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

An elf in an elegant red dress entered the Halls earlier in the evening, but would not have been seen leaving it that night. The windows of the Halls changing in their appearance in the later hours of the evening; now coated with a layer of something with a slight white coloring that would perhaps remind some of candle wax. It is thin enough that it still lets light escape and enter the building but to attempt to peer through them, all would be distorted. To those with extremely sharp eyes, the elf can be slipping out into the darkness... as if casing the place and looking for different possible entry points before slipping back into the Halls.

She leaves and disappears out of the city's walls just before dawn.

In the wake of the lengthy cleanup of the Lewd Lyre following the wedding reception the night before, establishment manager Carah Evenwood and her paramour Emrys Kerr are seen departing the estate, bundled and dressed for the winter weather and toting heavy looking satchels and packs. They are later seen to meet up with the massing gathering of mercenaries attached to the Whitewood Vanguard heading south to Nashkel, likely for a long stay.

Subject: DM Rumors of Baldur's Gate

DM Winter wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 6:33 am A moment many expected but dreaded comes as well, as ice floes dot white the Sea of Swords to the west and the River Chiontar by the shores of Baldur’s Gate, the latter growing thick with ice and frost by the hour. Those who make their livelihoods from the waters....

DM Soulcatcher wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 3:54 pm Your character had been given the goods to deliver to other city-states and I've assumed that was done and is going on a regular basis, truth be told. I am due to make a rumour about it, in fact.

Over the course of the months of Uktar and the first Tendays of Nightal, the Chionthar Charter & Seaward Supply Co., directed by the Helf-elven Jon Smythe, in contract with the Merchant's League via Director Gilben Sallynock, has dutifully worked with focused attention to keep the tradeways active above normal, seeking to deliver goods from the League to Lords' Alliance city-states along the Chionthar, developing connections and goodwill among the traders of each, and when and in return, bringing supplies in need to Baldur's Gate, in preparation exactly for what has now come to pass: the severity of winter has descended, and the most profitable tradeway this year, closes for months to come.

In these Tendays of the recent past, Jon Smythe was easily seen in the Harbor District inspiring river-captains and crews with diligence, to bolster his own shipping companies capacity, so that no good presented for trade and delivery, was left on the docks, idle. As those that have livelihoods depended on river and sea sit with hope that enough has been done to keep the Gate out of dire circumstances, not even the keen prescience of the Half-elven Smythe can say to his colleagues if enough was done—some even hear in his remarks in public, that his doubts ever linger, since no official word about stores or progress has been made to the People.

It is also rumored as well, and to Smythe's chagrin, that he was unable to entice more sea-bound vessels to join in the tradeways support network, in the last months—he speaks carefully to not offend, yet, many in the taverns have heard his wry dismay carefully sneaked into his speech about "sea monsters in the waves" and the such. Yet these most recent days, his casual speech in the taverns he frequents, some may over here a certain positivity in his voice, that "...if no ships can sail, then no sea-monsters can lay havoc, either!" But this is just one Half-elven's opinion.

As many of the small vessel companies dock their boats securely in the harbor, as does the CC&SS co. as well, a few last crates are disembarked from the Fleetwood I, the fastest river vessel the Chionithar has ever seen. The Half-elven Smythe, there in person as the few small crates are loaded onto push-wagons, he gently wipes his hand over the wood walls and clears away some dust and so from their labels, Clarity Cellars — Reserve.

The last words out of his mouth, accompanied by foggy air in the chill, are: "At least we may warm ourselves up from the inside! To the Helm & Cloak my goodman! With haste!!!"

With the first frost in the harbour two of the recently returned Deck of Cards fleet began unloading ahead of winter maintenance. Luxury food stocks first, escorted away from the dock by various household guards towards the Palace District. This was followed by a larger consignment of winter foods destined for the market as prices settled after a shortfall driven climb. A portion of these goods were charitably distributed locally. There to join many other small and large efforts to ease the burden.

