Dark Depths of Awakened Water

[DM Soulcatcher]

Water Awakes

Throughout the past Tendays, important developments have happened. Though rumours are wild, as they tend to be, there is an undeniable fact about the growing sense of urgency.


Not soon after the matter of the Crimson Spice was laid to rest, an Archon of Justice appeared at the temple of Tyr in Baldur's Gate. Supposedly prompted by the Just God himself to punish an exceedingly vile mortal for the vileness they had committed, she nonetheless chose to remain in the Mortal Realm. The following days have been marked by intense prayer and preaching of Tyr's dogma, teachings and sincere encouragement to right the wrongs, embrace virtue and... Train.

In addition to the Archon's public displays of piety, came a priest of Tyr known as Vhaan de Luca, who's fiery preaching had seen a steadily growing number of the burghers and the poor coming to the Halls of Justice, seeking answers, understanding and even a new path of life. As such, the three temples of the Triad started to grow in those who swear help and duty as Templars and those who offer aid in whatever capacity they can. A smaller number had joined the temples as acolytes.

All three regularly witness the Archon, known as Terragona, The Flame of the Just- her word, her fervour and her advice, at the temple of Tyr. Indeed, many of those who have decided to become templars are speaking with wonder about how the celestial had decided to train them in combat.

* * *

As per the Justice Archon's vague prophecies of a great darkness approaching, Ulgoth's Beard had begun to witness waves of dead fish and other marine life upon its shores. It was not long after that ill-portent that from the waters began erupting sea monsters of various kinds, intent on spreading death and misery. It was after the death of a Paladin of Tyr while, supposedly, fighting a great and terrifying monster that the Archon Terragona had decided to barge in on the Council of Four during their private meeting.

While what exactly was discussed is stuff for rumours, what is clear is that it resulted in the Flaming Fist contingents being sent to reinforce Ulgoth's Beard, evacuate the locals and build fortifications. As far as the military onlookers can say, several companies of the Flaming Fist soldiers have been brought back from the field and stationed back in the city. Baldur's Gate is clearly in preparation to receive some sort of a larger attack than the raids on Ulgoth's Beard.

To add more horror to it all, some ships were reported as having been attacked by sea monsters. Sahuagin, Quelzarn and even an occasional demon. Only two of these raided vessels managed to survive the battle and dock in Baldur's Gate, giving credibility to the ongoing rumours and reports.

* * *

The volunteers and the Shrine of Suffering that take care of former Crimson Spice addicts have noted a slowly progressing decrease in those afflicted with withdrawals or otherwise beneath the poverty line. While the Shrine of Suffering had done an amazing job rescuing and returning a semblance of normal life to many, a lot of those still in the sewers started to vanish. Some of those "vanished" have been seen by the Ilmatari in the city- free from their past troubles and trying to turn over a new leaf-, others still have not been found.

[DM Soulcatcher]

A man known as Ulgoth's Beard ferryman, Nelvin, was found attacking the City Watch Guards in front of the building where the evacuated inhabitants are living, in the Steeps District. The City Watch, supposedly, barely managed to bring the creature down before its magical aura drowned them and all around it.

Of note are the words that Nelvin the Undead has been gurgling out along with filthy water from within his throat:
I partook in the gifts of the sea, then forsook the gods of the depths.
All this I have lost for the smile of a bronze maiden. Head my warning. Always pay tribute to Father.


That event mortified the refugees from Ulgoth's Beard. The funeral service will happen in four days.

[DM Soulcatcher]

Red Tempest

In the past weeks, a notable event came to pass. The Flaming Fist, various adventurers and organisations in the city had come together, after months of planning, to launch an attack at the rumoured site of the demonic breach into the mortal realms. Though reports are varied, it is understood that the rift between dimensions had been, ultimately, closed- bringing an end to the aspirations of the demonic cultists.



