Rumors & Events of Baldur's Gate

[stevebarracuda]

The Mirari have been behaving oddly in the east district of the Gate recently.

Rumor amongst the day sellers of the east district open plaza is that something went terribly wrong in their group...for a time.

But now, the regular characters seem to be active again in the square, performing street magic and illusions to entertain, dazzle and confound those of dull perception...all to the amusement of the commonfolk.

A few of the day traders are seen talking specifically with the Mirari known as Aetius Cento, those traders whom deal in wondrous items...it seems that this Mirari has much to say on essences related to the Plane of Shadow and the mysteries of perception...

...many of the traders squint their eyes at him, wondering what he is all about in this.

The Mirari are known for their secrets, even though they dance and perform for the commonfolk in pleasure and circumstance, as if they are one and the same.

[stevebarracuda]

In the East District of Baldur's Gate, the known arcanist Aetius Cento of the Mirari has attracted some additional attention from the common folk and onlooker to his recent street performances.

A particular act has the arcanist deftly flipping two Netherese coins—one with a solid white side and one with a solid black side—over the knuckles of both hands, simultaneously, while telling the tale of the split between realities: one of the prime white...and one of the shadowy black.

The climax of the act is what has so many talking: the Mirari takes the black-sided Netherese coin and flips it into the air, then chanting a select group of words of power, focuses upon the coin as it falls back towards the cobblestones.

In an instant, the coin bursts with energy, and a shadowy-cloud envelops the Mirari, erasing him from the square in a mysterious way...seconds later, the Mirari appears again in the open plaza where he is so often performing his street magic...but this time, he reappears with a humanoid-shadow-form in tow, to the fright of many observing the show.

Aetius waits for the initial fear effect to reach a high point, then blows air from his lips upon the shadow with great exaggeration, and the thing disappates....to great applause by those who've been temporarily frozen in place.

The Mirari arcanist then goes on to complete the act and the tale by describing the realm that exists parallel to the known Baldurs Gate, but this realm made of shadow and without color.

Many in the crowd dismiss the Mirari's claims as another great illusion or trick of the mind, known to be used often in the general performances of the Mirari.

But others stand idle and wonder, if indeed, this Mirari has traveled—and does continue to travel—to this plane of shadow...

[Valefort]

The Whistling Wanderess is once again anchored in Baldur's Gate harbour, it is apparent that most reparations were hastily made though and that the ship is far from what it was a few tendays ago.

[Duster47]

Citizens, adventurers and members of various Orders in and around Baldur's Gate may or may not be talking about a red dragon buzzing the city. Then shortly afterward talking about a skirmish between factions around the Gate and goblin-creatures in the Thundars Ride.

Some citizens were maybe more put-off about the dragon reports which caused a premature ending to the White Mask Theater's Open Stage Night.

[Nomster]

Town criers and various pamphlets with news can be heard and seen in Baldur's Gate with the following:

On the 25th Elesias, the White Mask Theater held an Open Stage Night with Mistakes as a theme. Hostess for the night was Assistant Director Telia Navra. The hostess started with introduction of how mistakes can also have a positive outcome referring to Llira, Our Lady of Joy, urging the audience to find joy in all things in life. Telia Navra then recited a short humorous rhyme titled Pickling Pixies. Alison Schlump, a former Director of the Theater, followed with a mute sketch of all the things that can go wrong for a stage performer.

The winner of the previous Open Stage Night, Nerys skald of the Greyfox tribe, sang a sad piece titled Shaman's Song of how her tribe had nearly been destroyed by the black orcs, the tribe paying gravely for the mistakes they made. Za'than Za'mal was next on stage, with a tale from his own life experiences. Unfortunately, the Open Stage Night was put to a short end due to matters out of the Theater's hands, namely a wyrm flying over the city. There is no word yet when the next Open Stage Night will be held, the Theater may focus their efforts on a new play in the works.

[Nomster]

People of the Gate who attended the latest Open Stage Night in the Theater whisper...

A Scrivener of Doom was sighted inside the White Mask Theater, bearing the symbols of Jergal and a thick tome. The scrivener was soon ushered outside by the Director as he refused to put away a staff, closely resembling a scythe which could be used as a weapon. The Scrivener uttered he meant no harm and was only there to record any deaths that may or may not happen during the performance, which made the audience uneasy.

As the performance started, people's minds were taken off the odd sight of a Scrivener and fully focused on the stage. A masked man by the name of Za'than Za'mal could be seen giving the Director a donation to the Theater at the beginning of the performance. Later when the man went up to the stage, he stated he was openly a warlock with infernal powers. The audience stared at the man, not quite believing what they had just heard. The warlock's tale was interrupted by the dragon flying past the city and people had other things on their mind at the moment than to worry about these two odd things. But would their thoughts turn back to them later...? Some whisper its signs of ill tidings and best prepare for when it comes...

[LordLP]

Arcon Anatox was seen dragging an unconscious 'Pain' to the Fists to answer for being a Warlock and casting foul magic at the campfire. No one is sure if anything became of it.

