Rumors & Events of Baldur's Gate

[DaloLorn]

A young redhead, too small and too lightly dressed for the winter cold, but unbothered by it regardless, wandered back into the city after a months-long absence. Listening out in the inns and streets, looking for something, or someone... but she soon found more than she bargained for. A chance encounter in the Elfsong: That was where her idle wanderings first gained a purpose. A group of Neverwintans warned against the dangers of the Crimson Spice, and this, it seems, was all the incentive she needed.

I'm not even local. Mostly. I don't think a couple years count, especially with half of 'em out adventuring. They'd probably sooner toss me out than listen to me. But that doesn't mean I can't try to find something on my own to show 'em, right? So... here I am.

Her inquiries quickly led her, as they do most, to the Shrine of Suffering. Brushing off the notion of going to the knightly orders and the nobility to offer her services, she asked every question she could imagine of Sister Ashenie, before disappearing once again into the bustle of the Lower City. Though she had no concrete residence to offer, no point of contact worth mentioning, she did promise to revisit the Ilmatari temple often, in case there were anything new she should know about, or any tasks she could perform.

Though she still had one or two leads of her own to chase down, first. It would not be long before she found herself, seen or unseen, in the shady depths of the Undercellar...

[selhan]

*Patrons in the Blushing Mermaid would had seen one of the bartenders from the Undecellar speak with Guido in a frustrated manner the previous night.*



"I tell'n ye' I aint the one sell'n no blimey spice. Never even seen the darn thing, hells, I was out in the streets the other day pok'n around trying to find who was."

[sweetlikesplenda]

The Duchal Task Force - General Moruene makes her move

Theme:

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On the dawn of the 27th of Hammer, the gate of the Flaming Fist headquarters opens, after the sound of a marching horn.

A whole platoon of Flaming Fist soldiers heads out towards the Steeps, lead by General Moruene, the assigned leader of the Duchal Task Force against the Crimson Spice. As the General arrives at the docks, the soldiers prepare a podium to use to make an announcement.

"People of Baldur's Gate!

By decree of the Honoured Council of Four, I declare the substance known as the Crimson Spice ILLEGAL! Those who introduce it within the City, produce it, and sell it shall be fined or imprisoned depending on the gravity of their crimes!

More soldiers shall patrol the lower districts of the City, to restore order and fight this spreading plague!

The Grand Dukes have spoken! LONG LIVE BALDUR'S GATE!"

At that, she comes off the podium to organise the troops, to patrol every corner of the lower districts.

The fight against the Spice has officially begun.

During a meeting at the Shrine of Suffering, General Moruene appeared escorting two citizens, one reeling from the effects of the drugs in the City. After some discussion, soon the Flaming Fist patrolling the City had mixed among them several newly admitted Squires and Men-at-Arms who are lead by a Knight of the Order of the Radiant Heart who aid in the efforts to remove the now illegal Crimson Spice.

In addition the Grand Knight Lord Lyonaler can be seen in the City's lower sections. Having seen the effects of those strung out on the Crimson Spice, he looks for any who may be in need of aid. He gently offers to take any he finds to the Shrine for care and recovery. As he spoke in the recent Court session, a donation, in addition to other donations from many of the major Trade Houses and Noble Houses to aid the afflicted, is set aside to aid those recovering. He is seen making his way towards the Temple of Illmater to deliver the coin to purchase food, medicine, clothing, payment for rent and other needs of those who have lost their livelihoods to the drugs.

[DaloLorn]

A pale half-sun elf could be seen wandering across the city one afternoon, putting up flyers. Each of the flyers looks as though it has been engraved somehow, and those familiar with the phenomenon would recognize the use of a pair of arcane mark spells to etch a mage rune and the word "AELA" just beside the signature:

To the mages of Baldur's Gate,

I find myself in need of your aid.

Over the past several months, I have been unable to practice the Art: unable to summon the emotions needed to fuel even a mere cantrip without resorting to the use of scrolls and other magical items. I shan't waste time explaining why, but while I have somewhat recovered from the issue I was facing, I am still weakened and out of practice. While I have been trying to correct this through individual exercises at the Temple of Mystra, I feel that there may be a faster, more effective solution. One in which your participation will be needed.

