Letter to the Nobility and Businessmen of Baldur's Gate

[Rhifox]

The following letter is sent to the households of noble families and successful businessmen residing in Baldur's Gate and the surrounding areas. It bears the red seal of the Thayan Enclave of Baldur's Gate, and references a recent petition launched by the Temple of Ilmater.

To the esteemed lords, ladies, and business people of Baldur's Gate,

In these times of chaos and turmoil, excellence in leadership and rational thinking are needed to bring this city of ours back to prominence and success. The Thayan Enclave of Baldur's Gate thanks each of you for the commitment you have shown to your lands and your businesses. May your reigns be long and your profits high.

The Enclave wishes to speak to you today on a recent petition to the Dukes of Baldur's Gate that has emerged from the Temple of Ilmater. This petition concerns the troubles of the common people, who in these lean times find themselves thrust into committing criminal acts in the name of survival. It calls on the Dukes to reduce the severity of its sentencing laws according to circumstances, and speaks a story of a thief that accidentally murdered a man during his attempt to acquire food for his family and who nearly faced the hangman's noose for the deed.

The Enclave sympathizes with the ill fortunes that have beset the common people, and though our donations to their well-being were unfortunately refused by the Temple of Ilmater in the name of politics, we pray that Tymora will bless them with better than they have had. Unfortunately, the Temple of Ilmater's petition comes at a poor time. Baldur's Gate and the surrounding regions have suffered tremendously at the hands of the undead armies. The city watch and the Flaming Fist are spread thin, and as more people are lured to crime by their misfortunes, the ability to maintain order becomes increasingly difficult.

The Temple of Ilmater wishes to see sentencing changed so that mercy may be shown to those criminals that are acting in the name of survival. However, in so doing the Temple threatens the security of legitimate businesses. Criminal sentences are more than simply punishment, they are a deterrence. And while we can agree that perhaps a review of these laws may be warranted at some point in the future, now is not the time to pursue it. Reduced patrols, supply shortages, and the large increase in vagrancy all create an environment in which crime thrives. This is acknowledged by former Flaming Fist commander Myhun Kren, who writes, "An economy does not recover when merchants have their goods stolen because the punishment for the crime has been lessened. It will inspire more people to steal to survive while driving merchants away from the city. It is not what we want to happen. Things will get worse as the true issue is not addressed." Though the Temple of Ilmater means well with its goals, the ramifications of such a change at this time is a threat to legitimate business men and women.

Removing deterrents at this point in time not only increases the incentive of these people to turn to robbery or burglary, it will require the ruling lords to pay additional taxes for the upkeep of prisons and additional guards for the expected increase in punitive incarcerations. Is it truly just to ask legitimate business men and women, and the ruling lords and ladies, to pay the expenses of the very people who have committed crimes against them? Is it right that the family of the victim in the petition's story will have to pay more in taxes to feed and house the murderer in a local prison?

The Enclave appeals to the ruling classes of Baldur's Gate to oppose this motion. This is not the time for the city to remove deterrents to criminal activity. Instead, let us act intelligently, to prevent crime. The Temple of Ilmater already does much work in this in its programs of donations and soup kitchens, and it accomplishes its goals far better in this capacity. But there is more to be done. Put people to work. Instead of offering community service to thieves and murderers, hire honest, law-abiding men and women to work on the city's restoration. Instead of giving even more incentive to commit crimes, give more incentives to earn legitimate coin. There is enough that needs doing, and it is about time that this city begins employing its actual citizens instead of relying continually on the good will of adventurers, whose assistance in the restoration efforts has had the unfortunate effect of taking jobs away from those who desperately need them.

As long as this city remains in economic straits, we cannot allow crime to become seen as a viable alternative to hard work. The Temple's petition, while noble in intention, comes at a time where it would remove a much-needed deterrent to criminal activity, threatening the security of those who have broken no laws to benefit those that have. For those who worry about these threats to their property and investments, the Enclave reminds you that we have on offer the very best in home security with our golems and abjuration services. We also provide assistance in negotiating mercenary contracts, and as ever give discounts for bulk purchases of magical arms and armors; perfect for resupplying the armories of any private retinues.

We all seek the restoration of Baldur's Gate to prosperity. And while none of us wishes to see innocent people suffer, we must remind the Temple of Ilmater that the people it wishes to help with its petition are not innocent. The Temple's own foodbanks and donation drives already give the truly poor a means of survival that does not require depriving another. Continue these efforts, don't increase the incentives to commit crime.

If the laws are truly unjust, then let us wait for a period of stability before seeking change. Baldur's Gate does not need more chaos in her present state.

We thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Magus Saetra Pharei
of the Thayan Enclave of Baldur's Gate