[SK2]

Rumors say that last night on the graveyard was created something like a strange ritual, magic was pouring over the edge.

[RedDawgRavenWolf]

Rumor has it Katarina was seen speaking with a blond haired woman and man in a green cloak. Shortly after she could be found methodically going from building to building searching.

[Valefort]

A little convoy makes it to one of Baldur's Gate harbour's shipyards, transporting a large tree trunk. Reparations are finished on the Whistling Wanderess, the replacement of the main mast apparently being the last one.

A red-haired half-elf that some would recognize as the capitain Mealir Ostirel was seen recruiting some sea worthy sailors along the docks.

[DM Novus]

A ship has moored into the harbor of Baldur's Gate. It flies the flag of Athkatla.

Shortly after its arrival a number of coaches bearing the Ducal seal arrive. A small group of finely dressed merchants off board...their procession including two armed guards bearing a House insignia upon decorated shields (roll Lore and provide reason via PM why you'd have knowledge of Athkatla Houses, for chance to identify).

The merchant procession is then taken away by the coaches toward the Palace District. The coaches do not reach the Palace itself, but stop at the residence of Duke Liia Jannath.

After some hours inside the Duke's residence, the procession of merchants and their guards again boards the coaches and is taken to a mansion in the Palace District known to accommodate dignitaries, from time to time.

Later, an emissary is seen leaving Duke Liia's residence, bearing towards the Harbor District, in the area where registered ships to the Gate are often found...

[Nomster]

The White Mask Theater is rumoured to be preparing for their appearances during The Candlekeep Knowledge Fair this weekend where they will seek new troupe members for an upcoming play. Apparently they will consider just about anyone.

At the same time, the performers are planning a large Highharvesttide celebration to take place the weekend after. Faithful to the nature are said to be involved. The festival will incorporate blessings of the harvest and nature activities as well as entertainment for the general masses such as contests and music along with a large feast - of course.

Anyone who is interested in getting involved is told to ask for Telia Navra, the Assistant Director at the Theater.



// Just a heads up that a major celebration is planned, incorporating Silvanus and Mielikki in the Highhharvesttide celebration. Any other (tolerated) faiths are welcome to get in touch and join.

Time is subject to change but so far we are leaning towards - Saturday 28th Sept 3pm EDT - 7pm GMT

[Hoihe]

Rumours spread that a tall man in black, with a black hat adorned with a red trim, and a short moon elf with white hair wearing mithral chains caused a loud ruckus in the palace district, calling people to a magic show. The show consisted of the man turning the moon elf into a giant, then trying to grow whiskers on her, but instead compulsed everyone watching and those on "stage" to laugh with a spell. Feeling ashamed, he walked into the crowd after juggling with a piece of stone, casting a spell on it and dropping it. As he entered the crowd, he flashed and reappeared on stage, grumbling that he can't leave until he wraps up with a good finale, so he began weaving around the elf, who disappeared as shadows drew from where she stood, forming a shield around him. Then, the shadows went another way, and near a font, a small water elemental formed. The mgae claimed he turned the elf into a water elemental using shadows, then turned it back into the elf before leaving.

This show was rather spotaneous, and they seemed to try to draw attention for a small show.

[DM Novus]

Recently, it the Palace District, Lady Adora is heard talking to some friends about a very talkative, mustached man and some of his friends, keenly interested in the quality of clothing worn by the supposed dignitaries, currently lodged in the Ducal guest mansion. She lingers on about his mustache for some time, before she shrieks aloud in the street, saying her jewelry has been stolen...again...!

Later, a merchant, or noble, or merchant-noble is heard talking to others whether they too saw a woman turn into a cat. He says many a strange thing has been going on near the Ducal guest mansion as of late, and goes on to mention how the district is becoming home to rogue magicians that do not know their proper place in the Gate, it seems, since performing in public and near the Palace without a license, while everyone knows the East District is where performers trade their songs, openly. Especially those songsmiths that own felines.

[arakes99]

As fires raged and warning bells struck on the cool autumn afternoon in the northern farmlands adventurers assembled to aid the Fist as they could. The Fist officer on the scene was dumbstruck from the sheer magnitude of the dragon that set the settlement ablaze that day. This left the adventurers who numbered perhaps a dozen to take the lead and spread out to subdue the flames and search for survivors. Unfortunately by this time there were none left alive in the smoking wastes.

Once the situation was calmed, talk of hunting down the dragon began at first as murmurs between those present and later as a unanimous cry by all assembled. A runner was sent and the adventurers were sent to speak with General Scar of the Flaming Fist personally. It seems the dragon is an ancient creature responsible for many attacks in the Western Heartlands in the past and that a group known as the Hellriders from the north had agreed to hunt the ancient scourge for the Fist.

Of coarse, should that effort fail and further attacks be made someone will have to deal with this mysterious dragon before the lands surrounding the Gate are left in naught but ash and cinders.