DM Rumors of Baldur's Gate

[DM Spartacus]

More news from the Sea.

Recently three ships prepared to sail from Baldur's gate bound for Selune's Bracelet. This in a time of diminishing returns there on the Islands and was said by many to be a bold move.

Some merchants report only a well armed ship full of unpaid adventurers might safely and profitably succeed there currently. Many merchants have looked elsewhere for safer profits.

The three ships The Flounder, The Lucky Diamond, and New Hope, planned to travel together and dodge the many current risks together.

However all did not go well - they were barely out of the river mouth when The Flounder returned. Rumour had it the ship had been sabotaged, holed below the water line and though the repairs needed, were minor, the ship chose not to sail after the other two alone. The Captain called for the authorities demanding action. Rival merchants are suspected.

Some time later at night two days out The Lucky Diamond was lost from sight and never seen again.

New Hope pushed on alone but was attacked by a Pirate ship. Fortunately passengers included an Order from Waterdeep seeking a new beginning on the islands. The Captain did not know where to look as they summoned, Skeletons, and vampires to their aid. There was even a mention of a Lich - but things were confused in a battle of magic which was one sided the Pirate ship went down fast. The Captain was only too glad to put his passengers ashore and return with a profitable cargo.

[DM LeviOsa]

The past day a harrowing incident occurred in the east Farmlands of Baldur's Gate causing the guards to be on high alert! What was seen by the general populace were large rocks on fire falling from the sky, panic had ensued as the boulders fell upon chicken coops and into various farmlands causing a fire which thankfully the nearby good folk of Baldur's Gate all worked together to douse the flames and remove any of the rocks.

The Guards of Baldur's Gate would be seeking any known information to lead to the arrest of the perpetrator/perpetrators responsible. Those who assist may be entitled to a cash reward.

[DM Mimic]

Various news, gossip and whispers continue to circulate from Baldur's Gate.

From the Eastern Gate district, merchants, bankers, and traders make note that many persons formerly in deep debt and near destitution have made surprising financial recoveries. Some attribute their fortune to the efforts of local business operations, although those more diabolically-minded suggest it is the recent fracturing of a fiendish cult within the city that bears responsibility.

From the Palace district, word spreads that the noble lord Wendall Trant has perished, the apparent victim of a beastly mauling. Having no heirs, his estate now goes to the guardianship of a noble custodian as the arrangements of his will are sorted out. Some whisper that the charitable organization he had intended to start has now fallen to the care of one Sunite paladin.

A certain Lord Eugene Denton is overheard making smug and distasteful remarks at Lord Trant's funeral; his standing among the nobility falls even further.

At the Halls of Inner Light, rumors disseminate that one Selunite's desecration of a Malarite altar in the Gibberling Caves provoked a violent reprisal upon her person by two vicious werewolves. The shapechangers snuck into the Halls under their human guises before revealing themselves to the cornered Moonlady and her two cohorts. Ultimately, the Selunite and her allies emerged victorious, slaying one werewolf and forcing the other to flee, but not before the pair grievously wounded several within the temple.

From the Docks district, certain sinister forces are whispered to be working to consolidate power and recoup from recent losses, even as they face continued threats. A string of murders of prominent powerbrokers with fiendish connections begins to make news in the harbor. While the City Watch vow thorough investigations, they have yet to make any headway; the Flaming Fist's Captain Beluarion is noted to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

[DM Wisp]

In the pale moonlight, escorted away from the city walls, a sentencing was performed to a lawbreaker. Hanged until dead, was the verdict. The formal statement said: "Practising Necromancy, and the vile creations those arts bring forth are forbid, and punishable by death".

The public seemed elated to hearing such news, especially with the recent scars of the War, and the tension produced from recent news of undead threats coming to the forefront around the coast, and on the ocean. Some other quiet whispers speak however of the man's last words; He wished for Myrkul to enact a vengeance upon its executioners. What it means, some seem to wonder.

