Rumors & Events of Baldur's Gate

[TheTwiste11491]

Many riders of the Ebon Blade. are sent our passing out and hanging up this notice along the coast.

[quote="TheTwiste11491"][/quote

[Kagger911]

Random scrolls seem to begin fluttering in the wind from the center of town.

Auction
Bring your Broken Items!
Bigger Crowd, Higher Calibre
Baldur's Gate Harbor Area, Warehouse Three


Amabiro Shekels Shyste

[Shadow Moonlight]

With the recent rumblings of the Drow attack near the FAI a lone perhaps familiar Bardess can be seeing appearing in various Taverns or upon the sides of the roads finding the most popular spots along the Coast. Regaling those that pass with a Song to bring them to the Fear they should have, instead of the complacency that she has heard rumor of.

Hidden: show

[parchment]Of all the Faerun Monsters
There's one with shocking gall
Their goal the Domination and Enslavement of us all.
The King of Schemes
The Prince of Pain
The Captain of Corruption
They tills the Land of Faerun
And sows the seeds of Destruction

The plane meld is nigh
The plane meld is nigh
Our world will disappear
The plane meld is nigh
The plane meld is nigh
Our doom is drawing near

Chains of Darkness grip the land
And draw it ever near
To their nightmare, Down below
Where hope bows down to fear
Tearing souls of innocents
Into eternal pain
While their many minions
Sing praises of their name

The plane meld is nigh
The plane meld is nigh
As Spider Queen commands

The plane meld is nigh
The plane meld is nigh
Our doom is now at hand[/parchment]

[Lighters]

An older gentleman, bespectacled and wrinkled with age, may have been seen of late among the various stacks at the Shelf of Many Books. It seems he is researching all things Westgate. In particular any references to the great merchant houses therein, those merchant families of nobles both modern and past.

He spends his evenings in the local taverns, inns, and alehouses making conversation with traveling folk as he is able, using his charm and skill in both storytelling and diplomacy to attempt to do the same. He targets any known/obvious agents of mercantile cartels traveling through the western heartlands and beyond.

Of particular interest is any mention of the name Montpelier, though he is discreet enough to only ask about it directly if mentioned first.

[Tsidkenu]

A rumour spreads like wildfire, starting at Wyrms Crossing and soon in the ears of every Baldurian resident, that the drow Hellstorm Pirate, Israe'anna, was delilvered dead to the Flaming Fist today, apparently slain by an elvish hunter after being confronted on the Lion's Way by a priestess of Helm. The drowess' remains were transported to the city, under guard, by one Kald Blake.



Her body is currently under guard in the Flaming Fist compound as the upper echelons of the Mercenary Company's leadership decide what will be done with it.



Not long after the following notice found its way to the public noticeboard after being delivered orally by Baldur's Gate's herald in the central square of the Eastern Gate district.

[parchment]

It is hereby decreed, on the Authority of the Vigilant One, for the protection and safety of Baldur's Gate and its populace, that the halfling merchant known commonly as

Pokey

is a defender of drow rights to live free and unmolested under the light of the sun, as evidenced by his resistance of and interference with my attempt to arrest the Hellstorm Pirate and Sharran heretic named Israe'anna upon the Lion's Way on the 8th Day of Eleint, Year of the Arch.

Deal with him at your own peril for your protection and wellbeing in his company is not guaranteed.

Signed,
Adept Mae yr Machshikhah
Watchknight of Helm

[/parchment]

[V'rass]

*A reply would be left on the notice board by Exordius. It states that he supports Pokey and has harsh words for Helm and his followers.*

[Azerkatil]

*Another Notice would appear under Exordius,*
"I find it rich that the followers of the Great Protector, are persecuting one, whom wanted to protect another individual. Is this the Stance of the Church of Helm as a Whole? Or just an individual whom be forgetting the ethics of her god.
~ Kendra"

[Milluw]

Late at night a redhaired woman might be seen strolling through the the streets of Baldurs Gate tacking up posters.
In the morning they are everywhere for those waking up to see.



(( 18th September 16:30 - 17:00 GMT ))
Countdown: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/j ... nt=cursive

[Tsidkenu]

At the turn of dusk on the 11th day of Eleint, a heavily armoured female figure ascended the public pulpit in the Eastern Gate square and began to preach a boisterous, energetic and direct sermon regarding the recent drow activity in the region.



