Orphanage and Orphans of Baldur's Gate (Player/DM IC RP)

[DM Arrakeen]

Shortly after she departs from the Temple of Ilmater, Alexandra Keenan arrives at the orphanage. The young woman steps into the building and kindly smiles at one of the nearby guards. "Do pardon," she says as she slowly approaches. "I have with me a letter from Miss Sylvi to Revered Sister Juna. With whom may I leave it so that she receives it?"

(( Additional forum post references: Here & Here ))

A tall and bulky man turns his attention to the young woman and greets her with a respectful dip of his head. Symbol of the Radian Heart adorns his armor's chest piece glistening softly. "Morning miss. You may leave the letter with me. I'll make sure it reaches Revered Sister's hands as soon as possible. Thank you for taking the effort to deliver it." The guard flashes Alexandra a gentle smile.

[TarnishedSoul]

A tall and bulky man turns his attention to the young woman and greets her with a respectful dip of his head. Symbol of the Radiant Heart adorns his armor's chest piece glistening softly. "Morning miss. You may leave the letter with me. I'll make sure it reaches Revered Sister's hands as soon as possible. Thank you for taking the effort to deliver it." The guard flashes Alexandra a gentle smile.

"Gratitude," Alexandra warmly responds to the guardsman as she offers him the missive. The young woman then casts a quick, curious glance at the building before she takes her leave of it.

[DM Arrakeen]

In the last three tendays, two relocations of children have taken place.

The first one involved a move of 30 charges (36 in total) from the core Orphanage building to Pathfinder Hall.

The second one was arranged by Emissary of Greyfox Tribe and successfully led to a relocation of 9 children.
Emissary Nerys of Greyfox Tribe, Telia Santraeger, Lion Blade Dorne and a young ilmatari Anne together with nine kids teleported out of the city farmlands. At the temporary camp new member of the tribe were greeted by chieftain Cynric and other tribesmen. A feast followed after the introductions.

Hidden: show

With another dozen of kids starting apprenticeships or finding employment in various places all around the city the number of charges is slowly going down thanks to various initiatives arranged by people of Baldur's Gate.

[Tsidkenu]

A happy scene unfolded in the Temple of Mystra as a new adherent was inducted into the roll of membership. She was inducted with a Magical Sacrifice Ceremony, after which she received a silver, eight-pointed star as an amulet and token of her membership with Mystra's faithful.

Aeili Blesses the Faithful through the Fires of Sacrifice


Mili Receives her Symbol from the High Priestess


The teenage girl, who some would have recognised as being one of the orphans from Pathfinder's Hall, would now be seen to frequent the Temple, coming and going at the beck and call of the two priestesses there. In the evenings she would retire to Lady Neela's residence, and in the mornings she would be seen accompanying Priestess Aeili as she goes about early morning devotional activity and resupplying the Temple's spell components from Halbazzer Drin's shop.

There are probably no doubts that the bright young star would be missed by the other children in Pathfinder's Hall, but Aeili would permit her to visit from time to time to see her friends and share the stories of her new life in the Temple of Magic.

[DM Arrakeen]

///Updated the midsection of the first post regarding Pathfinder Hall: Mili is no longer in Lions' care.

Delayed update to the lower section of the first post. Added Relocations: To the Greyfox Tribe with the list of the children. ///

[DM Arrakeen]

The relocation to Norheim led by Arch-Druidess Merriman a tenday ago made it possible for the Ilmatari to focus their efforts on another initiative.

Finally, another dozen of children either found either employment or apprenticeship in various businesses in the Gate. However, the adoptions of few charges are what really brings happiness to the clergy of the Broken God. Some kids were adopted locally by residents of the city but some found their new homes and families as far as Waterdeep or Athkatla.

As of this day, the overpopulation in the Mercy's Orphanage is no longer a dire problem.