Before the loss of my powers, I considered myself a skilled duelist, and enjoyed opportunities to show that skill, whether privately or in front of an audience. While I don't expect the outcome to be anyhow in my favor this time, I do think a good set of mage duels might speed up my recovery, and hopefully push me beyond even my previous limits.

To this end, I shall be awaiting anyone willing to challenge me in the dueling chambers of the Temple of Mystra in four days' time, on the 10th of Alturiak. With any luck, the experience will be entertaining for you, and restorative for me. If anyone wishes to observe, instead, I won't stop them... though I don't know how long I'll be able to keep fighting before my strength fails me.

Thank you for your time,

Aela Lathyaan

Duels will start at 02/10/2024 16:30 and last several hours. The exact duration will depend on whether any more critical matters demand Aela's - or my - attention before I log off for the night, but the absolute latest it can end will be 02/10/2024 22:00.

[HRTBRKR]

After nearly a decade away, a halfling returns to the Gate.
She is both surprised and pleased as phantoms and ghosts emerge from the shadows to welcome her back into the soothing, whispering embrace of darkness.
Some are familiar faces while others are shrouded mysterious dark figures, as yet unfamiliar to her. Though she keeps a cold, emotionless exterior, inside she can barely contain her excitement at meeting these new brothers and sisters.
Had she thought they might slay her on sight, for having left in the first place? With some small relief, she knew that was not to be.
Her Family has welcomed her Home.

[xEmeraldx]

The War on Spice closely watched from above and below...
Heavy Fist and Watch patrols brings annoyance and irritation to the dwellers of the Lower City...
Some patrols with bigger coin purses know better and continue turning a blind eye...
Certain flyers with Harper pins might make it's way around the Heaps and Steeps, but once found by the territorial whispering shadows, they would be crumpled if not torn and casted to a nearby sewer grate with spats and seething anger, for such is not welcomed according to the Lower cities unseen Landlords and Kingpins, just as much as they dislike unfamiliar faces appearing nosey within their turf.
As the cities special Task Force and several noble Houses and Temples make their fight against Spice, day to day business continues for the local Guild providing special protection to clients and collecting profits for such protections by manipulating some with charm if not with dangerous intimidations.

One question has been asked around from within wall of Temples, homes and establishments of Baldur's to the depths of the Undercellar. "Why hasn't the Guild handled the drug problem within the Lower City?" Since it appears many don't know how to ask the right questions in the right places, they would often get a vague response. Whispering Rumors however say only those that are clever enough, would get a far different answer even consisting of a name. But since the recent rumors of the task force making some arrests, Answers no longer reply to such questions for now...

[Samy]

Ten days ago, the wagons of a Gur clan rolled along the trade route towards the large harbour city. For a few days they set up camp south of the Wyrm Crossing bridge and travelled to Baldur's Gate during the day to offer their skills and services.



Three days ago they harnessed their Westland ponies again and set off - but not all of them. One gur stayed behind with her wagon and from then on wandered the streets of the surrounding countryside and the alleyways of the town alone. She appeared in the taverns as a bard and performed acrobatic feats on the streets with her small animals. Above all, however, she was always to be seen in groups of dirty street children, to whom she brought more than a little amazement to their dirt-stained faces with her fantastic stories.

[LegendOfLight]

Darkness and a shadow cloaked inside of it would visit the Graveyard.
A more forgotten part of the Gate.
A banner, a Mirror, and a Sigil of Shar would stand apart from the already desecrated graveyard.
Her message to the ones who would find it.

Shar seeks young and old to Serve the truth of the Night.
Embrace her and you will be empowered to serve.
Speak your unbearable pains into a mirror.
Speak your anger, your fear, your everything.
Give your entirety to Her and know the Truth of this world.
We live to serve, and she grants us Her mercy.

[Kevin_Smith]

One of the White Mask theater's couches has mysteriously vanished. Rumor has it that the responsible parties could be Ryke Lighthouse and Piir, as they've been eager to win this couch at a splat ball game for many, many tendays.