"Hearken, citizens of Baldur's Gate and its lawful protectors, soldiers and mercenaries of the Flaming Fist. The word has gone out into the streets, alleys and byways that the drow are once again active in our region. No further proof needs to be delivered than what already was: the accursed drow and Hellstorm pirtate named Israe'anna slaughtered on the road some leagues to the south, as every drow discovered in the light of the sun rightfully should be," she started, pausing for dramatic effect before continuing.

"The Watchers were there, Ever-Vigilant, patrolling the road which is so crucial for southward trade when this drow willingly surrendered at my command," she continued, her booming, militaristic voice issuing forth into the square and ably echoing off the distant walls of the Thayan Enclave. "And yet, and yet, there was one, the halfling merchant named Pokey, who decided to come to the defence of this black devil and parade her rights to life, safety and peace as if she were one of the common denizens of this fair city, or any other fair and civilised habitation," she again boomed out with another dramatic pause.

"It was the sensibility of an elf, known and rightful enemies of the black devils, that came to my aid when this fiend decided to take the opportunistic interregnum created by Pokey and flee. It was that elf who sensibly laid the fatal blow upon this menace, ending her life with a deft and efficient strike. And even then we were resisted from destroying the corpse with fire, as is right for this stain of evil, and instead had to 'negotiate' for its passage to Baldur's Gate intact to claim bounty whereas its severed head would have sufficed. And why?" she asked the gathering crowd, lifting her hand in the air to provoke responses from bystanders.

"Because there are those in this city, this very city, who account the black devils as their friends! There are those in this city, this very city, who believe that drow have the same right to life and justice and protection as we do, as if we were ignorant of their evil and their vices, their desires only to pillage, to plunder, to murder, to rape and to sacrifice your children as offerings to their foul and despicable gods. What rights have they under the sun?! What right to protection should they enjoy from those whose duty is to guard and protect the innocent! Their hands are perpetually covered in blood; their hearts black as their ashen skin; their minds are only set on our destruction, if it were not for the fact they are confined in the darkness beneath our feet, where they rightfully belong!!" her voice exclaimed passionately with vigorous religious fervour, trying to whip up the crowd with her impassioned argument.

"Yet hear the words of the ignorant, 'adventurers' who claim to have the best interests of this city at heart:

'I support Pokey; as for Helm, he can sod off!' Signed, one Exordius Vrass.

And more:

'I find it rich that the followers of the Great Protector, are persecuting one, whom wanted to protect another individual. Is this the Stance of the Church of Helm as a Whole? Or just an individual whom be forgetting the ethics of her god.' Signed, one Kendra.

"I warned you in public and I am criticised in public by the enemies of this city, by the collaborators with the drow, by those who would sooner kiss a black devil's lips than place a sword down its throat. The drow can never be trusted! Those who trust the drow can never be trusted! Are these the kind of people who have the best interests of Baldur's Gate at heart? Can a collaborator and defender of the drow have anything in common with us who know better? Where will the foolishness end and sensibility begin? I am criticised for failing to defend the guilty, but tell my why I should ever lift a finger in their defence in the first place! Are they innocent?! Are their hands clean? Are their hearts pure? Is it the calling of the Vigilant One to come to their aid? To give them succour in their time of need? Can anything good ever come from a drow?!" she pleaded her case as powerfully and eloquently as she could.

"It is on the Watch of the Vigilant One that oblivion comes. We are tasked to stand guard, staring into the darkness, standing and watching the evil that so constantly spurts forth into your lives. Where were the drow when this city was beseiged by the Blight? Yet the Everwatch lost many in its sacred defence. The shed blood of your loved ones, our loved ones, your lost, our lost, all whom perished in those times deserves better than this hogwash! Heed not the lies of the delusional and those who defend the drow! They cannot see into the darkness because they themselves are blind!" she emphasised as her crescendo before advancing further into the final exhortation.

"Citizens of Baldur's Gate, you know what to do to these quarrelsome know-it-all, drow-loving adventurers: spurn them from your alehouses and inns! Turn them away from your shops and your stalls! Scowl at them when they pass you in the street; spit at their feet when they wish you greetings. Let the people of Baldur's Gate cry with united voice: tolerance of drow is treason!"

Hidden: show

Charisma Check: 10+4 = 14

[CrimsonMist]

"The Helmite is right," says an old woman near the back of the crowd, "Those black-skinned fiends don't belong here! Tolerance of drow is treason!"

[lum]

...

*Seems an advertisement with information below*

Link : viewtopic.php?f=55&t=60520

...

[PaulImposteur]

Rasheeq finished nailing the last of the signs to the local notice boards for all to see.

