disaster was turned around it became clear that finally a moment of decision could be forced. If the allied forces could engage the devils now before their slaves were once more replenished, final victory could be reached. And so, with the fires of the Foehammer in their hearts, the Flaming Fist marched at the head of a force of allies to battle the Hellsteel Host directly. Tempus was with the faithful, appearing at their sides and aiding in the smashing of the devil force and Hellsteel Tower's fortifications. The fleeing Crualax, vowing revenge, was caught by a team of adventurers and brought low, and the war for Hellsteel tower was won.
- The newly independent town of Beregost established a new town council to run its affairs.
- The orcs of Uruk Lurra were somewhat diminished throughout the year, with a number of the settlement’s orcish members joining the side of Dragonspear Castle and the devils against their foes. The orcs, or their Chieftan Grimnail, 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.
- The Loyal Hammer company of Zhentilar occupy Soubar in defense against the devils threat, with a precarious peace and understanding between them and their Darkhold masters on the one hand and Mag, The Ebon Blade, and other denizens of Soubar on the other.
- Hellriders of Elturel on standing orders from the High Rider Lord Dhelt himself continue their patrols against the Zhentarim trade routes and supply lines in the Western Heartlands, with Zhentarim on high alert from such threats. The forces of Elturean Lords' Alliance ally Berdusk also join the Hellriders of Elturel in joint patrols and combat operations from the Hellrider base at Triel.
- Henryk the Damaran of Tyr, The Golden Arrow Company, and other cooperating adventurers, win plaudits for their immense efforts and care to assist refugees from the northern settlement of Tymount ravaged by the devils during the year, saving many of the refugees from hardship and death and helping many to safely settle in Baldur's Gate.
- Doron Amar underwent an upgrade to its settlement, with several new houses being built to accommodate the already existing Evereskan settlers, who had otherwise been living in tenants for the previous two years. These initiatives have seen Doron Amar grow in size and population of elves, though the rate of growth began to slow later in the year.
- A major research expedition was undertaken by scholars of Candlekeep to the Cloud Peaks of Northern Amn. The mission resulted in Laitae Lafreth, a Great Reader of Candlekeep, becoming a Chosen of Mystra herself, with Laitae then permanently leaving her home in Candlekeep and her position as Great Reader to study the mysterious Nether Scrolls. Overall, 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.
- Devilish Lord Yhogovolish the Invincible took possession of an old silver mine in The Troll Claws and began a campaign to mine silver to manufacture Devilish magic items for plots sinister and vast. Adventurers Israe'anne, Phaele Doranti, Thar Talapoire, Delphine Rosewood discovered this threat and engaged the Elder Circle to fight back. The Blade Foundation members Addallan, Rania, Lannia, Derik, and Bergrim additionally discovered slaves being used in the mine and rescued them. As the Devil Lord began to accumulate more magical items, the Elder Circle and Thieves Guild allied to gather intelligence and jointly face the threat. The Golden Arrow and The Golden Wheel then supplied a mounted Flaming Fist expedition that failed to capture the devilish mine, with Remmy, Mel, Inana Dhaernor, Bethany, Raivon, Kiran, Rush Shipley, Keldray Melvar, Firozara, and Felino involved in particular. The Elder Circle then lead a scouting expedition to find an easier way into the mine, but was driven off. The Ebon Blade led by Baron Griel then recovered a book detailing the existence of a Bane weapon sought by the Yhogovolish, while another Ebon Blade force lead by Richard Dunn captured some of the silver taken by Yhogovolish.
- Kraak Helzak defended its kingdom from numerous devil attacks during the year, while recovering a ballista from Dwarves of the Moonshae Isles to used in future defense. The Elder Circle visited obtained information regarding an alliance between the undead Polvich the Lich and the devil Paeliyron, accounting for increased undead in attacks on Kraak Helzak in conjunction with devil offensives. A joint force of the two factions and many adventurers later slew Paeliyron and the undead threat. The dwarven kingdom was additionally attacked by an army of a Troll Queen from one of the trollish kingdoms in the 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 the kindgom's hold. The king of Kraak Helzak was, reputedly, severely wounded in the trollish battle, but recovered over the remainder of the year. The dwarves of Kraak Helzak are said to remain vigilant throughout the remainder of the year against any threats to their kingdom.
- The northern settlement of Kheldrivver is surrounded by mist of devilish design, but the Elder Circle gather a means to cure the mists from Fey and push the mists back, defeating and liberating the settlement.
- Lord Dippledop and his Lantan Hardly Floatsum vessel gain fame for their involvement in various anti-devil campaigns of the year.
- The Everwatch and Doron Amar engage in numerous joint patrols and security operations around Nashkel, Beregost, and Gullykin, aiming for stability in the region against various local threats, including threats from waves of necromancered undead and sinister hydra attacks.
- The Sword Coast Commercial Exchange obtain a manufacturing operation to build trebuchets and barriers for Baldur's Gate, including for the Flaming Fist at the front lines against the devils threat, personally received by General Lady Moruene.
- Maximilian Blackthorne of Baldur's Gate, a Zhetnarim defector in years earlier, obtained Lordship as a result of years of service to Baldur's Gate and the Grand Dukes, but also, in part, as a reward for his generalship in command of anti-devils forces during the year.
- Roaringshore knows prosperity during the war between the Devils and Baldur's Gate. Freshly forged arms and armaments are found within the enclave and the High Captain is often seen with shadowy, robed figures believed to be in service to the Devils. Pirates are active and united in attempting to blockade the waters near Baldur's Gate, although Baldurian anti-piracy measures do limit the success of this. Meanwhile, High Captain Karn sails to Ruathym and rallies promises of support from his kinsmen for a grand raid on the cities of the Sword Coast, while High Captain Karghuth has similar success in the south. The victory of Baldur's Gate in the war on Hellsteel tower and the disappearance of High Captain Karn seem to have averted this attack, for now at least, but the ground work of a grand pirate alliance has been laid and may yet bear fruit.
- Commander Esbedi-Aleyda Reyes and a contingent of Amnian soldiers moved into Nashkel from Eshpurta during the year, as part of a general Amnian military build up in Northern Amn that is later publicly found to be part of Amnian defensive operations against the devils in the north. When a devils force of thousands goes south from Dragonspear Castle to Amn, likely seeking powerful artifacts in Amn's possession or in its territorial surroundings, The Amnian Council Army is waiting in a massive defensive counterattack under the command General Labak Craumerdaun (Commander-in-Chief of the Amnian Council Army himself) now known as The Battle of the Gap, with special operations assistance by the Amnian loyal Everwatch of Nashkel under the command of Paladin of Helm and Watcher Head Watchknight Wai Li and various other adventurers of the region. Stragglers and deserters of the devils army remain left in the Western Heartlands after battling with Amn. These leftover fiends may indeed take some time for Glorious Amn, or aiding adventurers, to platinumly extinguish.
- In what was termed The Great Siege of Dragonspear, the multi-year effort to oppose the infernals of Dragonspear ended victoriously for the combined forces of the Lords' Alliance and the Zhentarim, with the gates from the Hells in Dragonspear closed and the war ended. The battle saw forces marshaled in size not seen in the Western Heartlands since the Undead Wars of 1351 DR, with thousands of troops facing off against the infernals from various Lords’ Alliance and other factions including The Flaming Fist, volunteer adventurers and patriots of Baldur’s Gate, Hellriders of Elturel, Dwarven soldiers of Kraak Helzak, soldiers of Berdusk, soldiers of Waterdeep marching from Daggerford, famed wizards Elminster and Blackstaff, and soldiers of Iriaebor, among others. The volunteers participating in the Lords’ Alliance effort included many factions of the region such as House Darius and its Baldurian loyalist Steward Nathan, who also aided with wartime preparations and logistics throughout the year, Doron Amar, Candlekeep, House Vale, The Radiant Heart, The Silver Rose, The Ebon Blades, The Phoenix Company, Kraak Helzak, The Everwatch, the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange, and The Elder Circle, among others. The Loyal Hammer company of Zhentilar based in Soubar as well as troops and agents of Darkhold and House Blackrose also fought the infernals on separate fronts as well on behalf of the banner of the Zhentarim, under the leadership of Knight Commander of the Ebony Scepter Bob Thairo by order from Darkhold by Dreadlord and Castellan Morgalia Verenach herself. Kraak Helzak, operated under the leadership of Bhor Stonecutter among others of similar status to defend from related devils assaults in the direction of Kraak Helzak, with support by members of the Rocky Creek Trade Company, including Solomon Peyton, known as a booster of the Flaming Fist in their anti-devils efforts. Baldurian loyalist Grand Knight Aaron of the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary and militant and infamous Flaming Fist ally Jalib, lead the vanguards in the siege, while Vendor Xon, the famed ranger of the north, and Terri Xon of Phoenix Company, both heroes of the Undead Wars of 1351 DR, provided support for the mages of the vanguard and scouting ability at large.
1354 DR (2018) - Year of the Bow
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- - Maalthiir becomes ruler of Hillsfar.
- It is a year of prosperous harvest in the Realms.
- The Wyrmskull Throne is discovered by the Cowled Wizards.
of Amn.
- The House of the Lady (Temple of Tymora) is established in
Shadowdale.
- King Soarimbrar the Younger, under the regency of Queen
Sambryl, never formally acceded to the throne, for he was
murdered just days short of his coronation at the hands of
unknown assassins.
- Mulmaster's fleet is destroyed in a large navel battle with
ships of Zhentil Keep.
- The High Captains of Luskan come fully under the
sway of the Arcane Brotherhood, cementing its secret rule over
the city.
-Early in the year, there are rumors that the infamous Dragonspear Castle in the north is overrun with devilish fiends from the Hells, apparently from a portal to the lower planes source newly active within. A large warband of adventurers came together to try to quickly push back the infernal hordes before they may lay further claim on the castle, but alas they failed against the small battalion of devils that they met in field.