[xEmeraldx]

*Whispering rumors might reach those that live unseen within the world of shadows and intrigue...
That a hidden war might be brewing in the underbelly of the city...
It has always been a known rumor that The Guild had always did their business quietly under the cities watchful eye's...
But sometimes they have been rumored to be openly brutal when it came to rivals or its enemies...

An old rival faction dared to enter the walls of Baldurs' and step foot on Guild turf without permission...
The current Landlords have sent groups to deliver a firm message...
Only those that live within the dark ally's, or the bowels of the sewers, or the many rooftops...
would understand that the streets might once again see a War of Shadows...*

As you may not have been there when I gave my earlier speech,
Apparently some 'thieves' had decided to step into our turf thinking they can do as they please.
Of course, we can't have that.... -ever-.
Rumor has it they are from Amn, probably a safe assumption to be 'shadow thieves' trying to further their influence.
We've been down this road before with them--- and well, its clear they need to be reminded of lessons forgotten.
The Gate isn't a soup kitchen for these vultures to come pick away at whatever scraps they can manage.
This will be a message for them to think again before attempting something like this.

And if these Shadow Thieves become resistant, mercy is not to be given. If we must go to war..so be it.
What ever their after must be of great importance. And like she said..no tolerance for these outsiders treading in our turf.

You got it boss!

((DM RP))

[Kevin_Smith]

With the new sailing season afoot, Ryke Lighthouse, a local man and a follower of Valkur, is more often seen at the harbor.

Without taking any payment, he be offering Valkur's blessings to the departing ships, as a healthy alternative to the Umberlant rituals. He is rather out spoken about his faith, claiming that his divine fella Valkur teaches folks to not fear, neither the seas nor the Umberlant threats. As long as comaraderee is strong, the winds will always be favorable, and the northern light will guide the ships safely.

His activity often reminds sailing against the current, as the Umberlee faith runs too strong in the city, as opposed to the younger faith of Valkur. But Ryke never loses hope and keeps doing what he can...

[Flights of Fantasy]

A sun elf new to the city reports a murder to one of the gate guards. The body is found a stone's throw away with an orb of light cast at the scene as if to intentionally draw attention. The body is stripped of flesh down to the bone with a hunk of rotting flesh sitting next to it. A scroll is left on the ground next to the body.

[Lynendar]

Terror in the sewers!

News amongst the lesser fortunate inhabitants of the Gate is spreading in the Undercellar and beyond about a sudden and unprovoked attack by a ravenous, shadowy giant, who’s been spotted lurking in the sewers underneath the city!



The foul creature reportedly disemboweled any humanoid that it could get its hands on, and dragged their remains eastward.
Just as quickly as it appeared, the Nightstalker was gone, its last sighting from an old beggar woman near the area of the sewers underneath Baldur’s Gate Cemetery.



Oddly enough, neither the monster nor its gruesome bounty were spotted either at the cemetery itself, or anywhere else on the surface of the city, leaving question of whether the rumors spread by the sewer-dwellers are to be believed at all.

[DM Spartacus]

A patrol of Flaming Fist were rumoured to have been augmented by two volunteers and three extra staff from the previous shift on overtime and marching with a certain purpose into the sewers.

These fearsome patrollers were rumoured to have walked the length of a sewer still under repair and not not yet declared safe. They identified a number of violations and reported some rats in the area. They chose not to engage them but to make a rough count to build a picture of the potential risks.

They dragged off the remains of three previously destroyed rats.

They returned through the Undercellar where they reported their finding to anyone who would believe them. One of the volunteers was reported to have bought an old woman there a warming spiced drink.

[Garnet]

An agent of "The Guild" is dispatched into the depths of the sewers to investigate why there was Fists tromping through the underground of the Gate. She glides through the depths with calculated grace, remaining unseen amongst the locals until she felt the time was right.

Later that night whispers amongst the underground gang spread that a 'small shadow' came out of nowhere executing one of their thugs in the blink of an eye while taking the other hostage for questioning. The 'survivor' was later found tied up and babbling incoherently while slumped in his partners blood. His mind had been broken both by what he had seen, as well as the magic that had infiltrated his head.

It was clear that the man had been left alive with a purpose... To be a stark reminder that the Thieves Guild was always watching every move in their territory.