///Update in the first post: Number of charges is now 147. Added the list of children relocated to Norheim.///

[DM Dialectic]

It is rumored that elven orphans from Baldur's Gate recently successfully resettled in the elven realm of En Dharasha Everae. Those that would visit the elven settlement would find the children quite generally warm and happy with the move and being taken excellent care of by the En Dharasha Everae elves.

[DM Arrakeen]

After the relocation of elven and half-elven children, few successful adoptions and another couple of older kids leaving the Orphanage to start a new life, the current number of charges dropped to 131.

Lately, things have been busy in the Orphanage. Few general staff meetings have taken place and a young Seeker of Candlekeep, Miss Alexandra Keenan, has been present at the two of them. Combined with rumors of some correspondence between Revered Sister Juna and Guide of Candlekeep Laitae Lafreth, one could assume that the famous Knowledge Keepers may have some initiative underway.

///Update in the first post: Number of charges is now 131. Added the list of children relocated to EDE in the lower midsection. Apologies for the delay on this. ///

[DM Arrakeen]

A commotion arose within the walls of the Orphanage. Apparently, Revered Sister Juna ordered the staff to clean out the room in the attic, previously used as a storage space. Beds, table, chairs, and two drawers were relocated to said room and a guard was placed outside the door.

All this took place when most of the charges - with the exception of the children in the nursery - were taken for a city trip to other Temples and the store called Shelf of Many Books.

[dak12attack]

It is mid-morn when Gideon arrives to the orphanage's doors. He surveys the building, nodding once as if to disperse any confusion he may have had.

Should the door be guarded, the smith greets the guardsmen, stating his business. He presents the letter that Sister Juna penned for him.
If the door is not guarded, he simply knocks and awaits to be received.

The door is guarded. A woman with a Radiant Heart symbol on her plate greets Gideon then looks at the letter the man has provided. A nod is offered and the guard lets Gideon in.
Insides of the building are simple, crude even and the sound of over a hundred of kids crammed in there are various. Crying, laughing, talking, yelling clash with other noises. Clanking of plates, screeching sound of wood and splashing of water.
Despite the ruckus, the place appears to be neat and clean.

Another guard meets Gideon inside. "Greetings sir, how may I help you?"

"Well met," the smith greets the secondary guard. The man is aged, well-worn into his mid-60's. His hair is a grey with a touch of silver, as is the stubble clad upon his squarish jaw-line. His eyes are an icy blue, crystalline with white, a tell-tale sign of his age. Despite his elderly appearance, he carries himself with an upright stature. He presents the letter to the guard.

"I am here to seek out Sister Juna," he sounds, aging eyes scanning the immediate area before returning back to the guard. "Is she available at this time?"

"No, sir. I'm afraid she is not. But Miss Anne should be available," the guard leaves his post for a brief moment and when he is back a young woman follows him. She smiles and greets Gideon.

"Welcome, sir. I've been told you are here in regards to a correspondence exchange you had with Revered Sister? From what I understood, you seek an apprentice? Please, this way. Let us speak in a better place than a corridor," Anne enters an empty room, resembling a classroom and sits down behind a desk. She offers Gideon a seat.

The smith offers the barest of a smile, as if he were unable to maintain the expression, but nonetheless he does as he greetings Anne. "Correct, Miss Anne," he replies in a short, simple response.

The elderly smith follows Anne, matching her pace. He seems to be fit for a man of his age, oddly enough, but when he sits, a low and soft groan escapes his dry lips as the movement strains his tired back. Slowly the man eases into the chair offered and he mouths a silent thanks to Anne.

Anne folds her hands and with a cheerful demeanor addresses the smith. "What are the traits you seek in an apprentice, sir? If you could narrow down what a said child should know or be able to do, it'll be much easier for us to pick someone," the young ilmatari reaches for a piece of paper and a charcoal stick ready to take down notes. Despite her rather plain looks, she appears to have a certain warm and calm aura about her and a smile seems to always cling to her lips.

