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

Over a glass of wine within her private quarters within the Everwinter Estate Netanya would ruminate over the events of the pass tenday. She couldn’t help but find herself disgusted and betrayed by the one deity regarded as the creator and protector of the elven race. She never expected or requested his blessings nor did she expect him to insult that which he created and proclaimed to cherish. That any member of a sub-race of exiled and cursed former elves would curry his favor and merit his protection was an abomination. 10,000 years may seem a long time for other races but for elves, particularly Moon elves, the unspeakable brutality inflicted upon Orishaar by Ilythiiri is not easily forgotten. The punishment inflicted upon the dark elves was justified and deserving and naught to be undone for one drow regardless of how fervently it prostituted itself at the foot of Corellon. It was such reprehensible acts that had sewn distrust amongst elves and triggered the Crown Wars and she would naught found herself surprised were another such altercation triggered in response to this abomination.

Curse Corellon Larethian and curse the elves that enable this atrocity

With that Netanya would take one long swig of her wine to assuage her utter disdain.

Good people of Baldur’s Gate! I ask you, hear me!

You have doubtless seen the feckless writings of the Zhentarim and their allies, perhaps splayed about as vapid stationery, or even rained from the firmament like so much waste from the harbor gulls.

They write to cast blame. They have emptied all the inkwells in Darkhold to conjure grievances to put to vellum. They think because it is the Lord’s Alliance that marches upon them, they can condemn this great city. They posit that they now have justification for the atrocities they intend to commit.

Do not be fooled.

Behind all their clever words is a single, resounding message: Because the Zhentarim are not getting their way, they mean to kill us all.

Think on what has actually transpired. The Lords’ Alliance marches upon Darkhold, its host comprised of soldiers from other free cities. Baldur’s Gate withdraws from its treaty with Darkhold. The Gate sends no Fist mercenaries to the front. Any of this city who goes to aid the front does so of their own volition, not on behalf of the Gate. The Dukes send not a single soldier to combat!

And what do the Zhentarim do in response? They could have sent their letters straight to the Dukes. They could have sent their scribings to the Lords' Alliance. Instead, they threaten you, with parchment from the sky.

I ask you - is that fair? Is that just? No, of course not. But what would the Zhentarim and their allies know of justice?

The Zhentarim want you to think that because a treaty is dissolved, the only outcome is war. I say to you: that is a lie! That is the narrative they want you to buy into. But who has really chosen a war with you, the free people of Baldur's Gate, here? Certainly not the good people of this city, not the Dukes, not the Gate! War is their choice, not that of the free descendants of Balduran! War is their choice because Baldurian coin will no longer flow into their coffers. War is their choice because their corrupt whispers will no longer hold sway at court!

For these reasons, they train their eyes upon the good people of this city. And they have made clear that they care not for the masses, the innocents, the good people of this city who have not had any say in the matter. They will lay waste to us all. Their vows of peace and prosperity are shown for what they are - worth less than the wind upon which those empty promises were spoken.

You need only look to their own fetid words to know I speak truth:

AsuraKing wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 4:57 pm [...] will continue to result in Bhaal’s embrace coming for the masses, both innocent and guilty as their souls get sent to Myrkul.

You reap what you sow, and the Lord’s Alliance and those that support them have crafted a terrible tapestry of death and destruction with the Coast as their canvas.

Vigilator Baron Barristan Schulltze

These are the words they have sent to the good people of this city because a trade treaty was severed. These are the threats they have levied at you, the innocent people of Baldur’s Gate, because we no longer submit ourselves to their terms! These words are not directed at the Lord’s Alliance, not at the Dukes, not even those who march upon their precious stronghold in the Sunset Mountains. This 'Vigilator' has the temerity to address his intimidation to all citizens of the coast.

Why?

They mean to unnerve you, to intimidate you, to cow you into submission. That is who they are. They think because they themselves are slaves to even more sinister masters, that you will follow suit. They think because their words are careful and calculated, that you will not be able to see through their deception.

Do not be fooled. Do not submit. Do not waver.

In the face of mad tyrants who have abandoned reason for wanton violence, in the face of war criminals who consort with drow and send dragons to scorch the earth, in the face of murderers who mean to take from you all that you hold dear, we cannot - we shall not - falter!

Let us steel our resolve! Let us stand together with our fellow patriots of this free and fair city and defend our home! Let us make it known to the Zhentarim that we are not afraid of their threats, that we will not kowtow to their whims, and that we will not back down from a fight!

Glory to Baldur’s Gate! Glory to Her People!

Coastal Chronicles - Mirtul 1358 DR Year of the Shadow


Trade flourishes for the House of Cards, who focuses its efforts in the south and avoids the northern and eastern routes threatened by the war. Coastal and river trade increases, albeit amidst the fear this might draw the attention of pirates and raiders.
The Wyvern Hills are plagued by undead and some claim to have seen a dracolich.
Local laws are passed in Triel in order to limit hostile infiltration.
The war between the Lords Alliance and Darkhold starts to show its consequences further away from the walls of Darkhold Vale. While the joined forces of Elturel, Berdusk and Iriaebor lay siege against Darkhold, sparks of conflict start close to their homelands. Drow raiding parties have are spotted attacking the farmlands around Triel and Elturel as well.