- The autumn of the year sees growing trouble in the Troll Hills, as mining ventures and fur trappers go missing or flee south, speaking of assaults by fearless trolls with infernal sigils branded into their skulls. A pall of smoke begins to grow in the sky over the Troll HIlls. By winter, Refugees begin to trickle south, as the troll raids spread down into the farming settlements of the Fields of the Dead. The trickle becomes a flood as the raids become more aggressive and numerous. Devils are now seen leading the raids, intent on enslaving all they can, likely sourced from the Dragonspear Castle portal connection to the Hells. The northern Fields of the Dead fall under devil occupation, as the fiends of the newly erected Hellsteel Tower raise their banners openly at last as the true source of the threat. The breadbasket that feeds Baldur's Gate as a result is put under direct risk. The forces are good are not inactive as the crisis develops on the Fields of the Dead. The Order of the Radiant Heart spearheads an allied evacuation effort of the village of Tymount, holding off the devil forces long enough to save hundreds of villagers, and killing many trolls in the process. A refugee is camp set up under supervision of the Order of the Radiant Heart, supported by the faithful churches of Helm, Torm, Tyr, Ilmater, Mystra and Tymora, as well as the clergy of the Halls of Inner Light. Many local groups contribute substantially to supporting the refugees, easing their hardships and work hard to find them employment and purpose: the Order of the Silver Rose, the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange, House Darius and its capable Steward Nathan, the Golden Arrow, the Golden Wheel, Rocky Creek Trading Company, the Phoenix Company, the Ebon Blade, the Bladestone Foundation and even briefly the Zhentarim. The Tyrran Knight Henryk Urde also formed an ad-hoc militia of Tymount refugees to help maintain order in the Camp, which fought and bled to save lives when demons of Orcus were summoned to assault the refugees and sow chaos.
- On the eve of winter a long and tense feud between Captain Karn Bjarngrim and High Captain Reynolds is settled in a parlay that explodes into bloody violence. High Captain Reynolds dies in a duel with Karn, who takes the role of High Captain for himself. However in an unprecedented step, former Baldurian nobleman Cyrano Ambrosio is elected as High Admiral and for the first time something approaching is found in Roaringshore. Rumours abound that the High Admiral received some strange, arcane help in his rise to power.
- Devilishly corrupted oozes, devilish mosquitoes, and allied trolls spring forth into the High Moor, invading from the newly established northern devil fortress of Ebondross Citadel, displacing the lizardman tribes of the swampish region. The infernal forces seemed to even be attempting to taint the swampish land of the lizards permanently, making it more like their originating layer of hell. Adventurers and factions come forth from Baldur's Gate, Soubar, the Zhentarim, and even as far as Amn to aid the lizards in their defense in a tenuous and complicated alliance, summoning an enormous spirit lizard defender of the lizard creatures, a sort of guardian of their ancestral brooding lands, in the process. In the end, the odd alliance defeats Ebondross Citadel and the devil invaders at moderate cost to lizard life.
- The Tolerance is Treason policy of Baldur's Gate begins a new era of harsh punishment for any consorting with or sheltering Drow in the city after alleged Drow attacks on Baldurian targets.
- The cultists of Mephistopheles and Mammon went into conflict with one another in Baldur's Gate, resulting in a s significant death toll of Baldurians involved and alarming many in the city.
- Multiple hellfire devices of devilish design were found to be planted in the Farmlands of Baldur's Gate. The first being found and destroyed by Aradove Stargleam, Quil, Othonis Neren, Rania Arrowaven, and Rhune. The second being found by by Amaranthe and Eldarian Al'maire. A fissure to the Hell realm of Cania near Baldur's Gate was also found and collapsed by Amaranthe, Eldarian Al'maire, Aeric, Arivain Fatesinger, and Siveyn around the same time.
- Planar touched beings living in Baldur's Gate were startled with having the same nightmares every night, with few answers as to the dream's meaning. Later, a malicious devil only called “Buldoth” was discovered in the catacombs of the undercity of Baldur's Gate and related a Baldurian named Zulandi and a group of adventurers discovered and eliminated a blood slime threat related to the new devil. Sources debate if the devil was working for or against devilish Erinyes otherwise threatening the city. What was certain was that the dreams of terror were not over, and only got worse after that point. The leathery black creature Buldoth 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 from below. Reports of the creature were seen from Baldur's Gate to Soubar. Word even came from Waterdeep that a small town of Kenneth nearby was completely leveled 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 and City Watch 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. But then the orbs mysterious left as quickly as they arrived. Many became involved to figure out how to perform a ritual to destroy the devil Buldoth for good. The effort as such in Baldur's Gate was lead by Steward Nathan of House Darius in alliance with the Church of Mystra and its member Syndreth, the EDE elves, and Grand Master Gaven of the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary. In the process, Nathan even assisted the Church of Ilmater and saved the life of an Ilmater priestess. After much effort and trial, Korvain and other EDE elves researched the final ritual means and true name of Buldoth and with an alliance of goodly factions and adventurers were able to complete the ritual of Buldoth's destruction and end the evil devil for good.
- The Farmlands of Baldur's Gate become blighted in spots for the first time since the Undead Wars of 1351 DR, with wells tainted, and necrotic ooze seeping into the fields.
- Hellfire devices were found in underground caverns on the fringes of the Baldur's Gate Farmlands, then destroyed by goodly adventurers.
- A cavern to Cania from the Material Plane in the Western Heartlands was discovered and subsequently collapsed for reasons unknown.
- An impenetrable dome of cold swept over one farmstead in the Baldur's Gate Farmlands, and a large infernal and undead attack swept the area in several waves of attack, the causes remaining a mystery.
- The Beregost and Amn beloved Governor-Sheriff de Oca is mysterious murdered in Beregost, ending a precarious peace in the town that results in Amn only nominally in control of Beregost, which Amn had conquered in the Amn-Gate War years earlier. In this chaotic state, many fear a renewed major military conflict over Beregost between Amn and the Lords' Alliance powers and the town is thrown into a security crisis after a series of monstrous threats also threaten it.
- A delegation of Everwatch loyal to Amn, lead by Nashkel based Watcher and Paladin of Helm Head Watchknight Wai Li, with long time positive relations with Beregost as well as Amn, initiate in protracted negotiations between the Amnian Council of Six and The Most Radiant Kelddath Ormlyr of Beregost to attempt to bring about a peaceful independence to Beregost that spares bloodshed for either party and protects Beregost's post-independence neutrality and security. The negotiations successfully conclude in The Beregost Accords, granting peaceful independence for Beregost from Amn and making the Everwatch custodians of the newly independent Beregost's neutrality, celebrated in a public ceremony in the town. The Everwatch additionally engaged in patrols of the approaches to Beregost before and after a treaty is concluded to help the town maintain stability.
-Misty Forest’s inhabitants witnessed and felt immense amounts of atrocities inflicted upon them 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 united under one banner and drove away the invaders from their woods with the assistance of the Doron Amar, the EDE, and the Order of the Silver Rose. Much damage was done at the edge of this ancient forest. Patches of dead earth, burned trees, and now-ruined fortresses abound. 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.
THE UNDERDARK
- The Underdark is quiet during the year, with most factions busy with their own affairs. One lasting development is the mercenary group Bregan D'aerthe gaining a controlling share in a gem mine, a substantial boost to the Sshamath Chapter's profitability
1353 DR (2017) - Year of the Arch
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- - Night Masks become secret rulers of Westgate.
- Doust Sulwood retires as lord of Shadowdale and moves to Arabel. He is succeeded by Mourngrym Amcathra.
- The sorcerer Jariel is trapped in the undercity dungeons of Myth Drannor by his fiancé Ozama.
- The cat lords, a race that rarely reveals itself to mortals, descend upon Arabel, claiming to seek the remains of one of their long-dead heroes. Dozens of minor attacks against dishonest merchants are instigated by once-friendly house cats over several days before the cat lords depart.
- Randal Morn slays Malyk, a Zhentarim mage ruling Daggerdale on behalf of Zhentil Keep. Common folk of Daggerdale form a band of warriors under Randal's leadership, and they battle Zhent mercenaries to free their homeland from Zhent occupation.
- Ending climatic years of diplomatic effort, the divided Grand Dukes of the Council of Four of Baldur’s Gate signed a controversial treaty opening diplomatic and trade relations with the Zhentarim based upon certain conditions. In response, and with the encouragement of the goodly powers of the Lords’ Alliance and goodly supporting factions of the Western Heartlands including The Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary, The Elder Circle, EDE, The Order of the Silver Rose, The Church of Ilmater, the Harpers, Darius Holding Company, The Phoenix Company, Kraak Helzak, The Halls of Inner Light, and the Everwatch, High Rider Lord Dhelt of Elturel ordered the Highriders of Elturel to stand vigilant in watch upon newly opened Zhentarim trade routes from Darkhold as well as any further Zhentarim martial meddling against Lords’ Alliance interests, establishing a permanent forward Hellrider operating patrol base at Triel to do so.
- While it did not receive major recognition or notice, and so has only just been noted to have occurred in rumor mills of the city, Lord Harkonis of Darkhold is said to have publicly apologized earlier in the year to the City of Baldur's Gate and the Temple of Ilmater for the murder and violence he committed in Baldur's Gate in the past, including specifically an incident in the Temple of Ilmater in 1351 DR, in compliance with the new treaty between Baldur’s Gate and the Zhentarim. It is also said that a significant sum is rumored to have circulated from the treasury of the Zhentarim to the poor of the city, distributed by Zhentarim merchants, over the six months or so, also in compliance with the treaty.