The grey-haired blacksmith narrows his eyes and pensively thinks upon the question raised by Anne. He clears his throat and wets his dry lips before speaking, giving him a sort of grandfatherly charm about him "I suppose they'd have to be strong and have a hearty constitution to them. The shop isn't too welcoming on some - my wife hated the place, couldn't breath, she said..." He rambles on briefly, but ultimately catches himself and halts with a slow blink. He takes a moment to rethink his words.

"Most importantly, they'd have to be willing to learn. Don't have much time for someone that hates doing their job. Boy or girl, it doesn't matter to me, so long as they fit the bill." He nods in conclusion as he speaks in final on the criteria.

Anne taps the charcoal stick against the parchment in thought. "I see. And would you be able to provide apprenticeship with a place to live or just the apprenticeship and the child would have to come back to the Orphanage for the night?" Young woman pens down a note and looks back at the aging man. "You said, your wife hated it. Did she pass away?" young ilmatari asks tentatively.

"Aye, I have my own residence here in the city with room for one more," Gideon nods firmly to her question. Suddenly, his face tightens with small frown pressing his lips thin. "Aye.." He answers solemnly. "She did pass, many a-year ago now."

Anne's head bobs gently. "I am sorry to hear that. I offer my condolences and even more so," the young woman offers a warm, soothing smile. "I want to commend you on what you want to do. It's a quite challenging to raise an apprentice but also an honorable thing," ilmatari caretaker looks through her notes. "I think we can find you someone willing to learn. Do you need us to cover the expenses of the apprenticeship?"

"It isn't about honour, it is what is right. I was like them once - an orphan." Gideon harrumphs softly, clearing his throat with a gentle coughing. "Don't worry about costs, Anne. I've got more than enough to provide."

The young ilmatari chuckles, rubbing her cheek gently. "And here I didn't want to tell you, sir, what's right or wrong. Some people take offence to that. I'm glad you see it this way," she smiles happily. "I'll make sure we pick a right apprentice for you. Unless you want to take part in the selection process?"

The silver-haired smith shakes his head slowly. "Nay, I wouldn't wish to intimidate any of the younglings, or make them feel like they aren't worthy of being chosen. Hope is a rare commodity, I find these days." The smith pauses briefly as he reflects on his own words, a small touch of a frown present. That frown soon dissipates as Gideon speaks up. "I thank you for your time, Anne."

"Or course, sir. I fully understand. Well, let me escort you to the entrance. I'll let you know by courier once a child is selected," Anne rises from her seat folding the parchment with few notes. The young caretaker waits for Gideon to rise before she walks him to the door. "Thank you once more, sir, for coming to us with such proposition. Mercy's bless," ilmatari smiles warmly and dips her head.

"Thank you, Anne." Slowly he rises from the chair, using the back as a prop to right himself.a hollow, tired sigh parts his dry lips. Gideon tails the Ilmateri caretaker until they reach the door. He turns and looks upon Anne with a small smile, a gesture rarely seen upon the curmudgeonly smith's face.

"Don't thank me, thank Ameris. It was his idea, afterall."

He bids Anne a farewell, and if the guard is still posted by the door, he says his goodbyes as well. Gideon leaves the orphanage, sauntering off towards the bustling city.

The young woman watches him go with the smallest of frowns. After a moment she shakes her head and goes back to her duties.

[DM Arrakeen]

Yesterday in the early morning a small group consisting of humans, halflings and gnomes exited the Orphanage and upon leaving the city limits they disappeared in a bright flash.
It would be known that a relocation of 6 children of halfling and gnome origin have been a successful one.

A wealthy merchant family from Memnon adopted 2 children and offered free long-term apprenticeships to 4 more before leaving in their own ship. They also made a small donation to the Orphanage in a form of four rolls of fine quality cotton and linen. Ilmatari are in the process of trying to find someone willing to sew outfits for children for a small price.