Some merchants finished for the winter took stock others were observed regrouping at the Cloak and Helm vital produce to hand, but others still had escaped upriver apparently bound to join an effort to bring more winter stocks to the Gate. Details remain sketchy but there are rumours of wagons and river boats moving east and south where rural merchants are risking winter journeys.

The overall picture remains uncertain but daily a few thousand citizens are decidedly hungry, the same again a little underfed. Existing plans will deal with some of this. Additional efforts by others not used to trade have and will eat away at the shortages. The Dukes remain pleased with the current widespread commitment but suggest there is no room for complacency this side of spring. More detailed assessments will be forthcoming.

In other news the luxury garment industry suffered a setback as one House of Cards ship loaded with goods was forced ashore further south and cannot obtain wagons yet due to the food shortage taking priority. Fashion experts will need to be creative over the winter it seems.

Smiling up at the snowfall and catching a flake on her tongue, the High Ranger was seen rosy cheeked and happy, pulling the Archdruid toward the fire outside the Gate. They proceeded to build a large snowman that faced the road. After the final touches, including a knitted red scarf, were placed, the pair stood back and admired their handiwork before moving closer to the fire to visit with those gathered there.

A visit to the city for business is followed by a brief detour for planetouched and teu'tel'quessir, the former holding contemplative prayer at the dock's edge whilst the latter fashioned blades to the soles of boots and took to skating upon thin ice.

A miserable shell of bloodied soldier carried back from the city below lied faceless, a tenday ago. A Knight of the Radiant Heart stops on the way back to the garrison, lifting a wounded Ilmatari from the ground to lead her in hurried steps to reach the fortress. Upon the dead corpse, reaped by an otherwordly savagery, prayers of care bath the lifeless soldier. As silence falls, ties of life undo what death once bound. Cruelty mended, where murder weighted, the sense of peace and relief only remains. The light, blinding, shelters the soldier from the unfairness of a dreadful wrath.

Lullabies still call in the night a powerful anchor in the face of fear, soothing prayers whispered in the name of the losts and forsaken in the Temple of Ilmater.

A silent earth genasi could be seen shoveling snow in front of the Everwinter Estate for several hours. In the end, the walkways and stairs were beautifully spotless and ice free.

Dral is seen making a weekly delivery to Sister Karin hoping his meagre gifts will help the Illmatri Temple with their mission to feed the needy and less fortunate. Setting a large basket down wafting with an earthy smell he delivers the package with a smile and a nod and retreats back to House Vale.

Subject: DM Rumors of Baldur's Gate
Mi-Le, having heard about the ice-bound docks of Baldur's Gate from Genevieve, goes to the harbor to survey the ice. Genevieve has told the monk that without ships coming in, the city is experiencing a shortage of food. So he evaluates whether it might be possible for him to try to melt some of the ice with his command over the body's fire element, and how long it might take.

Some monks develop psychic powers through their monastic training and mental concentration. These powers might include mastery over the body's fire element: what some observers have called "Fiery Fist" or "Blazing Aura." Reflecting on this, Mi-Le considers it a pity that so many monks direct these abilities toward fighting and the pursuit of power. The true goal of the monastic life should be an unshakeable deliverance of mind, true realization of the Way. Psychic powers are a mere by-product of the Way, and should not be used for self-gain or aggrandizement.

But if people are in need, if they are suffering, then it might be appropriate to use psychic powers in service to others. With this in mind, Mi-Le ignites his hands and holds them out over the dock, gauging its effectiveness in melting the ice.

After a few visits to the Ilmatari temple over the past two tendays, a certain brown-robed tiefling has been seen more frequently over the past few days, slinking around the streets of the Gate. A few passersby murmur about having seen her particularly around the southern parts of the east district, frantically looking for something but quick to distance herself when questioned - without a word spoken in return.

Following the unexplained appearance of a trio of crates beside the main tradeway along the Eastern Farmlands, each filled with rotting fish and flesh, an woman of eastern blood laid claim to one. During a discussion with a passing ascetic and a scholar, the woman mentioned looking forwards to using it to cultivate juicy maggots, prior to departing the region.