It was, however, not followed with a celebration and a sigh of relief. For while a strike group was busy with closing the planar rift, another group was holding ground, side by side, with the Flaming Fist against an incoming horde of fiends from Abyss. The varied adventurers, both the famed one and the new ones, bravely stood their ground in Ulgoth's Beard- a settlement which was fully evacuated tendays prior to this battle. Alas, the Horde of Abyss had overwhelmed the defenders and brought ruination to the once quiet outpost-hamlet. Surprisingly, perhaps, the casualties of the Flaming Fist stationed there were incredibly high, with over 70% soldiers being killed. While some will remark that it was foolish of them to not retreat sooner than that, most in Baldur's Gate will remember it as yet another symbol of bravery and sacrifice that the dedicated defenders of the City had shown.



In the following days, the Gate had been notably more busy with various preparations. Soldiers on the streets became a common sight, the City Watch mostly busying itself with making sure order is kept on the streets. With the history of a recent cases of local rioting due to doomsayers sowing panic amongst the people, public gatherings and speeches on the streets have been effectively outlawed unless made by City magistrates, military officials or other people of equal standing in the Gate.

That is not to say it had gone without its hurdles. The recent string of murders by a hidden individual- or group- in praise of "Cyric-Bhaal" had shaken the Lower City, especially when one of the City Watch Captains had, supposedly, given his men and women free reign in finding any evidence or lead to the one responsible for the cruel killings on the streets. After the Watch had started to wake people up in their homes, in the dead of night, and demand revision of their dwellings under pain of legal punishment, the poorest and the ones who's doors had been brought down by the more zealous watchmen had started to publicly announce their displeasure and distaste with the City Watch and its members.

The Commons, a group of workers not belonging to any of the Guilds that was created as a political front fighting for the rights of the menial workers, had swelled both in numbers and complaints on these deeds. Impassioned by the speeches and talks of their Speaker, half-orc named Rhaeg, they had apparently started to arm themselves and form some sort of a "militia" in hopes to defend themselves from the murderers and anyone who would abuse the people, citing that "The Watch showed they don't care about us, only their results".

The recent discharge, many adding "dishonourable" before the said word, of Captain A.B. Barns, and thepublic assurances on behalf of the City Watch to cease with late-night, district-wide house searches had managed to tame most fires of discontent, and the reminder of the looming fiendish threat that is still in the countryside served as a good refocus of people's priorities once more.

Even so, the Commons appear to stay on their path. Perhaps the rumoured anti-governmental sentiments of their Speaker had finally born fruit.



While there are reports of various persons staking out a road leading to Ulgoth's Beard, the fact is that the Flaming Fist are currently fighting on a wide front around the city. Though it is not readily visible, due to the chaotic nature of demonic warfare and thus the ever-changing battlelines, there appears to be no readily seen end to the warfare. There's no easy telling where and how exactly had the fiends and their evil followers fortified themselves at. Despite none of it reaching the city proper, it already had seasonal merchants of Baldur's Gate and ones dependant on the sea trade had elected to leave the city as quickly as they could, for not only their trade had been ruined for the remainder of this season but their very lives came in danger.

Against that fold come the religious communities. Men and women, inspired by fervent preaching of Vhaan de Luca, the presence of the Archon of Justice known as Terragona, tales of inspiration and victory over the rift, had come together to form an armed force of city defenders. Given recognition and special status for the duration of the conflict, the Templars of Tyr now called "Templars of the Flaming Tears", along with their allies in Ilmater, Torm and Tymora, have marshalled themselves into combat readiness. Many can see their members join on the patrols upon the walls, carry crates of supplies or serve as messengers between the temples and the Flaming Fist.

~The war continues~

((Edit: I forgot to add this yesterday. Consider going to Ulgoth's Beard an OOC action, since the place is supposed to be swarming with all manner of fiends and monsters. You can go there IG to witness the beauty of the map, but please refrain from RPing about seeing it ICly. The DM Team will not respect mentions of having been there IC to the NPCs.))