///Update in the first post: Number of charges is now 118.///

[DM Arrakeen]

Rumor has it that a group of seven children, relocated to the Orphanage from the Temple of Ilmater some time ago is doing better.
Caretakers suspect that it won't be long till the children recover fully.

///Update in the first post: Number of charges is now 125.///

[dak12attack]

A note reaches Gideon at his residence

Upon receiving the letter and reading the letter, the smith heads for the orphanage once more. It takes him a great deal to walk from his homestead and workshop to the East Gate, and he arrives by the mid-morning. Gideon greets the guard posted outside the building with a firm jerk of the head and presents the letter, stating his business.

The guard on duty greets Gideon and after a moment lets the man in. Inside the smith would find some children getting ready to go outside. A middle-aged woman keeping an eye on them turns to Gideon. "Hello sir, are you here to meet with someone?" she puts a coat over a small boy's shoulders.

Pale blue eyes, fissured with white rods (a tell-tale sign of his age) gaze upon the children one by one. He holds a stern gaze normally, but upon seeing the younglings, they soften. He holds a grandfatherly look with a small smile uplifting the edges of his lips. He gazes to the woman now.

"Aye, I am here to speak with Anne, perhaps, on the matters of an apprentice." Like the guard, he presents the letter outward towards the middle-aged caretaker.

The small group, consisting of boys and girls offers waves and hellos Gideon's way while the woman skims through the letter. "Of course, silly me. Don't let me keep you. Just take this corridor, the last doors on the left is where Anne should be at this hour. Good luck sir," the woman smiles politely and urges the group outside.

Once in front of the right door Gideon would hear child-like voice reading something and a familiar one, belonging to Anne, correcting some of the mistakes the kid makes.

Gideon nods with silent gratitude and follows the caretaker's directions. He makes strides down the corridor, to the last door on his left. The grey-haired smith knocks twice and then slowly opens the door...

Those inside don't even notice Gideons quiet intrusion. The child, a boy no more than 10 winters reads slowly another passage from the book. The rest of the children follow the script and Anne gently helps the struggling child get through the more complicated words. Upon reaching a part where the children seem most confused, the young ilmatari smiles warmly and explains in a gentle tone the meaning of words.

He dares not to intrude on the lesson. Silent is the smith as he lingers within the threshold of the doorway. A small smile of remembrance touches his tired eyes, as memory recalls when he was in the same position as the boy reading. His nostrils flare with a quiet sigh, remembering those many, many years ago.

As he stands there a girl in the back notices him, her hand shoots up and Anne looks to her student. The child points to the man. Young ilmatari turns and beams a smile at Gideon. "Sir, welcome. Apologies for not noticing you," her head bobs in greeting then she turns to regard the class. "You are lucky today. Finish reading this chapter and that will be all for today. Class dismissed!" Anne claps her hands. Children pack in a hurry, glad the lesson was cut short and run outside, passing the man. Some over waves. Woman's attention returns to the elderly man. "Please, sir, sit," she indicates a chair that has been emptied.

As she gestures, he sits. Again, his age is portrayed with his slow descent into the seat. He settles nicely into the chair now. "That boy - the one that was reading, what is his name?" The smith suddenly inquires.

Once she settled down in a chair himself Anne's warm gaze turns to Gideon. "That was Brian. He is doing better than in the beginning. Half a year ago he didn't know any letters," ilmatari says with a smile.

"I wasn't any good at reading and writing myself, when I was a boy," the aged smith admits honestly. "But the Sisters made certain that all of us could read and write."

Gideon wets his dry lips before speaking again. "Now, about the apprentice.."

"Very few little boys really enjoy reading at this stage. They are all about pirates, knights, tree climbing, and sword fighting," Anne taps her fingers against the desk with amusement visible in her eyes. "Yes, the apprentice. We have a boy here, his name is Riley. He is 12 years old and quite strong for his age," ilmatari chuckles gently. "Riley helps us with fixes around here. Our handyboy so to speak. Would it be possible that while on his apprenticeship he could still come here one day a week to help with simple repairs?"