- A land-river east to west trade route for silk was established by Sembian merchants to Baldur’s Gate via Westgate to the River Chiontar and then by barge after Berdusk to Baldur’s Gate. The first shipment as such is scheduled to arrive early in the next year. The route’s creation was brought about by the Baldur’s Gate based Darius Holding Company initiative to bring a significant silk shipment the opposite west to east direction to Sembia from Selune's Bracelet via the Baldur’s Gate-Berdusk-to Westgate sea-Chiontar river barge-land route. When silk was in warehouse in Baldur’s Gate on the way to Sembia on the aforementioned route, it was seen how eager wealthy Baldurians were for the silk’s consumption that Sembians involved decided to initiate a trade of their own the opposite direction beginning next year that will likely far exceed the initial sale to Sembian merchants organized by Darius Holding Company the other way.
- It is rumored that some shadowy alliances against the Zhentarim in Baldur’s Gate by groups choosing to remain anonymous may have been discussed throughout the year, but it remains to be seen if any pact of the back alley so to speak was brokered. It is also not clear if this was just a rumor made up to discredit the opposition to the Zhentarim in the city.
- The City Watch of Baldur's Gate and the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate are said to now take an even more severe stance on tolerance for Drow in Baldur's Gate with the City Watch and Flaming Fist even offering a bounty for Drow killed after a Drow threatened one of the Grand Dukes in an incident earlier in the year.
- The Baldurian commoner known as Brilla is rumored to have quietly wed Grand Duke Entar in a small private ceremony, after being in a secretive relationship with him for months, and is now officially known as Lady Brilla, despite her commoner heritage. It is said that Brilla is a captivating songstress and a devout of Lathander, her beautiful songs about the glory of The Morning Lord even being heard about outside of Duchal Court.
- Those opposed to the Zhentarim in Baldur’s Gate, some rumored to be Harpers and other goodly factions or individuals, initiated a campaign of passionate regular songs, sermons, speeches, and flyers attempting to expose pre-treaty Zhentarim amorality in the region of the Western Heartlands as well as alleged violations of the Baldur’s Gate-Zhentarim treaty after its signing. The lower urban and rural classes of Baldur’s Gate in kind have begun to mostly view the Zhentarim much more suspiciously and negatively, and perhaps worse if the Zhentarim had not made a significant contribution to the city’s poor during the year. It is said that the more popularly focused Grand Duke Belt has grown concerned about this shift in the lower classes on the Zhentarim and perhaps now regrets his original decision to support the city's treaty with the Zhentarim earlier in the year.
- A public campaign in the city was waged against the reputation of the Red Wizards of Thay in Baldur’s Gate, including a book, extrajudicial trial battle, and sermons against the presence and reputation of the Thayans and their Thayan Enclave in Baldur's Gate. The effect on the reputation of Thayans in the city was to cause most of the lower classes of the city to view the Thayan foreigners with more moral disgust and distrust, though those of higher station seemed more unmoved unless not predisposed to more goodly alignment. It is said that the more popularly focused Grand Duke Belt has grown concerned about this shift in the lower classes on the Thayans and perhaps now regrets his original decision to support the city's treaty with the Thayans years earlier.
- The Darius Holding Company has become a notable new entry into the business climate of Baldur’s Gate in aspects of business unrelated to adventurer and mercenary services, instead concentrating more upon pure regional and intra-city trading. If this newer company will have the staying power to become a permanent major business institution in the city, such as the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange or Merchant League in years prior, remains to be seen.
- The Hellriders of Elturel deployed to camp at Triel on watch over the Zhentarim trading with Baldur’s Gate from Darkhold were well-supplied throughout the year by the efforts of the Darius Holding Company and The Halls of Inner Light above and beyond their regular already robust supply chain with Elturel. As a result, the Hellriders have an adequate supply reserve for even the most catastrophic martial scenarios as well as extremely high operational morale as regular order. It is said that no military or trade route move of the Zhentarim in the region of the Western Heartlands has gone unnoticed by the High Rider of Elturel and the Lords’ Alliance.
- Soubar is said to continue to be a home for outcasts of various monstrous and non-monstrous races, with the Ebon Blades Company maintaining a complicated relationship with the settlement and its de facto and mysterious leader, Mag. During the year, the leader of the Ebon Blades declared a barony in the area of Soubar, but it is said that no significant polity in the region has yet to recognize such a title or the authority that might come with it, except with mocking, yet annoyed, suspicion.
- The Black Orcs of Uruk Lurra and their Chief Grimnail remain in power in the so-named orc settlement near Triel and Soubar and the respite of the civilized adventurers bothering them has seemed to have an effect of Uruk Lurra's orc raids on their periphery decreasing and the Hellriders not even bothering to patrol their settlement’s outskirts.
- Amn -- and especially its capitol, Athkatla -- has in the past year entered an economic boom and a state of unequaled prosperity in its history, pre or post the Amn-Gate War, due to relative stability on Amn's home front, peace with Amn's neighbors outside of Tethyr, unimpaired Amnian trade with many of the trading powers of Faerun, and Amnian civil war profiteering in Tethyr. There are rumors, however, that Amnians at all levels, from some members of the Council of Six, to some of the major merchant houses, to some of the lowliest and "copper" (poor) dressed of Amnians, grow wary and suspicious of Zhentarim designs on Amn and the region in general for perhaps a combination of reasons that are as a whole unclear to outsiders. There is talk of a political or social reaction to the Zhentarim as such, but how severe or mild it may prove to be is uncertain. What is certain, is that given Amn's voracious appetite for silk and spices and other luxury goods, of which the Zhentarim are a major regional supplier, some supply source of such luxury goods may be needed to fill the gap if the Zhentarim fall out of Amnian favor.
- Throughout the year, a few exceptional adventurer magic users in the region created new magical spells with great effort, some of which are now seeing wider use throughout Faerun and may one day gain such magic users great renown.
- In the Cloud Peaks of Amn, it is said that a new group of Auril worshipers grew in influence and infamy with the Ice Maiden and her domain in the snowed-in peaks, but whether their time has faded into the cold winds of the mountains remains to be seen. It is also rumored that the Aurilites even convened a council of evil beings from throughout the region for some nefarious ends, but the council was allegedly short lived, only meeting a few times at most.
- Northern Amn, including both Beregost and Nashkel, has seen its prosperity grow with that of Amn as a whole since removal of the corrupt and sinister Governess Benino from power in Beregost in an rebellion lead by the Church of Lathander in DR 1351. Governor Sheriff de Oca, the Amnian appointed governor of Beregost since DR 1351, and Mayor Ghastkill, the local and Amnian leader of Nashkel, are both popular with their respective local Northern Amn communities. However, in Beregost, the local non-Amnian majority population is still unhappy with Amnian rule. Indeed, it is rumored that while non-Amnians of Beregost favor the honorable Governor de Oca for his moderate rulership of Beregost and his role in removing Governess Benino, they still regularly curse at the mention of the Council of Six that appointed him to replace Benino.
- The coalition of non-governmental goodly factions known as the The Council of Light conducted regular patrols throughout the Western Heartlands and the Greenfields, allowing the Hellriders of Elturel to be less preoccupied with patrols of vigilance against raiders and potential Amnian security concerns to their south and to focus instead intensely upon watch of the Zhentarim to the north. The organizations in such patrols included The Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary, The Elder Circle, The Order of the Silver Rose, The Church of Ilmater, the Harpers, Darius Holding Company, The Phoenix Company, The Halls of Inner Light, The Bladestone Foundation, and the Everwatch. The Council of Light in the process already rid the Greenfields of numerous orc, undead, and other monstrous and humanoid raiders, making the Greenfields settlement of Greenest a slightly less dangerous frontier settlement. The usefulness of such regular patrols to better focus the Hellriders north showed the Lords’ Alliance of their need. Responding to the Zhentarim threat and a proven method of concentrating opposition by the Council of Light, two members of the Lords’ Alliance have reacted. Berdusk has called to arms an additional mounted Gauntlet and joined it with a formation of riders of the Shield of Iriaebor to patrol south of Elturel so that the Hellriders can focus north on the Zhentarim without distraction and utterly vigilant focus.
- The scholars of Candlekeep continue their diligent recording and archiving of many regional events of the Sword Coast, Northern Amn, and the Western Heartlands. The library fortress' ship The Sea Seeker also recently returned from a two year knowledge expedition at sea. The library itself during the year changed some policies to grant greater reasonable access to its famed archives. Candlekeep has also implemented martial policies that have seen greater patrols in the area of The Lion's Way and around and throughout the book containing citadel itself.
- Many wondrous islands were discovered and explored in the Sea of Swords to the west during the year by adventurers and termed Selune's Bracelet. What the fate of the islands and their resources are remains to be determined.
- Capable adventurers banded together to defeat the Cult of Tiamat in the west, after some earlier support provided by the Council of Light, the adventurers traveling in expeditions to the western islands of Selune's Bracelet to annihilate the presence of the church in western Faerun. The church is still rumored to survive in the east and could return to western Faerun in future years without vigilance.
- During the year, numerous adventurers foiled the plans of Polvich the Lich and ended the perpetual war between the two powerful beings Pietr the White and Pol.
- The population of Doron Amar increased significantly during the year as new elves on the way to The Retreat took up residence there. Skilled artisans and craftsfolk elves of The Retreat from Evereska and elsewhere in particular drove increased demand for goods trade in the settlement.
- Adventurers freed slaves after a campaign to thwart the scourge of the the Black Dragon Samara, the liberated gnome slaves thereafter immigrating to Kraak Helzak, the liberated halflings to Gullykin, and the liberated humans and other races to Baldur's Gate.
THE UNDERDARK
- It is rumored that the Zhentarim of Darkhold and the Concalve of Sshamath have opened up a linking tunnel system between Darkhold and Sshamath used only with the approval of both the Zhentarim and the Conclave.
- The Bureaucracy of Sshamath carried out numerous missions for the Conclave, including dispatching the threat of a cult of slimes and a dragon known as The Creeping Doom to the city. It is also said that after a series of conflicts that the House Dev'lin was absorbed into House Sshamath, with possible future repercussions for the politics of the Underdark city. During the conflict, a few members of the Conclave made it known that they oppose Lolthite Houses, in particular, House Sshamath, holding a seat upon the Conclave and in a public display burned spiders. The faith of Lolth's future in Sshamath is on shaky ground.