Greengrass, Hilltop Ruins - A group of adventurers encounters a fiend in the Hilltop Ruins. The creature orders them to offer their blood, but the group refuses and is attacked by the creature. The group prevails, but a masked figure, clearly the master of the fiend, thanks them for the sacrifice.

Greengrass, Triel - A meeting about the war is held in Triel. Shortly after, the soldiers of the Radiant Heart stationed along the Chiontar relocate to protect the supply lines up north.

Greengrass, Candlekeep - For the first time in ten years, the library fortress opens its doors to a drow visitor. The aforementioned visitor is Aunrae, an oathkeeper to the Seldarine.

1st Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - The leader of the Night Hag Coven responsible for the murders of four children in Ducal Land is killed by a group led by the tiefling Szarilana.

1st Mirtul, Lion's Way - The drow raider Urfindir, who had been executed in Fort Prominence in the months prior, is found tied and eye-less near Candlekeep. The drow is killed by the elf Kethelis and buried in an unnamed grave. The identity of the one who left him there is still unknown, although according to Micar'myzzrym Iliathor it is an half drow woman, against whom the raider allegedly lost on purpose. The Whitewood Vanguard lieutenant also believes that Urfindir was part of a larger scouting force.

2nd Mirtul, Troll Claws - An army of between 500 and 600 dwarves have marched out of Kraak Helzak to take up defensive positions, bottlenecking a small cave.

2nd Mirtul, Darkhold Vale - Propaganda fliers with the symbols of the Zhentarim are dropped on the sieging camp of the Lords Alliance and consequently burned at the order of Lord Dhelt.

2nd Mirtul, Serpent Hills - A long lost recipe of the chef Hill Ramsi is uncovered on the Coast. This is apparently the second of the lot. The previous one was found by Squire Valduil in the remains of an ambushed caravan.

3rd Mirtul, Hluthvar - Many in the settlement and the Lords Alliance camps fall victims of vampires attack. Their lair is stormed by holy warriors, although the vampires are found to be lesser spawns.

4th Mirtul, Fort Prominence - The fort bolsters its defenses.

6th Mirtul, Bridgefort - The Whitewood Vanguard attacks and sacks Bridgefort.

8th Mirtul, Wyvern Hills - A group of adventurers cleans the area from undead and defeats a dracolich.

8th Mirtul, Nashkel - Goods are stolen by some mysterious tricksters, whose tracks are lost in the hills despite the efforts of a group of adventurers. In the nearby mines, a group of people attempted to track a mage who allegedly stole a treasure from a passing wagon.

8th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - Disk Leen, a City Guard, is arrested for plotting against the Guards with an unknown third party, although the charges are dismissed after a hearing. The accuser's identity is still unknown and only referred to as F.

9th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - A True Resurrection ritual is performed by Sister Ashenie on the children that were slain by the Night Hags, after their soul were freed. According to Sister Ashenie, two are back to their families while the rest ascended to Cronia, in Mount Celestia.

11th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - The Captain of the Whitewood Vanguard, Michael Dunn, turns himself in to the Flaming Fist and is charged with violence against his wife. Eyewitnesses claim that he entered the premises without any of his possessions, except for a pillow and a blanket.

12th Mirtul, Cloakwoods - A mysterious corruption spreads across the Cloakwoods and the bodies of water that cross it, causing the animals to raise as undead and those who get in contact with it to become violent.

13th Mirtul, Northern Tradeway - Few days after the Zhentarim retreat from the tunnels near the Trollclaws, forces flying the flags of Darkhold, Sshamat and Uruk Lurra are seen on the surface in the north.

13th Mirtul, Troll Claws - After the Zhentarim forces appear on the surface, the army from Kraak Helzak returns to their city.

13th Mirtul, Rockrun - The last battle between the Company of the Blue Lantern, aided by the forces of Kraak Helzak, and the mindflayers of Mindlord Scpexatl takes place in Rockrun. The forces of General Morex prevail, albeit at a great cost.

14th Mirtul, River Reaching - The bridge west of Hill's Edge is attacked and destroyed by the black dragon Vuthai. The area is filled with a strange black and green mist and those still within it are all left as fragile statues.

15th Mirtul, Cloakwoods - The Blighter, a creature responsible of the corruption spreading in the Cloakwoods, is defeated by Guardian Emmanuel Venandi. This causes the blight to recede, allowing the woods to heal.

15th Mirtul, Northern Tradeway - Between Fort Prominence and Soubar, a trade caravan falls victim of traps set on the road by unknown third parties. A guard is killed and the horses injured. The Blackrose men disarm the trap but two are wounded in the attempt.

15th Mirtul, Bridgefort - The Blackrose forces retake the fort, meeting no resistance. The bodies of Sir Amos Thistle's daughter and son are found among the dead.