"Of course, Anne. That wouldn't be an issue at all," The elderly smith raises his right hand in assurance to couple his words. "Can the boy read and write? Will he still need to come for lessons each day?" Gideon inquires with a noticeable curiousness that furrows his brow most quizzically.

Anne thinks a moment. "Well, in all honesty, his writing skills are nowhere near we would like them to be. He reads more or less fluently simple and a little more complex texts, nothing too advanced, however. I'd not ask him to take few hours out of his apprenticeship schedule to come here and learn. Wouldn't that disturb your work?" she looks to Gideon intently.

The smith immediately stiffens in his seat. He clears his throat before speaking. "I'd rather see the boy educated above all. I can, and will, allocate enough hours each day for his learning before he even touches one of my hammers."

He pauses before he speaks up again, this time his tone a little more soft and less passionate. "When I was a boy... I was never really taught to read -or- write. Taught myself some years later when I was a young man. I couldn't will that on another, especially my to-be apprentice."

Anne smiles warmly to the elderly man. "Then he could come here in the morning for the necessary lessons. Then before noon he could go back to your workshop and dedicate rest of the day to learning your craft. How does this sound?" the young caretaker rubs her chin in thought. "This way he gets all he needs."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," the smith speaks with a firm neutrality to his tone and demeanor. "When will I meet the boy?" Gideon tilts his head in question curiously.

"We could do it today." Anne suggests gently. "While our charges are busy with chores I could ask someone to bring Riley here. Would that be fine?"

"I am at your Mercy, Anne." the smith bows his head a respective degree. His hands, laden with callouses, rubs together. He seems to display a touch of nervousness.

Anne nods and exits the room. Voices can be heard outside and a few moments later the young woman returns. She sits down behind the desk, eyeing the old man curiously. "Are you nervous, sir?"

When Anne departs, the man sighs deeply. His tired, pale-blue eyes blink with a hard shut of his lids. His eyes open after a moment, and the smith readjusts hus composure, sitting tall. "Aye, I must admit I am a slight nervous. It... has been a long, long time since my last apprentice."

"I understand," the young woman smiles brightly. "For some reason this makes me even more optimistic about the whole idea," Anne chuckles gently. "Something tells me you and Riley will work well together."

As she speaks this words doors open and a bulky boy steps in. He dips his head in greeting to Anne and her guest. "Hello," his voice rings clear, already changing into that of a man even if the eyes of the boy betray his true age giving him no more than 13 winters.

Anne motions the boy closer. "Come in, Riley. Close the door. I want you to meet someone," the ilmatari indicates Gideon, letting him introduce himself.

"Aye, I have high hopes for the lad.." Gideon speaks just as the door opens. His pale eyes find the boy Riley, a touch of a smile meeting his thin and dry lips.

He rises to stand, and offers his right hand to the boy. "Gideon, smith. It is a pleasure to meet you, Riley."

The smith has a calm, yet firm tone as he speaks towards the boy.

The young soon to be man squeezes Gideon's hand firmly. "Likewise sir," the boy nods with a polite smile, then looks to Anne.

"Sit sit," she motions him to a chair next to the elderly man. "As you probably know we have been arranging work and apprenticeship for many of the children. This man here has an offer for you. I want you to listen to what he has to say," the ilmatari looks in turn to Gideon. "It is better if you explain what the job is about, sir."

The elderly blacksmith returns the gesture - a firm handshake. His hand is meaty and gnarled and laden with callouses from decades of labour.

He lowers himself to sit again, a soft wheeze leaving his lips as his age shows in his trying attempt to descend upon the seat. His icy blue eyes behold a sternful, yet neutral expression.