1352 DR (2016) - Year of the Dragon
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- - Barbarians of The Ride destroy a large Zhentarim caravan en route to Glister.
- Pasha Balik begins his rule in Zazesspur with the hidden aid of the Knights of the Shield.
- Gondegal raises an army of mercenaries and launches many raids within the kingdom. Gondegal is crowned "king" for eight days before The Purple Dragons, and the combined forces of neighboring kingdoms, scatter his forces. Gondegal flees Corymr.
- After the birth of two daughters (who cannot take the throne, save as regents), Wai Gada Sinzu's wife gives birth to twin sons, named Wai Anku and Wai Soreti. Various factions, families, and cults begin taking sides, sending gifts to one son or the other.
- Refugees effected by the war with the undead the previous year from hamlets surrounding Baldur's Gate have either settled in the city or moved back home. With Kheldrivver reclaimed and in a state of rebuilding, many of its former residents returned to it from Baldur's Gate. Refugees from Scornubel previously living in Elturel have finally returned to their city and are still busy with rebuilding it as well. With the refugees gone, Elturel finally turns its focus to restoring its own economy and trade without distraction. Elturel's Hellriders remain in deployment keeping eye on nearby trade routes and the Black Orc tribe of Uruk Lurra to the north near the Trielta Hills.
- The Thayan Enclave of Baldur's Gate more aggressively sold magical goods to the nobility and martial forces of Baldur's Gate and aided the city with magical golems and by other magical means in its reconstruction after the siege of the year before for a profit. It is said that the Enclave's masters in Thay are quite pleased with its performance and refocusing on the Enclave's core operations and purposes.
- The Zhentarim throughout the year made various further offers of aid and good will to the city of Baldur's Gate, building on similar initiatives in the year previous, in an effort to restore their reputation in the eyes of the city's Grand Dukes as well as in the region. Additionally, it is said that the Zhentarim consolidated security efforts around their fortress of Darkhold in the Sunset Mountains, bringing bandits and goblin tribes nearby under heel and setting up a permanent Outrider outpost in the foothills near Corm Orp. In the process, the Zhentarim established a permanent patrol cooperation agreement with Corm Orp for the wilds around the Hin settlement.
- Midway through the year, numerous dragon-related incidents prompt the Duchal Court of Baldur’s Gate to take on a mysterious draconic lore expert named Velsaert as an advisor. Search began both above and below for the mysterious Dragon Shards. After months of research, it is found out that the shards are actually essesnces of Tiamat and are related to her fertility, and that the Cult of Tiamat are also searching for them.
- A famous diamond of enormous size and clarity called the Midnight Sun was put on display at various locations along the Coast. While the diamond was on display at the Friendly Arms Inn, it is stolen. Its Sembian owners attacked the Friendly Arms Inn in an attempt to get it back, but they were eventually beaten and driven off by an army of adventurers.
- Rumors are spreading that the church of Tiamat has emerged from being a mere cult in the west since her resurrection during the Amn-Gate war to being fully integrated with her church in the east. It is said that some ill-reputes recruited from the typical mercenary and adventurer market of Soubar helped to secure a portal opening to the east via Lyran's Hold in the Forest of Wyrms. It is also said that the portal then brought in a multitude of Church of Tiamat reinforcements from the east. It is also rumored that on a reported tip by enemies of Tiamat to the Lords' Alliance that the Hellriders of Elturel expeditiously rode into the Forest of Wyrms and raided Lyran's Hold to thwart the Tiamat devout, but found nothing but a closed portal and signs of many hastily moving humanoid and draconic footprints. The Hellriders are said to have then promptly destroyed the portal as those who would go to Lyran's Hold now will see the former portal there is broken and likely beyond repair. If the tip to the Hellriders had not gone through, however, it is likely that many more servants of the Nemesis from the east would have stepped through to reinforce the newly formed Church of Tiamat in the west.
- It is also rumored that the Flaming Fist discovered the location of another portal, far to the east, which was also being used by the church of Tiamat. The portal lead to an unnamed island in the Sea of Swords. The Dukes hired a band of adventurers to travel to the island via Captain Deudermont's Sea Sprite, in order to aid the Flaming Fist and Lords' Alliance naval forces in thwarting the cult of Tiamat's presence on the island and destroying the portal. In this case, the forces against Tiamat were victorious and the portal and all who entered from it were seemingly destroyed and smote upon the battlefield of the island. It is also said that perhaps these portal measures of the Church are out of desperation and failure rather than success, as they only seemed to come into fruition after those of Tiamat failed to obtain enough shards related to Tiamat for whatever ends they had aimed for in doing so.
THE UNDERDARK
- A slime worshiping cult cut off many of the tunnels around Sshamath until adventurers loyal to Sshamath and its Bureaucracy aided the city in exterminating the cult. As it turns out, an ancient draconian entity known as Creeping Doom was in fact aiding and using the slime cultists for mysterious aims that may have included a distraction to aid in lifting of items controlled by powerful members of the Conclave that Creeping Doom desired. Creeping Doom's plans were seemingly thwarted, but it remains to be seen if they have been ended for good.
1351 DR (2015) - Year of the Crown
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- - Using powerful wizardry and several swords of dragonblood, the adventuring band known as the Merry Marauders nearly manage to slay the green dragon Dretchroyaster.
- The green dragon Aglaraerose devours the Lost Caravan of Taeremel near Hardcastle in the Shaar.
- The Red Wizards gain a concession to build a Thayan enclave in Telflamm. Serving as a distribution center for Thayan products for most of northern Faerûn, it soon grows into the largest of their enclaves.
- Vangerdahast pens An Archmage's Life at Court. He sends a copy to Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, which exists in the library of Blackstaff Tower.
- The shogunate of Wa demands that its daimyos increase moral standards in the provinces. They forbid luxury goods to lower classes, ban waitresses from teahouses, and execute known and rumored adulterers.
- Fifty worshipers of Marthammor Duin establish a temple to their god in the crypt of Maegar beneath Berun's Hill.
- Adventurers from Sundabar loot the Nameless Dungeon, taking several lost elven items. Angry at the news, local elves cause emissaries from Evermeet to place guards in the dungeon. Alustriel also sends her own troops to bolster these guardians.
- Larloch's lair of Warlock's Crypt is discovered by explorers. Only a few survive, and they carry a plague back to the city of Baldur's Gate.
- Rule ends for the corrupt Amnian governess Isabella Beninio of Beregost, along with the tax increases, violence, oppression, and criminality that she championed. The governess' ties with the Shadow Thieves of Amn are revealed by Lathanderite Paladin Eldarian Al'maire, under who's steady patronage a movement formed which eventually succeeded in ousting the Governess and exposing her crimes. Afterward, friends and allies of the Lathanderite temple gathered at the Lathanderite Song of the Morning temple in Beregost for a ritual ceremony that gave thanks for a new-beginning. The future of Beregost stands uncertain, with Amn's governess outed and the town's benefits and costs to Amn unclear and the Temple of Lathander gradually re-asserting itself as a political power in the town. Sheriff de Oca is now the highest ranking Amnian authority in Beregost, and is in charge of Amn's weakened Beregost military garrison. Taken as a whole, brighter times may finally be on the horizon for crisis stricken Beregost as the town for the moment sees something resembling normalcy, amidst a clouded future.
- Baldur's Gate suffered from a terrible plague rumored to originated from the newly discovered Warlock's Crypt. It is said that a gnome adventurer with the surname of Dippledop was the proximate cause.
- On a path from the Reaching Woods, south over the Chiontar, through the Woods of Sharpteeth, then north over the Chiontar, then through the Fields of the Dead, then to Baldur's Gate itself, the huge undead army of the Blight and Magmire attacked the port city of Balduran in an intensive and epic siege, fighting the Flaming Fist and the city's War Council, adventurer, and Lords' Alliance allies. With a combined martial and logistical effort of Baldur's Gate and its coalition, the undead forces and the Blight were finally defeated in the East Gate District in a concentrated sortie against the Blight that included many of the city's most famed heroes, artillery, and brave adventurers and clerics. The city post-siege faced a major and expensive climb to recovery, with lingering damage and civil effects upon it likely for some time, but none that perhaps sustained and major initiatives might not overcome at least in part.
- About to threaten the city of Baldur's Gate with siege, a massive undead army under a lich General of Warlock's Crypt was turned back at the Trollclaw Fords, after Kheldrivver to the north was lost tendays earlier to the undead, by a combined effort of the War Council and the Lords' Alliance and other living allies and a truce reached whereby the General returned his undead forces to the Crypt in return for the living not bothering it.
- The recent rousing of the undead to the north left the village of Kheldrivver evacuated and then sacked by undead forces, with the refugees taken in by Baldur's Gate. The mayor of Kheldrivver is still within the city, though rumors are spreading that he may soon be returning with his people to the village now that the undead threat of the General has seemingly ended.
- After being nearly arrested for sedition and treason against the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate and her lands and estate seized in a Flaming Fist raid aided by adventurers, the previously well-respected and ancient family rooted Baldurian noble, Lady Katherine Vernosa, escaped capture and was rumored to have hidden out in as varied locations as the cliffs over Ulgoth's Beard, the High Moors, and the Greypeaks. Over many months, as Baldur's Gate's most wanted, Lady Vernosa concocted a complicated conspiracy to terrorize, assassinate, infiltrate, and replace the civil and military administration of Baldur's Gate. She nearly would have succeeded had it not been for various loyalist Baldurian adventurers associated with the Order of the Radiant Heart, Doron Amar, the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange, the crew of the ship the Whistling Wandress, the Phoenix Company, and other unaffiliated or unnamed groups. With the aid of these adventurers, Lady Vernosa was killed and her climatic multi-pronged plan thwarted to secretly replace the leadership of Baldur's Gate with nefarious plant being copies under her control and to obliterate the leadership of the Flaming Fist with an on-shore and off-shore brazen assassination attempt using snipers, explosive fishing baits, and an explosive ship.