15th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - Leaflets signed by Gerhard Van Faust are placed in the Eastern District. Those claim that Carah Evenwood is accused by Solaris Cult of being a practitioner of Eldritch magic and that the temple of Helm raised an inquiry on this. Replies were quickly issued, labeling the claim as false.

18th Mirtul, Lion's Way - The air around the lighthouse is briefly disturbed by a burst of magic, after five people from the Bladestone Foundation accessed it. The five are seen leaving the lighthouse some time after, in bad condition. A perimeter is established immediately after by the guards of the Bladestone Foundation and everyone is advised to stay away from the premises.

20th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - The stolen painting is recovered by House Divine and returned to House Anjinson. The theft is attributed to a consortium of merchant guilds. A trade agreement for the purchase of House Anjinson's silk by House Divine is currently being discussed.

20th Mirtul, Western Heartlands - A number of raids is perpetrated by the forces of the Black Network between Berdusk and Iriaebor. At the same time, a powerful ritual causes a storm of acid and thorns. Miles of farmlands become a corrupted mire of vicious vegetation, while undead and maddened villagers cause further destruction.

21st Mirtul, Lion's Way - All members of the Black Abbey and House Blackrose are banished from Warrior's Rest.

21st Mirtul, Near Triel - A small group of highly specialised Drow attacks the farms around Triel, destroys the farms and a supply caravan, and manages to escape before a real response from the Lords Alliance arrives.

22nd Mirtul, Gullykin - Three bodies are strung on a hollow tree south of Gullykin - a human, an elf, and an air genasi. The human was stitched together, as if she was sliced apart before.

23rd Mirtul, Gullykin - A dark skinned man claims of having seen the murderer and describes her as follows: a woman, young sounding. Relatively short and fit, though wearing clothes that covered her well. Her face covered by a sack, and by her side, a heavy duty crossbow capable of splitting a body in two.

25th Mirtul, near Gullykin - After a communication from a mysterious woman in red, the three deceased people are taken off the tree by Scribe Edelgarde of Candlekeep and Arcanist Sirion Te'dwa and brought to the nearby temple to be raised.

25th Mirtul, Western Heartlands - After the recent attacks against the Lord's Alliance, reputable adventuring groups are being hired in all the cities and towns of the Western Heartlands. Particularly vocal are the Churchs of Chauntea and Tempus.

26th Mirtul, Lion's Way - Necromantic activity is witnessed on the bridge, where a man identified as Sel is hit by a finger of death by two figures who teleport away. Shortly after, a patrol of the Whitewood Vanguard and the Bladestone Foundation witnesses a figure surrounded by animated skeletons who teleports away immediately.

26th Mirtul, Near Beregost - An elven dragonblood of metallic heritage starts nestling in the area.

26th Mirtul, Western Heartlands - Aunrae passes her last trial as oathkeeper and, by the grace of the Seldarine, the ancient curse of her race is removed from her, effectively making her the first known dark elf in thousand of years.

27th Mirtul, Western Heartlands - The Order of the Radiant Heart issues a call to arms against the Zhentarim and their allies from the Underdark. Those who heed it are invited to gather in Triel.

27th Mirtul, Western Heartlands - The Church of Lathander announces the passing of Dawnknight Tobias Goldenshield, Paladin Knight of the Order of the Aster, and his companions. The group fell in the attempt of stopping a Zhentarim attack on the caravans moving between Berdusk and Asbravn.

28th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - A ghost-like figure is seen floating above the city. Shortly after, numerous leaflets signed by Vigilator Barristan Schultze fall from the sky. Their content is an accusation towards the Lord's Alliance, claiming that they started a war of aggression against the Zhentarim and that they are entirely at fault for the casualties of the war.

29th Mirtul, Baldur's Gate - The temple of Ilmater declares its project of building a charity kitchen and welcomes any effort to help in the endeavor.

29th Mirtul, Amn - The Whitewood Vanguard renews its recruiting efforts in Amn.

Author's note: if anything is incorrect or missing, do not hesitate to contact me.

In faith,
Scribe Edelgarde Spades

To those whom it may be of interest:

Let it be known that the Breadflower Bakery is currently seeking the services of Hunters and Herbalists in supplying fresh ingredients. Fair market price will be provided for serviceable cuts and foraging, with a premium being compensated for the following varieties:

• Venison
• Bear-meat
• Feline-meat

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• Bloodwort
• Belbuck Ale (per Bottle)

A sum of 15 crowns per carcass or 150 crowns per bushel or bottle will be paid upon delivery, or as negotiated by supplyer.

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The Breadflower Bakery is also still seeking a series of recipes, purportedly authored by one 'Hill Ramsi'. Any information that leads to their identification would be appreciated and duly compensated, with additional value bestowed to original documents. Should any such recipe be be delivered to the establishment, the Breadflower Bakery shall make all available effort to host a stall for a minimum of one full week at the location and menu-theme of the delivering party's choice; or upon the Tradeway outside Baldur's Gate if there is no other preference. Alternate negotiations are available at seller's request.

Should any news or contact be sought, please address correspondence and deliveries to:
Sayushi Furuki, Breadflower Bakery
The Lucky Coin, Hammer Hall, Greenest.