[parchment]Yesterday night, there was an attack along the Southern road towards Beregost,
just south of the Farm lands.

There was a wagon with trade goods such as fabrics and tapestries. The five accompanying the wagon did not survive the attack from the murderer.

The murderer was brought to justice and slain.[/parchment]

[Pimple]

In the very early morning on the 17th of the Fading, the Elven mage Sirion walked down from the upstairs rooms in the Helm and Cloak inn in the Palace District. He held a basket covered with a piece of cloth as he approached Morris the Bartender, that once uncovered revealed an assortment of animal heads cut off from wooden toy figures.

"Someone left this outside lady Charisa Flomeigne's room, and she asked me to bring it to you in case that someone will miss it."

He placed the basket on the bar table and did not wait for a reply before turning to leave.

[kitteninablender]

It appears that early this morning there was a big winner at the Friendly Arms Inn in the gambling hall in the basement.

Sarkhan Dragonspeaker, Dragon Shaman, hit it big on the Slot Machine which pays out 50 to 1 odds on a 10,000 coin bet, netting a Half of a Million Gold Pieces in winnings!

The man ran around the inn several times yelling "I"M RICH" before finally transforming into a Red Dragon next to the Campfire and flying into the woods, no doubt to sleep upon his fortune like the Dragon he so claims to be!!

[Darradarljod]

On the morning of the 18th day of Eleint a man decked in ornate platemail made his way from dawn prayers at the Temple of Torm to the pulpit of the square. He was unhurried as he ascended the stair and presented himself.

It was a Senior Knight of the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary, Ser Anthem Arnemeiger. His voice was even and low echoing off of the walls of the city structures and down the nearby alleys.

"Seven days ago an acolyte of Helm stood where I stand now and addressed you, the men of Baldur's Gate. Have you hearkened to her imperatives?

Have you?

... We are the Kingdoms of Men. Glorious - but young.

Who among us can call to mind the Crown Wars? That bitter struggle of the elven races - through which hardship of war the dark tribe that were to become drow corrupted themselves in the worship of evil gods, and received in themselves the penalty for their sin.

There is a reason the drow are expelled from the light we enjoy, condemned in utter darkness by their own kind for thousands upon thousands of years. See how the elves hate them! It is an enduring hatred. And it is a righteous hatred.

We have our own history with the drow. The raids, the rape, the murder, the kidnappings and dark sacrifices... Our ancestors have blooded the altars of Lolth for generations just as - Torm forbid - they would that our descendants do."

Anthem paused, making the sign of Torm over his body slowly with an armored hand. He surveyed those gathering as he continued.

"There is no fellowship to be had with darkness, when we are sons of the light. Those who propagate friendship with the drow are enemies of man. Enemies of the Kingdoms of Men. Whether by depraved indifference or malevolent interest these reprobates are under the wrath of Torm.

Fear not. The law of the land - your land - protects you and yours by the banishment of all drow ... though, did it not also once forbid the presence of the Zhentarim?

Yes, the Zhentarim - that detestable cult of Bane, glutting themslves on human sacrifices and evil magics behind its thin venier of legitimacy; a "merchant organisation". Rest assured, Bane is nothing but a force of malevolent subjugation ever looking outward to increase its domain and authority.

The Dreadlord of Darkhold himself sits among your sons and daughters in the garden bars of our city. He walks your streets without fear. Is it right?

The law forbids wearing the symbology of Bane openly on the person; O vain law - LAUGHABLE law - when we invite those whose hearts we very well know are faithful to the Dark One!

I call it to question; have our Dukes compromised righteous law for love of mercantile, inviting evil herein? Torm the True compells me to say that they have. Laws that exist to protect the innocent have been put aside and the wolves are among the sheep. For that, I call them to repentance.

Already the tiefling go among us; demon seed, devil spawn. They carry in themselves the inheritance of the Hells and Abyss and perpetuate their corruption among the daughters of men. It is grave error, and the fall of many a righteous bloodline, that we tolerate children of beings that are the bodily manifestation of evil.

Listen closely, and you will hear the next perverted chorus; love of the drow from the lips of men.

Shall also those righteous laws set before me here that proclaim the banishment of all drow and orcs from human lands also be yielded up for the love of gold and the insistance of those who are traitors to the Realms of Men?

Stand firm, men of Baldur's Gate, and be not overcome by an evil age. There is a Loyal Fury in your heart and mine, given to us by the gods of righteous wrath for times such as these!"