- The Reaching Woods were devastated by an undead occupation under the Talonite undead armies of Magmire and the lich known as the Blight. The undead later left the forest, but the lingering effects remain to be seen.
- The Talonite undead army of Magmire and the Blight left a polluted Sharpteeth Forest behind it after after a large battle against forces of the War Council and other living allies at the old Flaming Fist outpost in the Woods of the Sharpteeth. It is yet to be seen if animals, orcs and werewolves driven to the south by it return to their home territories in the forest.
- A powerful vampire, Velika, had come to the Coast and on several occasions attempted to trick unwary adventurers and travelers into joining her family. She made random appearances throughout the Coast often followed by a mysterious storm while she performs hidden rituals to raise the nearby dead into her army. Eventually, the vampire was cured of her vampirism, and in the power struggle that followed, and her right hand, Mavlon, turned on her and took charge of her forces.
- A particularly dangerous and violent lich, rumored to be of Netherese descent and involved also in certain Talassian circles, has made itself known on the Coast again. He is known for his powerful illusions and deadly storms, tearing rifts to other planes. Of course such telltale signs make tracking him easier. Other rumors of sightings indicate another being, a spirit of some sort, fighting him when he appears. Whether these sightings are the last remains to be known.
- A rather large infestation of slimes and other such things have been identified in one of the important trade tunnels leaving the city of Sshamath in the Underdark, effectively sealing it off.
- The School of Illusion in Sshamatah had sent out several missives to various organizations to investigate the growing number of slimes and oozes forming throughout the caverns outside the fair city of Sshamath. Later, The School of Illusion's agents had gone missing, as had many patrols from Sshamath. A Ghaunadaur cultist cell was eradicated, but an illithid surfaced and took over the cult's actions. Few have seen him, and fewer have lived to tell of the encounter.
1350 DR (2014) - Year of the Morningstar
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- - A drought strikes the forest of Cormanthor, causing the failure of rye grass and the starvation of red deer.
- The Cult of Set secretly seizes domination of Sampranasz in Mulhorand. The Fangs of Set organization is put together by Seti.
- Elminster Aumar goes into retirement in Shadowdale.
- Bane attempts to drag Phlan and other cities of the Moonsea into the lower planes. The Heroes of Phlan disrupt the scheme and the cities return to their rightful places.
- Bane steals the Warhammer of Tyr.
- The book Runes On A Rock by Elminster of Shadowdale, is published.
- The book Posthumous Musings of a Zhentarim Mageling by Destrar Gulhallow is published.
- As spring begins to melt the winter snow Helmite pilgrims from all over the Realms are beginning to visit the site where the avatar of Helm was rumored to have appeared in Nashkel.
- A mercenary company known as the Silver Shield is founded seeking work among the southern Sword Coast and Northern Amn.
- The infamous pirate Kalma Hellstorm was known to be in great wroth as a result of the last years raid on Roaringshore. For several weeks afterwards he prowled northern Amn, swearing and exacting vengeance on Baldur's Gate and its allies who conducted the raid. After a brief reign of terror, the pirate was subdued by the Radiant Heart and brought to the Flaming Fist at Baldur's Gate for justice.
- The year started off with a large number of uncharacteristic drow raids in the northern territories, culminating with a murderous assaults upon the fishing village of Ulgoth's Beard, and the town of Hills Edge which killed many and destroyed considerable property. Several Adventurers and authorities were mustered to combat the drow menace, and persecution of the vile denizens of the Underdark commenced with a renewed fervor. Rumors as to the sudden attacks ranged from theories of migrating newcomers to this corner of the underdark raiding the surface for slaves to Zhentarim plotting stirring the hornets nest deep beneath the Northern Sword Coast.
- A party of surfacers travels to the Underdark city of S'shamath to attempt to negotiate the release of a prisoner with the exchange of stolen artifacts but are too late to stop numerous raids being levied against the surface. Later several drow appear on the surface in the company of the Paladin Ronin. They bring several sickly slaves as a token of ‘friendship.’ Several adventurers and the faithful of Ilmater nurse the former slaves to health, and the paladin is held to Trial for endangering Baldur’s Gate and sympathizing with drow. During sentencing, the Paladins’ drow lover Nessa appears and chastises the Duke’s for their foolishness. The drow is executed and the paladin branded an exile, to serve as an example of the extents of drow corruption and the perils which befall any drow sympathizers.
- In the Far Hills, near the Sunset Mountains of the Western Heartlands Darkhold, or Castle Darkhold - and its Zhentarim occupants - publicly proclaim to serve and protect the Far Hills, harbor trade caravans in need of re-supply, and facilitate diplomatic relations between the Inner Sea and the Sword Coast. Several Radiant Heart are captured in the lawless northern territories and accused of seditious acts against the Zhentarim. They are executed at Darkhold, under accusations of sedition and espionage on behalf of the Harpers. The following weeks see a tirade of accusations slung across the sword coast accusing and denouncing several prominent adventurers as Zhentarim or Harper agents.
- In a scandalous controversy, a prelate, Elphias Valkerion, of the Radiant Heart is discovered by his squire to be non other than the a Dreadlord of the Zhentarim in disguise. The order reals from the reality of how they allowed their enemy so deep into their own house. Following the Prelates expulsion, and with much soul searching, the order seeks to rebuild with greater fervor. Shortly after, missives sent by the Radiant Heart calling upon the Lords Alliance for a unified campaign against the Zhentarim in Darkhold lead to anti-Zhentarim demonstrations in the towns of Elturel and Scornubel. While sentiments in support of such actions grow among the border towns feeling the shadow of Darkhold cast upon them, sentiment among the larger powers - further west and largely untouched by recent conflicts - call for temperance, patience, and unity. Meanwhile, Zhentarim machinations and patronage towards the town of Corm Orp seem to quietly muffle any hints of dissent or resistance to Zhentarim encroachments. Darkhold benefits greatly from the bounty of the halflings' fields as the cold winter descends upon the Sunset Mountains. The end of the year saw a high level, very public, and heavily questioned defection in the former Zhentarim Mage Telia Navra to the Lords Alliance via Baldur's Gate.
- Mysterious fires and the appearance of fire salamanders, efreeti, and fire elementals befalls a remote section of the sunset mountains in late Fall. Caravans traveling too close to the region report a great black dragon sighted in the nearby skies. Rangers and druids of the elder circle spend weeks scouting the area. Rumors around tavern circles spin tales of adventurers aiding them having traveled to the elemental plane of fire, and even the fabled efreeti City of Brass in efforts to quell the flames. While fires continue to erupt among the area, they appear to at least have been contained within it.
- Restoration efforts are conducted throughout the year to cleanse and restore the desolate town of Triel. Druids, Chanteans, Ilmatari, Greyfox tribesmen, and other interested parties labor to cleanse the undead presence and heal the blighted lands. While undead continue to appear and evidence of the blight remains, there are optimistic hopes that further efforts may leave the land tenable for resettlement in the future.
- The Greyfox tribe faced off against the forces of a Wild Hunt with aide of remnants of other Tribes of the High Moor. In the summer of 1350, the Greyfox moved north near Secomber to lead the re-unification of the various tribal remnants who survived the Dark Horde.
- At Candlekeep, a sailing expedition initiated in 1349 DR resumed sailing west from their Mazticia base camp. The exploration proceeded westward eventually reaching Kara-Tur around Uktar.
- Gullykin continues as an active hub for adventurers looking for profitable employment scouting and looting in the nearby crypts and Durlag's Tower, the Gullykin mayor helping to organize and finance multiple expeditions of adventurers into these dangerous areas, with some such adventures ending pleasantly and others tragically or contentiously.
- Helmites from Amn and Baldur's Gate come to the aid of the village of Farhill as it is extorted and besieged by a group of ogres lead by an ogre magi. The ogre leader's forces are defeated after the Battle of Farhill, while he himself was slain in his lair along with his devilish allies. In the course of their campaign, the Helmites also smashed a bandit cartel and brought the leader to justice in Baldur's Gate.
- In the spring, a small but widespread series of crop blights and mysterious deaths were observed across the Sword Coast. These were linked by some to moving, hungry shadows. The cause of these occurrences remains poorly understood.
- Beregost's ever-increasing lawlessness forces the local Amnian governess, Isabella Beninio, to enact martial law and put the law-enforcement into the hands of the local Amnian military commander, Antonio de Coibra. With the use of rather unorthodox (and rough) methods, as well as the help of the temple of Lathander and other adventurers, the town's order is slowly restored, and the illegal activities crushed one by one.
- The capture and execution of the (in)famous Red Sorceress, leader of the notorious organization of assassins called The Dead Crows, is reputed to have dealt the final blow to Beregost's criminal underworld. By now, Beregost is slowly returning to its pre-war tranquil, law-abiding state. The region is long lulled into a sense of confidence, until the order reemerges under new leadership with a sudden brazen attack on the local Amnian Guard.
- Construction of a Watchtower in the Cloudpeaks in northern Amn begins at the behest of an adventuress who had recently married into Amnian nobility. This generates a backlash from the Duke’s of Baldur’s Gate amid accusations that Amn was seeking a greater military foothold along the border. Tensions flared, and some among the nobility feared renewed hostilities between Baldur’s Gate and Amn. The Everwatch Knights returned from Athkalta with authority from the coin lords to assist local officials in diplomacy with Baldur’s Gate to quell the matter. In coordination with several local factions and the local authorities, the following months see numerous initiatives for the restoration of Commerce and Stability in Northern Amn. While the region enjoys a resurgence not known since long before the Amn-Gate war, the early workings of the Watchtower lay abandoned.
