Rumors & Events of Baldur's Gate

[niapet]

After two attempts on her life the silver haired elf, Elspeth Silverleaf can often be seen at the Elfsong tavern and in the eastern-farmlands. She was once known for her entertaining, lively or moving music but now rarely plays her lute save for the occasion sorrowful lament.

The elf is often seen taking small bits of a dried silken root from a silver tin and placing it in her mouth before falling into a deep peaceful sleep under a tree trying to forget her troubles and the pain of being betrayed by a once close friend.

[Quiltezt]

Two druids wandered to the southern farmlands. After a brief conversation they have burnt the remains of small creatures in sacred flames and buried the ashes.

[scriver]

A great battle was fought in the Hilltop Ruins south of Baldur's Gate. The kobolds infesting it had somehow, presumably through their dark magic and even darker gods, named a champion far beyond the capabilities of their average kin who they no doubt intended to lead their evil people in harrying and ravaging the poor people on the countryside. Blessed by dark deities as he were, this Champion stood impervious to all assault by the adventurers who opposed him, not ceding even a single drop of blood even as they cut into his flesh, not growing even the tiniest bit fatigued even as the battle carried on through the ruined halls. Unyielding and unbroken, the Champion fought proudly, confident and assertive in his unholy strength.



It was Boleslaus Branimir, Scion of Siamorphe, who devised the plan seal this kobold inside one of the ruined chambers. While the kobold could not be defeated in combat, he could still be tricked, and so Branimir led the fight through the corridors and into a large, empty room. He struck kobold champion hard enough to stun it, then beat a hasty retreat back out through the door, which he and fellow adventurer Grim Halvordson closed shut behind him, securing the only entrance and sealing the kobold inside. The day had been saved, at least for now, and all that remained was to warn future adventurers to not let this infernal horror back out, lest it would surely be their doom.




((Ran into a bugged, undamageable kobold yesterday, so I had to resort to something extra. It seemed worthy enough to catalogue. Apologies to Grim Halvordson for not managing to grab a screenshot with him in it ))

[Tiberis79]

Linela approaches the fist covered in rotten bits if -something-. She wipes her face, weary and slick with sweat, grasping the shoulder of the closest shoulder she sees.

"Ghouls near the farmlands!" She spits out, "I cleared some 10 or so of them, but... I counted three slain men near the shack east of the wyrm's crossing. There may be more ghouls, and whatever brought them there."



((This event took place a day ago. I am moving it from where I improperly placed it in another forum))

[Fury_US]

Rumor buzzes through the palace district after seeing the dark clad members of the Northern Watch enter the palace- some rumors were enthusiastic, some were insulting, but for the most part they all agree- the Northern Watch and it's members swore Oaths of Fealty to the City and the Dukes of Baldur's Gate.

It seems that Michael Dunn was just the sort of scruffy scoundrel the court's ladies were imagining... he'd gathered quite the twittering fan club by the time they were dismissed.

No doubt, underground fan art and fanfic will be coming soon...

[samb123]

Shortly after the rumors about a tiefling being hanged for attempting to sacrifice a small family spread around the taverns of the city, hand-written notes appear tacked up near the doors of the taverns. These notes seem to have been placed around early morning, and rumor is that a hooded figure was spotted near each tavern sometime in the early morning hours. This figure went from one tavern to the next, until every taverns of the Gate had such a note outside their respective doors.

Greetings, denizens of the Gate!

It has come to my attention that, in light of recent events, some might find reasons to blame the greater assortment of tieflings for the actions of one (or a few) malcontents. As with any other race, it is incumbent for us to remember that the actions of the few are not representative of the actions of the many. Humans are, after all, of the largest number of the intelligent races, and a few humans have committed great atrocities across the Sword Coast at various time. It could even be argued that, as a whole, humans have committed more crimes against each other and the other races. But we have never, as denizens of the Sword Coast, blamed humans as a whole for the actions of these criminals, have we?
I appeal to your sense of fairness and justice. Let us never judge tieflings, or members of any other intelligent race, of the crimes of a few of their number. Heritage is not something an individual can be blamed for, is it? Humans did not choose to be born human, and tieflings did not choose to be born as tieflings. I implore you to consider, in the name of egalitarianism, to set aside any prejudices you may have.