[DM Soulcatcher]

At the beginning of 1354 under the cover of dense fog, a few sea vessels came back from Selune's Bracelet. Those who awaited the fruits of labour and the rumored riches of the islands were disappointed. The ships were filled with refugees. Like wildfire spread the tale of what had befallen the islands in the past tendays.

Survivors spoke of pitch black clouds that had gathered above them and the hurricane which had brought havoc, destruction, and death. From that point onward the stories differed. Some claimed that they had seen the avatar of Talos riding a giant blue dragon, while others argued that the disaster had been sent by Umberlee instead.

What could not be disputed, however, were the results of the storms that raged for days. No longer did the archipelago exist. What was once a collection of islands, had been reduced to a jagged, scattered formation of rocks. Visible for miles, they mar the surface of the sea.

Only two small islands, one inhabited by the noble-adventurer from Baldur's Gate, Lord Bellbottom, and the other by Amnian adventurers, survived the ordeal. Such a grim outcome marked the end of the last year's intense rush for riches, discoveries, and exploration. Devoured by the sea, forever lost were the secrets once hidden on those islands.

As expected, the Court of Baldur's Gate is now filled with rumours and concerns about the effect that this disaster would have on the efforts put into reaping considerable wealth from this marine region of the Sea of Swords and its original promise. Those more cynically inclined mused about changing the name of what was left of the archipelago to the Broken Isles for broken fortunes, lands, homes, and lives. The most commonly repeated opinion was that the islands would undoubtedly lose the geopolitical importance that they had prior. A few merchants mentioned that given the local business landscape, one could perhaps find private investors interested in high-risk ventures in the two remaining islands. But by their estimates, however, an attractive return on investment would now be highly unlikely.

[DM Soulcatcher]

LET IT BE KNOWN IN BALDUR'S GATE AND SURROUNDING LANDS!

A barbarian man known as MSCIWOJ is officially BANISHED from the city of Baldur's Gate and its lands on pain of DEATH. He is to be treated as a criminal by all citizen of this fair city.

Glory to Baldur's Gate!
~Captain Asher of the City Watch~

[DM Rosette]

Official Courier from the palace can be seen heading over to the Radiant Heart Chapterhouse in the farmlands, escorted by two Flaming Fist members, dressed in finery and carrying a sealed parchment. Upon arrival he presents his charge to the men at the gates and promptly returns to the palace. Whoever sent the Courier, did not expect a reply.

[DM Rosette]

Official Courier from the palace can be seen heading over to the Radiant Heart Chapterhouse in the farmlands, escorted by two Flaming Fist members, dressed in finery and carrying a sealed parchment. Upon arrival he presents his charge to the men at the gates and promptly returns to the palace. Whoever sent the Courier, did not expect a reply.

That same courier could be spotted delivering a sealed letter to Watcher Valdore at the Temple of Helm in the Palace District. This time the courier awaits for a response, and returns to the palace promptly.

[DM Soulcatcher]

Early this morning, the town criers are proclaiming that the local temple of Helm denounces priestess Mae yr Machshikhah of Helm. An official statement of the church was posted on bulleting and hanged on the door of the temple. It reads as follows:
[parchment]Citizens of Baldur's Gate,

The Temple of Helm issues a letter of denouncing on priestess known as Mae yr Machshikhah. May the city and its denizens know that this person does not represent the church of Helm within its walls, receives no support from the church and does not even belong to the temple's organised formation. The Temple of Helm publicly denounces her words and standing which are based upon sedition and inciting strife among citizen of Baldur's Gate and beyond. The Temple of Helm views the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate and the Flaming Fist as the lawful authority of the city and as always is pledging support to the rulership of the city.

May the Vigilant One Protect you all.
Watcher Valdore of Helm[/parchment]

[DM Rosette]

The evening after the sermon held by two individuals this past tenday, some of the cats in the docks district started acting strange. Some say two dozen, some say a few, but whether they are laughing or showing concern about the sighting all agree on one thing: The cats seemed unable to control their movements. They walked into walls, crawled, tried climbing unsuccessfully or simply walked in erratic circles. Their shrieks were that of confusion and fear.