- A committee is formed in Baldur’s Gate by several interested parties in restoring prominence to the sword coast and northern Amn. At one of their early meetings and faux paus at the Duchal Court with the Dwarves of Kraak Helzaak leads to a rise of tensions between the Duke’s of Baldur’s Gate and the Dwarves of Kraak Helzaak. The Duke’s demand an apology, as the dwarves accuse them of manufacturing excuses to ignore past debts.
- The Dwarves of Kraak Helzaak meanwhile, focus on developing the mines around their recently founded stronghold. Their digging seems to have breached into a section of the upperdark, where their miners encounter dangers common to such regions. Parties of Warriors are mustered to venture into the tunnels and push back any threats to the miners as the dwarves seek to secure their claims
- Rumours spread that an ancient city occupied by werewolves known as the City of Vehlarr appeared somewhere in the Wood of Sharp Teeth under a full moon. It is said that a recently active cult of Malarites may be tied to its appearance.
- Talespinners in salty taverns in fishing villages up and down the Sword Coast had frightened patrons with tales of sightings of a Ghost Ship off the coast on foggy nights, but these rumors cease when a party of adventures lead by a renowned gnome treasure hunter supposedly end the curse of the ghost ship. An ancient sword is recovered in the process of purging the vessel of its undead curse and is placed in the protection of the church of Helm."
- Late in the year, conflicts begin brewing in the north among followers of several of the Deities of Fury including the Malarites, Umberleeans, Aurilites and Talassians. Rumors begin to spread among the adventuring communities that these cults appear to be seeking ancient artifacts of from the Netherese era among the High Moor. Such rumors draw in several prominent and opposing factions of the realm, and the regions criminal underworld, into a game of intrigue as the hunt begins to track down these artifacts and learn their purpose, or at least why they have sparked such turmoil among the followers of the Deities of Fury. As the game unfolds, several artifacts change hands among the players. An ancient Jergalite tome from the Netherese era, when the faith was at its height, towering above others. Sventar, a sentient blade filled with ancient secrets, slow to reveal them in search of a worthy wielder. A powerful ring with a gem so grant it is said to enthrall any who gaze upon it, found among the Illithid, whose power must have been augmented greatly with such a trinket. An ancient dagger, the tooth of Jergal, revered among the faithful and rumored to be respected and feared by all the gods. Great storms ravage the Northern Sword Coast as The cult of Rust and the Worm, faithful of Talos, begin to find victories and grow in prominence among this great game. It is rumored that they obtained all the artifacts, and sought to conduct an ancient ritual gathering them together at an ancient Netherese place of power. Several adventurers are rumored to have tracked them to final apex. Only they would know what transpired therein.
THE UNDERDARK
- Political intrigue was rife in the city of Dark Weavings. A new house, Qu'ellar Dev'lin establishes their presence and ambitions among the population of S'shamath.
- There was new Eye of the 7th Circle for a period, in one masked female wizard who replace Valshar the Phantom Wizard. Following the Shadowmistress's disappearance a few months later, Valshar had once again taken up the position.
- With an uncharacteristic show of charity, the Conclave saw fit to pardon the Eilistraeeans deemed guilty of opening a portal into the abyss, over the altar of lolth the year before. Placed under a measure of protection by the conclave and granted citizenship again, this act seems to be more a political power play than anything else.
- Later in the year, a festival dedicated to the worship of Lolth, arranged by Bel'iira Sshamath went horribly wrong, as several of the sacrifices, including an old traitor of Sshamath, turned into Illithids, before all to see. Wild rumors speculate on what followed the scandal.
1349 DR (2013) - Year of the Bridle
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- - The Harpers succeed in breaking the Rundeen trade monopoly in Chult and disrupting their activities in Calimshan after slaying three Rundeen leaders and nearly fifty lesser agents.
- The Puissant Department of Joyful Rediscovery in Shou Lung charges the Ko family with the task of turning Akari Island into a maritime colony and forward base for his Magnificent and Just Majesty’s Fleet.
- The civil war in Tethyr continues, creating a power vacuum in the nation filled by various aspiring nobles and warlords. The warlords fight each other and assert what control they can over the territory hold. The common folk suffer.
- The Black Orc conflict takes place. A migrating band of exceptionally strong and healthy mountain Orcs begins moving towards the Sharpteeth Woods. Zhentarim involvement is suspected once the Orc horde nears the Elven settlement of Doron Amar.
- The third Siege of Doron Amar occurs. The Black Orc horde is finally driven off, toward the North. Later that year Triel is occupied by the savage Black Orcs.
- The "Battle of the three Pennants" takes place in occupied Triel. A Zhentarim-mercenary force laid siege to the town occupied by the Black Orc horde. An allied and partly Elven force from the South arrives, causing a three way conflict as each of the involved parties seeks to create an advantage. The Zhentarim-mercenary force resists an all-out attack by the new arrivals and succesfully conquers Triel. The Black Orc menace is left scattered and in tatters throughout the North. Although technically no pennants were used save by the mercenary forces, bards and chroniclers telling of the battle gloss over this detail. Most historians and commoners now believe each side in the battle to have fought under their own pennant. In truth the three pennants refer to the three Zhentarim employed mercenary companies, each desperately defending their own pennant from an attack on two sides.
- A sizeable Black Orc population remains scattered throughout the North.
- Later in the year, strange magical and seemingly incurable plague affects the northern towns of Soubar and Triel. Hundreds of people die to the plague; attempts at curing it are ultimately futile as a small orcish band lead by a plaguebearer of the orcish god Yurtrus attacks Triel and Soubar. Whilst Soubar barely survives thanks to the actions of the Order of the Silver Rose, some scholars of Candlekeep, and emissaries of the Greyfox Tribe, Triel is almost completely leveled by a surprise attack, most of its population slaughtered by plague zombies, earthquakes and fire storms. Triel is literally erased from the maps as a town inhabited by the livings, its ruined and smoldering buildings now host to the restless dead.
- Amid the tribulations in the north, Zhentarim forces cement their hold on the recently reclaimed Darkhold. Military forces entrench and many fear ambitious plots brewing in the mountain Keep's towers.
- In Baldur's Gate several prominent courtiers of the realm have suggested founding and sponsoring an organization of Rangers for the northern frontier. These rangers would report on future menaces from the North and secure the tradeways. The strong Zhentarim presence in Darkhold apparantly dissuades the Dukes from supporting such an initiative.
- Both Amn and Baldur's Gate gradually reduce their military presence along their shared border. The Council of Six in Amn is directing the Legion's attention towards containing the spread of the Tethyrian Civil War to Amnish territory. The Golden Legion begins to shift its focus towards Southern Amn and oceanic exploration. The Dukes of Baldurs Gate begin concentrating the Flaming Fist to the North East of the City, checking Zhentarim influence over the tradeways.
- The Amnish protectorate of Beregost becomes increasingly lawless. Reduced trade and lingering damage to commerce from the Amn-Gate war send the town into a steep recession. Many Amnish immigrants begin to leave, seeking better commercial oppertunities elsewhere now that the Golden Legion is shfiting its focus.
- Nashkel becomes an inhospitable town. Strangers are turned away or greeted with predictions of doom. Rumours of acts of vile madness spread. The Church of Helm in Athkathla dispatches a duo of Witch Slayers to investigate, they mysteriously dissapear and are not seen again. Amn takes no further action, considering the northern border a low priority in view of the carnage the Tethyrian Civil War causes to the South.
- Months of ever more mysterious, chaotic, and unexplained events raise tensions among the populous of Nashkel. A large number of citizens fall prey to what can only be described as madness. Adventurers speak of various encounters with demonic elements. Witnesses recount demonic sightings and and unholy events in whispers. The people, in fear and desperation even turn their suspicions upon their Helmite protectors. Eventually tensions culminate in what became known as the Nashkel Riots.
- Problems in Nashkel seem to cease almost suddenly. Several elves are rumored to have been conducting events in secret related to the town prior to its turn of fortunes. Faithful speak of climactic events, so going so far as to claim the appearance of the Avatar of Helm, come to protect the town from some great evil. Adventurers with alliances to the elves of Doron Amar are occasionally heard reminiscing upon the time, speaking of some beings called "Obyriths" in hushed tones.
- Farmers in the southern farmlands of Baldur's Gate complain of dark rituals in the night startling the livestock. Late night travelers tell of shadowy apparitions, and even attacks at night. City magistrates surmise the cause of these reports is troublesome local youths. Investigations lead to concerns among the nobles of a cult of Shar having taken root in and around Baldur's Gate.
- Several grizzly murders have taken place around the docks and even the palace district. Some have been mid-profile merchants, most having recently acquired their fortunes. The Flaming Fist hang a 'Zhentarim spy' and pin the murders on him... though a few have occurred since his death... Whispers of a serial killer are occasionally heard among noble circles.
- The honorable Knights of the Silver Rose succesfully escort a Waterdhavian dignitary to Baldur's Gate, despite repeated attempts on her life carried out by, people murmurs, sharran agents. Said dignitary, a Countess owning a large mercantile company, succesfully establishes a branch of her company inside the city, improving the precarious trade of the Duchy.
- Well-connected individuals and adventurers whisper of Sharran cultists trying to infiltrate the Duchy. Actual evidence corroborating these whispers is extremely lacking, though.
- Tarl Desenaea, Sharl Desenaea and Ren o' the Blade -The heroes of Phlan- are rumored to have been seen making their way up The Sword Coast. Tarl Desenaea, Sharl Desenaea and Ren o' the Blade. They were rumored to have spent some time among the Radiant Heart before continuing by sea to Waterdeep.
- A contemplative lich - Herbert North - rouses the ire of several religious factions with his public experiments and musings on necromancy.
- A small armada of war galleons was seen suddenly being loaded up with Flaming Fist mercenaries and leaving port in the late evening. They sailed north towards the well known pirate alcove of Roaringshore. Several of the swifter and better prepared captains were able to hoist their sails and leave port with ships designed to outrun such large and cumbersome war galleons. The slower and more rum addled soon found themselves pinned by the blockade. The late year purge of the pirate town generates a substantial moral boost for Baldur's Gate.