The only identifying mark is a stamped wax seal, at the bottom of each hand-written note.

[artemitavik]

An odd sight is seen near the townhouses across the street from the Blade and Stars tonight.

Four people appear in a flash of light, all heavily armed and armored, though weapons are soon peacefully stowed. A tall man in copper-scale covered chainmail, a shorter man in robes, and two red headed women in chain. All show signs of battle, covered in things like blood splatters and whatnot in varying degrees.

The robed man was carrying a fifth, a shirtless, shoeless man with dark hair and a beard that had clearly been tortured or some other heinous act. The unconscious man was handed to the taller man in copper-colored armor and the group headed north through the market square towards the Palace District.

They made no hide of their travels and were seen by many as they entered the Halls of Light.

They did not exit as a group but eventually started to trickle out individually after some hours. Well, most of them.

[Mausman]

A young man, looked out of window of rented room in the Blade and Stars as he sipped from a goblet, keenly studying the event as far as his visibility allowed him

[Bubbajoe]

A half-orc covered in hides and with a large crossbow slung over his back is seen nailing up notes.....really, anywhere he can, in the farmlands outside Baldurs gate.

The wording varies, but is always approximately:

"Bandits tried to rob Groll twice in graveyard while Groll shot rotters. Groll needs people to hunt bandits and bring to guards.

Groll looks like Orc with hides and gear-bow. Find Groll."

[CommanderKrieg]

Nezkreal Sezifear took up the podium surrounded by her fellow acolytes, knights, and arcanists. Nearly the entirety of the Church of Mystra surrounded the platform in the east gate district as the final moments of the day set with the sun.

The Mystran Knight stood at full posture looking over the citizens that gathered.

“Citizens of Baldur’s Gate.” The knight looked between the people, and to her speech layed out in front of her. A small pause, she picked up the speech and shredded it up.

“Today I speak to you as the Senior Knight of the Temple of Mystra, a citizen of this city, and a friend.”

“In the past months, the city has endured: fear, panic, and the feeling of abandonment by its churches. Our streets are filled with the desperate who have vandalized the churches in an act to gain notice. Our dreams are filled with nightmares, and the night has become a battle ground for those suffer the endless images.” The Knight stood there, placing her hands on the stone balcony of the platform.

“We will not fear the Night!” She stated clearly, and pointedly.

“As I speak, the halls of Mystra are warding local temples, and vulnerable places around the city against these dreams, so that its citizens may have a place to rest where they are freed from these dreams.. This is just one step, in a long line of initiative needed at this time. We cannot wait to be saved. We must not give in to the temptation to be passive.”

“We will not fear the Night.. Despite everything that will be said to weaken us against the towering odds that stand before us like a mountain kissing vertigo into your grip and daring us to look down. Do not give in to the fear that presses you, the words of monsters coaxing you into the belief that you are paralyzed. Now is the time to move, and in moving know that the Temple of Mystra is with you.”

“I’ve stood with this city upon towering impossibilities, where massive monsters tore down our walls with a single blow. I know what this city is capable of; each of us standing here today is a testament to that strength. We have stood in the face of overwhelming odds and breathed the words “You will go no further”. We stand here today pressed with the same urgency, and the chance to avoid the cost. Do not give into the fear; know that the Mystra is with you as she was then.”

“My friends, we will not fear the night. The trading of hatred for understanding and action is a battle each us can fight. Our weapons are our unacceptance to be passive; armed with the words: The least we can do is everything.”
“I ask you to join us. Watch over your neighbors and friends. Bring information to your temples so that we may help. Each of us will stand as a candle in the dark places; where darkness would try to hide. As many, we give pause to the night… As one, our light will leave scars on the sun.”