Charisma check: 10+11 = 21

Active effects:
Natural Leader
Aura of Courage & Aura of Glory (for a total +9 morale bonus save vs. Fear to listeners)

Hidden: show

At the turn of dusk on the 11th day of Eleint, a heavily armoured female figure ascended the public pulpit in the Eastern Gate square and began to preach a boisterous, energetic and direct sermon regarding the recent drow activity in the region.



"Hearken, citizens of Baldur's Gate and its lawful protectors, soldiers and mercenaries of the Flaming Fist. The word has gone out into the streets, alleys and byways that the drow are once again active in our region. No further proof needs to be delivered than what already was: the accursed drow and Hellstorm pirtate named Israe'anna slaughtered on the road some leagues to the south, as every drow discovered in the light of the sun rightfully should be," she started, pausing for dramatic effect before continuing.

"The Watchers were there, Ever-Vigilant, patrolling the road which is so crucial for southward trade when this drow willingly surrendered at my command," she continued, her booming, militaristic voice issuing forth into the square and ably echoing off the distant walls of the Thayan Enclave. "And yet, and yet, there was one, the halfling merchant named Pokey, who decided to come to the defence of this black devil and parade her rights to life, safety and peace as if she were one of the common denizens of this fair city, or any other fair and civilised habitation," she again boomed out with another dramatic pause.

"It was the sensibility of an elf, known and rightful enemies of the black devils, that came to my aid when this fiend decided to take the opportunistic interregnum created by Pokey and flee. It was that elf who sensibly laid the fatal blow upon this menace, ending her life with a deft and efficient strike. And even then we were resisted from destroying the corpse with fire, as is right for this stain of evil, and instead had to 'negotiate' for its passage to Baldur's Gate intact to claim bounty whereas its severed head would have sufficed. And why?" she asked the gathering crowd, lifting her hand in the air to provoke responses from bystanders.

"Because there are those in this city, this very city, who account the black devils as their friends! There are those in this city, this very city, who believe that drow have the same right to life and justice and protection as we do, as if we were ignorant of their evil and their vices, their desires only to pillage, to plunder, to murder, to rape and to sacrifice your children as offerings to their foul and despicable gods. What rights have they under the sun?! What right to protection should they enjoy from those whose duty is to guard and protect the innocent! Their hands are perpetually covered in blood; their hearts black as their ashen skin; their minds are only set on our destruction, if it were not for the fact they are confined in the darkness beneath our feet, where they rightfully belong!!" her voice exclaimed passionately with vigorous religious fervour, trying to whip up the crowd with her impassioned argument.

"Yet hear the words of the ignorant, 'adventurers' who claim to have the best interests of this city at heart:

'I support Pokey; as for Helm, he can sod off!' Signed, one Exordius Vrass.

And more:

'I find it rich that the followers of the Great Protector, are persecuting one, whom wanted to protect another individual. Is this the Stance of the Church of Helm as a Whole? Or just an individual whom be forgetting the ethics of her god.' Signed, one Kendra.

"I warned you in public and I am criticised in public by the enemies of this city, by the collaborators with the drow, by those who would sooner kiss a black devil's lips than place a sword down its throat. The drow can never be trusted! Those who trust the drow can never be trusted! Are these the kind of people who have the best interests of Baldur's Gate at heart? Can a collaborator and defender of the drow have anything in common with us who know better? Where will the foolishness end and sensibility begin? I am criticised for failing to defend the guilty, but tell my why I should ever lift a finger in their defence in the first place! Are they innocent?! Are their hands clean? Are their hearts pure? Is it the calling of the Vigilant One to come to their aid? To give them succour in their time of need? Can anything good ever come from a drow?!" she pleaded her case as powerfully and eloquently as she could.

"It is on the Watch of the Vigilant One that oblivion comes. We are tasked to stand guard, staring into the darkness, standing and watching the evil that so constantly spurts forth into your lives. Where were the drow when this city was beseiged by the Blight? Yet the Everwatch lost many in its sacred defence. The shed blood of your loved ones, our loved ones, your lost, our lost, all whom perished in those times deserves better than this hogwash! Heed not the lies of the delusional and those who defend the drow! They cannot see into the darkness because they themselves are blind!" she emphasised as her crescendo before advancing further into the final exhortation.

"Citizens of Baldur's Gate, you know what to do to these quarrelsome know-it-all, drow-loving adventurers: spurn them from your alehouses and inns! Turn them away from your shops and your stalls! Scowl at them when they pass you in the street; spit at their feet when they wish you greetings. Let the people of Baldur's Gate cry with united voice: tolerance of drow is treason!"

Charisma Check: 10+4 = 14