UNDERDARK
- Shurr Silverblade and the Baleful Maw become an outlaw organization in S'shamath after Shur kills a Conclave Emmisary. Rumoured to have been dominated by a corrupted Moon Blade, Shurr is exiled by the Conclave. His life spared only for his service to the City during the Illithilich conflict. The Maw's assets are stripped, used to reimburse the house of the deceased and otherwise flowing into the City's treasury.
- In S'shamath restoration efforts continue in the wake of the Illithilich conflict. The 7th Circle has propposed and sponsored a system of Ward Spires (Vharr Latyema) to be placed throughout the City's domains. Several prototypes have been constructed for the Conclave. Several mysterious attacks occur within S'shamath, directed against Conclave seat holder Ilphryssin Arkentlar, the 7th Circle's Chapter Master. The Charnag Maelhra begins an extensive man-hunt for treacherous elements within the City. All attacks occur during citizenry councils on the merits of the Vharr Latyema undertaking.
- The joint S'shamathian schools of Necromancy, Evocation, Divination, Conjuration and Enchantment pledge their support and expertise to the Vharr Latyema undertaking. Prototype spires become more advanced and are finally brought into mass production. An economic boom occurs among the City's arteficers as orders for the undertaking are placed.
- The Temple of Lolth is raided by unknown forces. The acting priestesses at the time go into self-imposed exile to minimize the Temple's loss of face in S'shamath's politics. Expansion of the Temple's influence in S'shamath comes to an abrupt halt while the hunt for the perpetrators is on. The Schools of Magic use their majority in the Conclave to officially and publically offer the Temple a security arrangement, seeking to draw further attention to its insecurity and perceived weakness.
- Taking advantage of a mysteryous aggression carried against it, the Temple of Lolth of Sshamath re-establishes itself as a major power inside the City of Sshamath, thanks to the quick intervention of one of its yathrins in closing a gate leading to the abyss opened inside the city by three careless followers of the Dark Maiden. Ulathallar Bel'iira capitalizes on this advantage to restore a great deal of the power and prestige of her church, whilst making the church of Eilistraee look incompetent and hypocritical.
- House S'shamath begins efforts to construct a majestic dwelling in a newly dug cavern not far from the City. Staunch opponents of the house rally amongst cries of cowardice, accusing the house of fleeing the City. Some outspoken critics are later found dead under mysterious circumstances.
- Bregan D'aerthe activity in S'shamath picks up as the mercenaries begin active recruitment. The organization begins to take on a more prominent role in the City. Competing S'shamathian mercenary companies are keen to point out the Bregan did not take an active role in defending the City during the illithilich conflict. Public opinion is divided as the Bregan counter argue based on the quality of their services, and their mission success rate.
1348 DR (2012) - Year of the Spur
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- - The armies of the Witch-King Zhengyi invade Damara, massacring all they encounter and triggering a conflict that will last almost a decade.
- Doust Sulwood is selected to be lord of Shadowdale.
- In Cormyr, Azoun IV charters the Swords of Eveningstar. By the end of the year, Queen Filfaeril Obarskyr knights them and they are renamed the Knights of Myth Drannor. Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun gives the Pendent of Ashaba to them.
- Erevis Cale is recruited into the Night Masks of Westgate.
- A rieldoxia word crystal attributed to Exarch Thelasand IV of Jhaamdath is recovered from an excavation outside the village of Urml. Within are recorded images from the very beginning of the Procession of Justice.
- In Cormyr, the Arcrown or "Iron War Crown" is rumored stolen.
-The ballad "Another Night in Arabel" by Thumbard Voakriss, Minstrel Mighty, is published in broadsheet.
- Baldur's Gate suffers economically after the conclusion of the Amn-Gate war. This is compounded by a terrible drought. The Duke's freeze grain prices and ramp up taxation. The people suffer and many are relegated to taking up residence in the city's sewers while the Duke's focus on merchant matters and the restoration of trade.
- Banditry is rampant upon the land, bolstered by deserters from the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company.
- The North East Trade road through Triel was blocked by bandit activity. A Flaming Fist battalion sent to open the route vanished. The trade way was liberated through efforts by the Radiant Heart, Order of the Silver Rose, and the Red Wizards of Thay - the latter of whom was rewarded by the Duke's for recovering the missing Fist Battalion, while simultaneously chastised for their methods. The grain-lord of Triel had gone missing in the debacle, forcing the Duke's to leave a small contingent of Fists as an occupying force and appointing a promising young subject to tend to trade and the rationing of grain for the winter. She hates her job, and Fist officers dread being posted in the backwater town.
- Several wealthy and noble Refugees from Tethyr have taken up residence in Baldur's Gate while a civil war plays out in their home. Trade interests accompanying these refugee's helps Baldur's Gate greatly as its economy struggles after the War with Amn. There are many rumors that a vampire had taken up hiding among them. A Former Flaming Fist and member of Norton's Bastards becomes an outlaw in Baldur's Gate, accused of murdering a prominent Tethyran noble.
- Rumors abound that one of Duke Entar Silvershield's confidants in Court has dealings with Devils. The rumors become a scandal when this Courtier is slain by a rogue mage and Candlekeep Avowed named Kestral Fyle and the 'gang' in his employ
- The end of the Amn - Gate war. The war concluded with the signing of treaty where Beregost became a protectorate of Amn and Amn would pay for the city's reconstruction.
- An allied force aided the Elves in Thwarting the Black Orc invasion and the attack upon Doron Amar.
- Nashkel Trade Emporium was taken over by businessman, Radiant Heart chaplain, and Priest of Ilmater James White
- The Highharvestide Festival took place, ending the drought plaguing Baldur's Gate and nearby environs
- The dwarves of Kraak Helzak retreated to the Troll Claw Hills in search of a new home.
- A group of Elves exile from Doron Amar, they call themselves En Dharasha Everae. They travel north to find a home among the wood and wild elves of the Misty Forest
UNDERDARK
The Zhentarim struggle with the loss of Darkhold.
An Illithilich and its cohorts plague Sshamath
Lolth's avatar descends during the fight to save the city, destroying the artifact weapon the alhoon wrought to destroy sshamath with, causing thousands to convert to the goddess despite the conclave's control on religion.
The Conclave is shuffled and in disarray, members of both the clergy and the Seventh Circle now hold prominent positions within the conclave.
Darkhold is retaken by the zhentarim with sshamathian drow allied forces, This soldifies an evil-axis in the Northeastern part of the Western heartlands..
1347 DR (2011)- Year of the Bright Blade
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- - Hulburg is obliterated by an onslaught of Zhentish forces combined with a horde of orcs. Only a few people remain in the area, mostly in the outlying lands.
- Drizzt Do'Urden arrives in Icewind Dale for the first time.
- The Ten Black Days of Eleint: King Alemander IV and the rest of the Tethyrian royal family die during the conflagration that destroys Castle Tethyr. Crown Prince Alemander (the late Prince Rythan's younger brother and second son of King Alemander IV) and General Sharboneth die in the fires of their own making. From the 13th to the 22nd day of Eleint, hysteria grips Tethyr, causing the destruction of Tethyr's nobles and many castles and temples. Hundreds of innocent people who have any ties to the royalty are also murdered. This marks the beginning of the Tethyrian civil war.
- Zhengyi the Witch-King (a lich and former Thayan Red Wizard) rises to power by raising Castle Perilous with the help of demons in Vassa near Damara.
- The Arcane Academy's tower in Doron Amar is completed.
- Relations between Baldur's Gate and Amn take a turn for the worse.
- The Weave Masters rename themselves 'Istari Tower'.
- The ancient red dragon Klauth, also known as 'Old Snarl', takes an interest in the Baldur's Gate region. Paranoia ensues as rumors spread rampantly about the dragon's motives. After a few tenday his attention turns elsewhere, but not before getting a few things he wanted.
- The Temple of Bane in the Wood of Sharp Teeth is assaulted by mixed forces of allies in the area. Although the structure is ruined, leading members of the church managed to escape relatively unscathed.
- Istari Tower is shut down by the Dukes due to a long history of irresponsibility and endangerment to the city.
- The nagas of the Serpent Hills well to the north of Baldur's Gate rampage throughout the northern regions, raiding supplies in order to construct their new home.
- The Sea of Swords is rocked by major storms that are rumored to tied in some way to notorious outlaw Kalma Hellstorm. A few weeks later, the seas are suddenly calmed and the ocean returns to normal.
- The Elves of Doron Amar find themselves the victims of a Demonologist, one who uses them to fuel his pocket portal. Several skirmishes have occured, but the Demonologist still lives and is much at large.
- A new mercenary company makes itself available to the public. The Adventurer's Guild, led by the extraordinary mercenary, Mathias Kreesor, opens its doors to others interested in making gold.
- Following Thayan aid in several local matters and a good dose of diplomacy by Samas Kul the Red Wizards are once more tolerated by the Dukes of Baldur's Gate. An Enclave will be permitted and built in the city.
- Tensions between Baldur's Gate and Amn soar to new heights: a Fist galleon is sunk by an Amnian ship; the Amnian emissary to Baldur's Gate is sent back to Amn, though attacked on the way; the Baldur's Gate emissary to Amn is then sent back north to the Gate, though he doesn't make it as the caravans he was travelling in suddenly explode on the bridge spanning the Chiontar River, destroying a great deal of the bridge. With the most recent attack, Duke Eltan orders his troops to start preparing for war.
- The Zhentarim fortress, Darkhold, falls. The forces to which captured the fortress are unknown to the commoner, though whoever they are, it's certain they are powerful and strong.
- The stronghold of the Ironfaar dwarves falls, as many of the dwarven kind are left severely wounded and crippled. In order to return to stable feet, the dwarves gather and unite under a single banner, known as Kraak Helzak, "Fortress of the Holy Anvil". They set out to build their new home.