[DM Dialectic]

It is rumored that the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate on the 20th of Hammer, 1354 DR made significant changes to the laws of the City and enforcement policy for some areas surrounding the City and its Environs as well as to what can define Baldurian citizenship.

- Practicing Necromancy, eldritch magic, and those Arts that are known as Blood Magic are strictly forbidden, punishable by banishment or death, as determined by judicial ruling. Creation of items or trade of such magic in any form is equally punishable. Any citizens of Baldur's Gate that are found to be consorting with such sinister dark arts users, within or outside of the city, unless officially sanctioned to do so by the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, are committing treason, punishable up to a sentence of death. The consorting provision of this law only applies to individual beings, not organizations or polities. The definition of consorting will be up to the discretion of Baldurian magistrates of the law on a case by case basis. The consorting provision of this law is only for offenses that took place on or after the 20th of Hammer, 1354 DR. The consorting provision may be revised in the future depending on issues with implementation and political status.

----

- The Gray Orc and the Drow Elf, wicked and evil by nature, are hereby banned from the city of Baldur's Gate. Any citizens of Baldur's Gate that are found to be consorting with such creatures, within or outside of the city, unless officially sanctioned to do so by the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, are committing treason, punishable up to a sentence of death. The consorting provision of this law only applies to individual beings, not organizations or polities. The definition of consorting will be up to the discretion of Baldurian magistrates of the law on a case by case basis. The consorting provision of this law is only for offenses that took place on or after the 20th of Hammer, 1354 DR. The consorting provision may be revised in the near future depending on issues with implementation and political status.

----

Citizenship in Baldur's Gate

Any lawfully residing being in Baldur's Gate that has a rented or owned residence in the city or its Environs and that is not a declared subject, citizen, or dignitary of a foreign polity is considered to be a citizen of Baldur's Gate, with the fully associated rights, privileges, and responsibilities of Baldurian citizenship, including the right to vote in Duchal elections.

Justice in Lands Under the Influence of Baldur's Gate — Outside of the City and Environs

The Flaming Fist Mercenary Company announces on the 20th of Hammer 1354 DR that it will be prosecuting any violations of Baldurian law in certain areas outside of Baldur's Gate and its Environs for alleged perpetrators turned into the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company Headquarters in Baldur's Gate by willing adventurers, as long as at least three credible eyewitnesses can speak for the truth of the accusations made and at least one of the eyewitnesses is a citizen of Baldur's Gate. This new enforcement of law outside of the city and its Environs is only for offenses that took place on or after the 20th of Hammer, 1354 DR. This enforcement policy may be revised in the future depending on issues with implementation and political status.

The areas where this proclamation are relevant include regions outside of the city of Baldur's Gate and its Environs under Baldurian influence that are now again semi-frequently patrolled by the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company given political pressure from goodly organizations to do so after the Zhentarim-Baldur's Gate Treaty went into effect as well as newly restored manpower of a rebuilt peacetime Flaming Fist over the past couple of years, including additional Flaming Fist magistrates for criminal processing. These relevant patrolled areas outside of Baldur's Gate and its Environs include the two adjacent regions east of the city up the River Chiontar, the region on the way to Ulgoth's Beard and Ulgoth's Beard itself, Thundar's Ride, The Fields of the Dead, as well as the Trade Way south of Baldur's Gate through the Friendly Arm Inn region, though not inside of the Friendly Arm Inn or on its gate, The Lion's Way, and south to the stream boundary between the lands under the influence of Baldur's Gate and Amn north of Beregost.

——

Bounty of 15,000 gold is set for any drow killed and proof of the deed brought to the Flaming Fist.

///For more:

Subject: THE LAWS OF THE LANDS (IC) ///

[DM Rosette]

In the early morning hours, as the roosters crow and the first beams of light filter through the morning haze while the sun begins its climb over the horizon, the city of Baldur's Gate also begins to show the day's first signs of activity as Merchants stroll from their estates and holdings down into the Wide. Town Criers can be heard ringing their bells throughout the streets once they begin to bustle and murmur with life when the day's trade begins.

"HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Let it be known that the public trial of Ser Anthem Arnemeiger of the Radiant Heart will be held on the evening of Hammer 24, 1354. He is to face charges that include acts of sedition, unlawful execution, and overall besmirchment of the name of the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate!

Let it also be known that Ser Arnemeiger's accomplice, Mae yr Machshikhah, is Wanted for questioning and trial by the Flaming Fist for the crime of sedition as well. Mae is a tall, raven-haired woman of Calishite descent wielding magics divine. Any citizen with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to step forward. A reward of seven thousand gold pieces will be offered for any information leading to Mae's capture, and an offer of eighteen thousand gold pieces will be offered for successful capture and delivery to the Flaming Fist alive."

Most of those passing by would take little or no notice of the announcements, but it didn't seem to dampen the crier's enthusiasm. He would continue ringing his bell and delivering the proclamation throughout the remainder of the day.

[DM Rosette]

((Apologies, I forgot an OOC note for the above post! There will be no actual trial event in game.

[DM Rosette]

In the early morning hours, as the roosters crow and the first beams of light filter through the morning haze while the sun begins its climb over the horizon, the city of Baldur's Gate also begins to show the day's first signs of activity as Merchants stroll from their estates and holdings down into the Wide. Town Criers can be heard ringing their bells throughout the streets once they begin to bustle and murmur with life when the day's trade begins.

"HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Let it be known that the public trial of Ser Anthem Arnemeiger of the Radiant Heart will be held on the evening of Hammer 24, 1354. He is to face charges that include acts of sedition, unlawful execution, and overall besmirchment of the name of the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate!

Let it also be known that Ser Arnemeiger's accomplice, Mae yr Machshikhah, is Wanted for questioning and trial by the Flaming Fist for the crime of sedition as well. Mae is a tall, raven-haired woman of Calishite descent wielding magics divine. Any citizen with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to step forward. A reward of seven thousand gold pieces will be offered for any information leading to Mae's capture, and an offer of eighteen thousand gold pieces will be offered for successful capture and delivery to the Flaming Fist alive."

Most of those passing by would take little or no notice of the announcements, but it didn't seem to dampen the crier's enthusiasm. He would continue ringing his bell and delivering the proclamation throughout the remainder of the day.

On the day after the scheduled trial, the town crier returns to the streets, adding to his daily news the following proclamation:

"HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Let it be known that Ser Anthem Arnemeiger of the Radiant Heart has evaded Ducal justice! He is wanted by The Duchy for the following crimes: Sedition, unlawful execution - now increased to murder and besmirchment of our Grand Dukes. Grand Duke Eltan of the Flaming Fist offers a bounty of ten thousand gold pieces for any information leading to his apprehension, and twenty five thousand gold pieces to any man or woman who bring this vigilante in alive. May gods have mercy on his soul."

[DM Mimic]

Rumors continue to circulate from Baldur's Gate:

From the Palace District, word spreads that Sir Aaron Lyonaler, former Commander of the Order of the Silver Rose, has proclaimed an oath of fealty in open court before Grand Narhelm, Herald of the Dukes. His pledge of loyalty was accompanied by moderate fanfare from the local nobility and gentry in attendance. Lady Charisa Flomeigne was in attendance; her participation seemed to increase interest in the event.

From the Docks District, a pirate captain of moderate infamy by the name of Argus Stormcrest was found slain, apparently from a beast attack. Bitemarks and wounds ravage his body. The Watch redoubles its efforts to stop the murders. Some say Captain Beluarion has made some headway in the investigation, but he and those close to him are tightlipped in an apparent attempt to protect what information and sources they've managed to gather.

From the Eastern Gate District, whispers of a fire that consumed a small row of houses near the Thayan Enclave dominate recent attention. The center and source of the blaze appeared to be the shop of one Cecily Loft, a local alchemist and renowned snake-oil peddler. An elderly couple and a wounded citizen forfeited their lives to the fire before the Watch managed to put it out the blaze. A single body - presumably the alchemist herself - was found in the ruined remains of the shop, charred to the bone.