“Mystra bless each of us in our pursuit of an end to this.” The knight, looked over the group stepping down from the podium and making her way back to the church.

[The Harpers]

A note is left on the message board by the Elfsong Tavern

"More wolves got their fangs. More eyes are watching"

[scriver]

A half-elf can be seen making rounds around the docks and taverns frequented by sailors, asking for information and rumours about the strange fog and the ship and crew that collected on the sea monster bounties recently put out by the Flaming Fist. He seems to be looking for a place to take hire.

[Alurianna]

Some may or may not have heard of the storm, others report they had thought it had sunk. Those that have heard anything say that Captain Vala Reyer is the captain can be contacted via The Reyer Clinic (East Gate) or is often seen around the East Gate and docks.

// see PM

[Arn]

A notice is posted in the East Gate District of Baldur's Gate.

For Those Affected by Recent Dreams

Monastic mind training is being offered at the Old Order meditation hall for those dealing with the recent supernatural dreams. Please note that this training generally involves years of practice, and immediate results should not be expected. Nonetheless, those who wish to learn are always welcome.

Go in peace.

-Mi-Le

[Arn]

In the late afternoon, Mi-Le, a bespectacled monk of the Old Order, takes a seat on the steps leading up the platform in the East Gate District. He sits quietly for a while, watching people pass by, noticing those who stop to pay attention, and exchanging pleasantries with those who greet him.

As the sun begins to set, the monk publicly addresses those who are present. His voice is gentle but clear, full of tranquil confidence.

"By now, many of you have perhaps heard of last month's graffiti on the temples: 'The Gods Have Failed.' Some of you who have experienced suffering recently might even agree with the message.

"You might know that as a monk of the Old Order, I do not worship the gods. The Old Order did worship a god once, in ancient times. But that god died long long ago, and so we had to fend for ourselves. So perhaps more than anyone, a monk of the Old Order can understand the sentiment behind the message 'The Gods Have Failed.' Sometimes it seems that way, doesn't it?

"So what's the alternative? If the gods have failed, what do we do? Well, my monastery teaches self-reliance. Ultimately, we are responsible for ourselves. No one can purify us or corrupt us except ourselves, our own choices. We, and we alone, determine what we allow to influence us. We can choose what we surround ourselves with, what we pay attention to and value. If one friend encourages us to do good deeds while another friend tells us to be wicked, only we can decide who we will listen to. So do we surround ourselves with good friends and positive influences? Or will we spend time with people who encourage our bad habits?

"My teacher once said that admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, and comrades, he can be expected to develop and pursue the Way. So we must choose our friends wisely. With this in mind, I would encourage us all to take another look at the gods. As a monk of the Old Order, I cannot say that the gods are perfect and eternal; surely they are not. But a self-reliant person who chooses his influences wisely should consider the value of the gods. Because the gods can be our greatest teachers, our best friends, the finest examples of the values which we hold dear.

"Those of you who suffer daily, who wonder when your trials will end, look to Ilmater and His followers for an example of unyielding resilience. In Ilmater's temple you will find those who will share your burdens. Those who seek the strength to protect family and friends, look to Helm and His followers for the discipline and resolve you will need to stand against the cruelties of the world. Those who are heartbroken, seek Sune and learn about true selfless love from Her followers. Those who have had enough of the violence and hatred in the world, cast aside your weapons and seek Eldath in the silence of a peaceful glade.

"Think back to the people who have been true friends do you. You might find that a true friend does not try to stoke your fears and resentment. A true friend encourages your noble qualities and helps you become a better person.

"I offer these words for your contemplation. Go in peace, friends."

The monk stands and bows to anyone who is listening. He then departs quietly.

((Diplomacy check: 35 + 6 = 41))