- With Baldur's Gate and Amn now at war, armies from both sides move into position as the Flaming Fist occupy Beregost and set-up defensive barricades while the Amnians move their army north over the Cloud Peaks into Nashkel.
-The Cult of Tiamat, with the aid of the Cult of the Dragon, manage to locate the fifth essence in the Hall of Wonders. Killing the priests and guardians, they bring together all five of Tiamat's essences and conduct the ritual of rebirth. All within a half-mile radius are deafened and momentarily blinded by the brilliance of the rebirth, but when their eyes clear the silhouette of a five-headed dragon can be seen above the city of Baldur's Gate. The figure flies off to the East, scattering both chromatic and metallic dragons in all directions.
1346 DR (2010) - Year of the Bloodbird
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- - Rumors of 80,000 dark elves living in the Forest of Mir lead some to panic in Calimport, with many entering the Muzad beneath the city with thoughts of exterminating all they find below. Others more pragmatically arrange slave-trade agreements with known drow agents, lining their pockets with Underdark coin. Most sensibly laugh at the unfounded rumor and at the panic it causes Tethyr and many Calimshan holdings.
- The Sword Heralds' refuge in Cormyr, Dawninghaunt, is discovered by adventurers. Within lies a chest holding more than a thousand large and splendid emeralds as well as four big, extensive spellbooks and several items of minor magic.
- Of seven students chosen by the High Mages of Selu'Maraar, three are marked for great destinies. The youths Keryth Adofaer, Talor Vurtalis, and Jhanra Merlistar excel at the basics of High Magic. They privately learn more about High Magic in an unorthodox manner - Taranath unveils three selu'kiira and places them upon their brows, sending the students into comas while the gems force-feed the knowledge of millennia into their brains. All High Mages and students remain behind closed doors in their estate on the outskirts of Sylkiir.
- Bhaal's avatar, the Ravager, is banished from the Moonshae Islands.
- Tristan Kendrick becomes high king of the Moonshaes.
- After centuries of silence from the Dragon Queen, the few remaining followers of the Nemesis of the Gods successfully summon an aspect of Tiamat known as the Dark Lady to Unther, an event that had been heralded centuries before by Ochir Naal, profet of Tiamat.
- The Friendly Arm Inn is constructed by Bentley Mirrorshade and his wife Gellana over the ruins of the destroyed Bhaalist temple.
- The second Doron Amar settlement in the Wood of Sharp Teeth nears completion.
- Clan Ironfaar is rebuilt under the leadership of Korgoth following Foinus' death.
- After the mysterious disappearance of N.T.E. leader Selah Shartess, the Magna Vault Trading Company moves in to take a share of the trade in and around Nashkel.
- Flaming Fist First Company, also known as 'Norton's Bastards' returns from a successful mission to the jungles of Chult.
- The Flaming Fist occupy the corrupt docks district of Baldur's Gate after the assassination of some prominent citizens, drastically decreasing the crime in that area of the city.
- 'The Lightbringer Incident' occurs, in which member of the Flaming Fist Eric Lightbringer attempts to assassinate Duke Eltan when brought up on charges of necromancy. This leads to a restructure of the mercenary company.
- The hin village of Gullykin is terrorized by worgs led by an enormous barghest.
- The White Mask Theatre is burned by arsonists, resulting in the destruction of most of the interior. It is rebuilt within the next few months.
- An unaffiliated mercenary company sporting a red uniform and silver star, going by the name ‘Red Field Guard’, is founded by one captain Kel. After condemning the illegal actions taken by one of its alleged members, Duke Eltan orders the Flaming Fist to disband the Red Field Guard. Those who continue to openly wear the colors of the Red Field Guard are hunted down and punished.
- The Wardens of Beregost form under the command of Dean Sonlite. Although they still report to Most Radiant of Lathander Kelddath Ormlyr, governor of Beregost, the group is separate from the church of Lathander.
- Torrential rain leads to flooding and lost crops in and around Baldur's Gate, leading to near famine conditions. The Triadic churches help organize relief.
- The Magna Vault Trading Company more or less collapses when many of its leaders are discovered to be criminals. The North Amnian Trade Guild is formed in the ashes, but it too does not last long.
- Rhys Feivra founds the Arcane Academy in Doron Amar, and institutes himself as Headmaster.
1345 DR (2009) - Year of the Saddle
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- - The Coast Plague affects Murann, Athkatla, Purkul, and Crimmor in Amn, killing thousands of people. The plague spreads by caravan, infecting folk in Beregost and Zazesspur.
- Jyordhan is slain by Khelben Arunsun of Waterdeep, bringing about the Time of No Lords (until 1348 DR) in Shadowdale.
- The Lord of Murder, Bhaal, corrupts one of the Earthmother's Moonwells of the Moonshae Isles. From this Darkwell, Kazgaroth the Beast attemps to destroy the Earthmother and ruin the Moonshaes.
- Religious strife breaks out in Waterdeep between the church of Shar and the churches of Lathander, Selûne, and Tempus, resulting in the Night of Temple Fires.
- King Pwylloch of Snowdown is assassinated.
- Quorl Vemmil, Tessarch on the Council of Six in Amn, fails in his plot to frame Meisarch Thayze Selemchant and is forced to Keczulla.
- Baldur's Gate is besieged by a mixed army of goblinoid and giant creatures. Duke Eltan rides out to lead the defense himself.
- The Shadow Singer of Aria, also known as the Herald of Darkness, a proxy of Shar, plagues the Sword Coast, preying upon women in the night. The Church of Shar, acting secretly, gathers power.
- The White Mask Theater is constructed by the Iron Throne at the behest of Selis Vhaire.
- Under the leadership of Selah Shartess, the Nashkel Trade Emporium works to rebuild Nashkel following a costly attack by giants. An alliance with the Ironfaar and druid circle is formed for stonework and agriculture, respectively. The Diamond Blades are formed to serve as protection for the N.T.E. and Nashkel.
- Arkaine Halforken founds the Baldur's Gate chapter of the Order of the Radiant Heart.
- 'Toybox' continues to run the Thieves Guild, striking at at rival evil organizations to consolidate power.
- Plantagonox, a bronze dragon, comes to the region in order to aid against a family of white dragons in the Cloud Peak mountains. The metallic dragon befriends Candlekeep, the Weave Masters, and a handful of adventurers before his demise while assaulting the enemy.
- The publicly popular 'Tolerance is Treason' campaign is lead by Dallenthel and Valenthel Wyndsoul, resulting in their knighthood by the Dukes of Baldur's Gate.
- A corrupt member of the Flaming Fist tortures Sister Merielle. Despite the guilty officer being severely punished by Justin Crownsilver, the event led to 'The Beren Cross Incident' in which Beren Cross of the Valiant Shield collaborated with a handful of misled elves from Doron Amar against the Fist. culminating in the assassination of Justin Crownsilver.
- 'The Crownsilver Affair' occurs, in which Justin Crownsilver's ghost haunts the Coast seeking revenge on those who murdered him. Sister Merielle helps his spirit find justice instead, and Crownsilver is restored to life.
- A winter of torment grips the area as the Bhaalists try to seize the boy 'Billy' from the protection of the Ilmateri. Riots ensue as the commonfolk demand the boy be given up when their loved ones are slain by cultists.
- The first Doron Amar, an elven community in the Wood of Sharp Teeth, is razed by orcs, and the second begins construction under new leadership.
- Rumors surface of another Thayan enclave being established on the Sword Coast. This time in Amn, near Nashkel. On the initiative of the Red Wizards whom were exiled from Duchal domains.
- The Bhaalist siege occurs, resulting in the razing of the temple of Bhaal along the Trade Way by the combined forces of the Flaming Fist and Triadic churches. An avatar of Bhaal, the Lord of Murder, was said to have been slain at the final battle by a small strike force of righteous heroes, where an aspect of Ilmater may also have been present. Jonas Rokranon is knighted, and Sister Merielle Williams (Silene) is made a living saint.
1344 DR (2008) - Year of the Moonfall
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- - After years of thought and meditation, the leaders of the elf nations agree to withdrawal from the increasingly human controlled lands of mainland Faerûn. Most, though not all, elf communities begin a Retreat to the Green Isle of Evermeet.
- Mintiper Moonsilver reportedly scatters the three Nether Scrolls from the Hall of Mists to other locations.
- Samas Kul arranges the concession of a small Thayan Quarter in the city of Procampur, creating the first of the Thayan enclaves.
- Maethiira, wife of Piergeiron the Paladinson, Lord of Waterdeep, dies.
- A rogue and corrupt trading coster attacks Baldur's Gate, and later occupies Beregost.
- An ancient red dragon terrorizes the Sword Coast and is hunted down by a large group of adventurers.
- The Weave Masters are founded in Baldur's Gate with the help of the bronze dragon Shimshelussir 'the Benevolent Fang'.
- The Keepers of the Elder Circle become a prominent force in the protection of nature in the region.
- The Ramset Plague runs rampant in the Baldur's Gate area, causing outbursts of undead abominations from those infected.
- Clan Ironfaar is founded by Foinus Ironfaar.
- A strong Zhentarim presence makes itself known throughout the Baldur's Gate area.
- The Thieves Guild operating in Baldur's Gate becomes influential under the leadership of 'Toybox'.
- Late in the year several Red Wizards start a Thayan enclave near Baldur's Gate, on their own initiative, to link the Sword Coast with Thay through the new Thayan Enclave in Procampur. A dispute over payment leads to a Red Wizard attack on Baldur's Gate in which a number of adventurers, including Flaming Fist officer Justin Crownsilver, distinguish themselves. The Red Wizards go into exile from Duchal Domains.
- Beregost is occupied for over a tenday by the Twisted Rune, a cabal of liches. Jonas Rokranon and Dallenthel Wyndsoul lead the liberation.