"I am a blacksmith, Riley. I hammer metal into shape and make tools, weapons, armour and anything in between." Gideon pauses to lick at his dry lips. "I understand you're quite the handyman. I would offer you a job, Riley, as my apprentice. You would assist me in the forge and be paid for your help. Does this sound fair to you?"

Riley glances between the elderly blacksmith and Anne, nodding in understanding. "I'd leave the Orphanage then?"

"Yes," Anne concurs. "During the time of your apprenticeship, you would live together with your teacher."

"But who would take care of all that needs to be done around here then?" Riley frowns lightly.

"Well, we have already discussed this with Mr Gideon. You would still work one day a week here," ilmatari explains.

The boy rubs the back of his neck in thought. "I can work with my hands, no problem. It would be good to know a craft I think. I could make a living, right?" Riley looks to Gideon.

"Fifty-one years have I been a smith, Riley. I was thirteen, and an orphan, when I was taken in as an apprentice. Blacksmithing isn't just working for others, it is turning iron and steel and mithral into tools and weapons and armour. Those things you create are used by others, and only because you as a smith did it. You like to work with your hands, and this is a hands-on job."

The smith pauses to clear his dry throat. "Of course, when you finish your tasks for the day, I am more than willing to allow you to return to the orphanage to allow you to see your friends." The blacksmith then softly adds, "This is an opportunity, not a punishment."

The bulky boy glances between the adults for a moment then a look of resolve shows in his eyes. "Let's do it then. I'm ready to learn," he smiles.

"When would you like him to move, sir?" Anne directs her question at Gideon.

"I am only willing to teach those wanting to learn," he says to Riley.

"On the morrow would be fine with me, if that is not too soon."

"That's fine. I'll have the boy packed and ready in the morning then," Anne nods with a smile then turns to Riley. "Go on. Pack and get ready."

"Aye," Riley grins. "Til morn' " the boy dips his head and leaves the room.

Ilmatari looks back to Gideon. "That went well," she chuckles warmly.

"Until morning." He says to Riley as the boy departs.

A sigh of relief escapes his lips as Riley leaves. "Aye, well enough." He says to Anne. There's a smile to his eyes, but it doesn't touch his lips.

"Let me see you out, sir," Anne raises and heads to door. "I can't express how happy this arrangement makes me. I hope it all goes well," she escorts Gideon to the main entrance.

"It'll go well. He's eager to learn." Gideon rises slowly. He follows Anne to the front entrance to the orphanage.

"Thank you for this opportunity, Anne." He manages a small, fleeting smile.

The young woman smiles. "My pleasure. We will see you tomorrow, sir," she opens the door for him.

[DM Arrakeen]

Thanks to Copper Fox's initiative, four children found a new home in Ulgoth's Beard among the fishermen families and three more found work there.

Few more charges found work and apprenticeships as fletchers, bakers, butchers, masons and potters.

///Update in the first post: Number of charges is now 110.

Important notice: I'll be closing the Orphanage-related plotline by 11/07/2016. ///

[Ariella]

The Archmage Teharissa Vennelis makes her way to the orphanage leaving a letter for Revered Sister Juna.

"Dear Revered Sister Juna,

I write to you today to speak about the education of the orphans within your care. I represent Bluesummer Academy a school currently being built in the gate to teach the arcane, bardic and mundane. Now while the school its self typically focus's on older students Brother Ameris has said you are lacking in education for the mass of Orphans.

To rectify this we would like to organize some free regular classes for the orphans closer to coming of age, As well as scholarships for those who have expressed a great interest in learning. At this time we can cover the learning expenses of up to eight students for three year courses, If the students are also willing to work for bluesummer academy in their spare time we will offer money to help with food and housing as well. We hope to improve this number considerably in the future but it is dependent on backers supporting the academy.

Let me know what you think

Archmage Teharissa Vennelis, High Magus of Bluesummer academy. "