Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Hello Everyone

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am putting ink to parchment to address a few issues I have heard of lately and want to put to rest. These issues are brought to me by my staff and members of the Bladestone Foundation and Warrior's Rest on multiple occasions of late but never has anyone simply come to me to ask for clarification directly as the Headmaster.

1) The Bladestone Foundation is NOT part of, a subsidiary of, owned by, ruled by, controlled by, or influenced by the Whitewood Vanguard.

Yes, a member of the Vanguard currently owns part of the shares of the Bladestone Foundation and Warrior's Rest and the Vanguard members are often there.
They are there as paying patrons as is a lot of people. We see traffic ((NPC, DM vetted)) from multiple places and people such as the Merchant League and the local farmers and villages as well as Beregost. However, that does not make the Foundation part of, owned by, ruled by, or controlled by those individuals or groups. This is the same silliness that has been rotating through for years in regards to the Foundation for whatever reason. Last year we were supposedly owned or controlled by the Blackroses because some of them stayed in the inn. Before that, because we didn't immediately throw them out, it was the Black Abby or the Zhentarim. Before that, we were supposed to be an extension of Candlekeep and an expanding militant arm of the Library. Prior to that we were a Ducal Military Outpost there to impose Baldurian rule upon the surrounding land.

None of this has been true, clearly, as they are all rather mutually exclusive. Neither is this nonsense true. The Bladestone is controlled by exactly one thing:
The Bladestone.

If another group wishes to pay to use our facilities as are publicly advertised, that is there prerogative. It does not make us "owned" by them simply because another faction visits regularly or has shared membership. That would be like saying because members of the Radiant Heart and Darkhold have had many non-violent conversations and co-habitations of the campfire on the road by Baldur's Gate, they are clearly one in the same. Further, how common is it for people to be members of more than one organization? This does not put one organization under the thumb of the other simply because someone participates in both. The Radiant Heart and Doron Amar have like members in leadership positions. Does this mean the Heart controls Doron Amar or visa versa? Of course not. Neither is this the case here.

2) We are not a militia or a mercenary company. We are a school and an inn and a trade post.

Do we have guards? Yes. We live and exist quite a ((ICly anyways, not map wise)) ways away from anywhere in a dangerous part of the Coast. Do we have patrols in the area? Yes. Part of our goal since establishment has been betterment of local community. To that end we have had several outreaches to local farms and towns such as Blueglade and South Pine ((npc towns, DM vetted and evented)). Our patrols through "no man's land" are to discourage bandit activity and make the area safer for travel for people coming to or from the area. Recently, some of our guards are taking part in helping guard caravans of refugees from the war in the North's hotter combat areas to further south away from the fighting. Are they in our "sphere of influence"? Not typically, but they are innocent people who are caught in a dangerous situation, and our people helping a community at large an in need. In the same way we also brought food into Baldur's Gate during the last year's winter famine, and the city is clearly not in our sphere of influence either.

3) We are not an exclusive club.

We welcome pretty much anyone outside of a few exclusions. All that is required or requested is follow the few very simple rules when in the property, which are clearly posted. All are welcome to come, train, enjoy a drink, whatever per the services listed at the school and inn.

4) We ARE a school, inn, and trade post.

The Foundation in the last few years has worked hard to become a community center for the "no man's land" area it is based on. We have partnered some with the Rocky Creek for a fully staffed trade station for the locals and any travelling merchant. We offer short term and long term classes in combat, combat theory, weaponry, and are working on adding some magics to that list as well. We have a fully staffed inn with couches, a hearth, plenty of seating, and a bardic stage. We have a variety of rooms for rent for long and short term, as well as other facilities that can be rented for events and meetings such as the arena and conference meeting room. We have an expansive menu of food and drink and very few rules.

I hope this puts to rest the majority of questions and rumors about what the Bladestone Foundation and the Warrior's Rest are and are not.

If you have any questions about these sorts of things, bring them to me, either in person or via letter dropped off at the Foundation ((PM)). Please stop accusing my people of being something they are not or telling them the Foundation is "clearly" doing something it isn't.

-Derik Ranloss, Headmaster, Bladestone Foundation

In light of the recent attacks on magic users, let it be known that the Bladestone Foundation will offer a safe haven for magic users on the Tradeway that are uneasy in their travels. Their rights to person and safety shall be respected as long as they obey the few rules and guidelines of the Foundation and Warrior's Rest.

-Derik Ranloss, headmaster.