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

Ilmater's Helping Hand

"Today is the first day of what is left of your life... so live it well!"

Ilmatari Saying

---

Withdrawn from the heart of the investigation that still try to uncover the addictive plague covering Baldur's Gate as whole, The Shrine of the Suffering has been diligently conducting a holistic approach of care, healing, and support diffused through the veins of the city. Quiet, yet determined in their endeavors, their call for donation have been answered with more hope and care than what was hoped for. While the city agonizes and experiences withdrawal, the Ilmatari conduct approaches of the population uder the lead of the Revered Mother Juna, with all the compassion that the Faith compells to observe.

Sister Ashenie has been often seen within the city, rarely leaving unless dire herbal need had to arise. Under the cover of the nights, while desperate women and men sell love for pitiful coins, the sister approaches quietly the suffering population. There is never a dull moment, for each night sees a new pledge of care offered within the dark alleys of the city. Quiet and withdrawn, the sister seems careful to not disturb the dark transaction occuring under the mantle of darkness. While no plea of help are ignored, she is often seen among women, pregnant women, families and children, offering pediatric and obstetric care within the heart of the city. "When you cannot come to the shrine, the shrine has to come to you..." is a saying often heard as she endeavors.

Children remaining a focus of the Faith, some are seen taken away, with the approval of their parents, from the places where drugs and crime have taken hold, to protect innocent eyes from the downfall misery induces. The objectives seem clear : allow trust to bloom where misery and suffering have taken hold. A path towards healing, care and redemption is always proposed, and never imposed. "No child should be suffering from this situation..." is she heard to say when she is questioned about her endeavors. Pregnancies, and infants, recieve specific care and blessings, while midwife services are freely offered, without charges. With each night, the endeavor is renewed.

In Seatower, the imposing prison also sees the visit of Ilmatari. After the formal authorization delivered by General Moruene, similar care are offered to the prisonners with each tenday. While Ilmatari do not interfere with the duties of the guards, they offer healing and to restore the dignity of the imprisoned people. In particular, those experiences withdrawal are offered a path of mending and detoxification, with proposed means to return to activity once their condemation would cease. Sister Ashenie is once more seen among the imprisoned women with infants, and pregnant, offering support for children's health and care during early development, and assistance for mothers during pregnancy and childbirth.

As the dark mantle of suffering covers the city, there seems to be still hope to take, and hang onto, even when despair and sadness claim souls in the mists of misery.

"Do not despair..."

Rumors from the Elfsong

A trade merchant namely Levana Tramodu and other patrons of the Elfsong Tavern had seen a large man name Wulfrik and a elven woman known as Vanira, invite the scoundrel of a bartender known as Sel from Roaringshore upstairs to one of the many private rooms of the Elfsong Tavern. Additionally later on, another man known as Aiden Vega who had the unsure expression of what he encountered that day in the Elfsong Tavern. Patrons would had seen him walk down the stairs with a distraught and concerned expression upon his face. A man with an uncomfortable poster? Or a man with a devious grin? It might be hard to tell under the dim blue lighting of the Elfsong Tavern. However after a particular scoundrel was leaving, it was heard he muttered the words..

"The Blushing Elfsong was a pie throwing experience!"

*Some days after this rumor, around Baldur's Gate a poem spread slowly across the streets. Flyers of this poem hang on every board.*

In a tavern dim, 'neath ElfSong's sway,
Where shadows danced in twilight's play,
A tale unfolded, veiled and sly,
Beneath the moon's soft, watchful eye.

There sat the Elf, fair and serene,
A lady of grace, in shadows keen,
With eyes like Stars in Winter's night,
And Wisdom's cloak, a Radiant Light.

Beside her, the Hound, steadfast and true,
With Heart of gold, and eye steel blue,
His loyalty bound to her every breath,
Protector, guardian, against all death.

But amidst the whispers, dark and dire,
There lurked a scoundrel, fueled by ire,
A pirate bold, with schemes untold,
His envy burning, his heart grown cold.

With tales spun of Lust and Betrayal's art,
He sought to tear their honor apart,
To tarnish her name, to sow deceit,
In the hearts of those who dare to meet.

Yet the Elf's honor, a Beacon bright,
Could not be dimmed by the Pirate's blight,
For truth prevailed in the hallowed hall,
And Hound's embrace stood firm and tall.

So let the Pirate's lies be scattered to dust,
For Love's sweet song shall conquer lust.
A Beacon of hope in the darkest night,
Guiding hearts to their destiny's light.

Supposedly, many dead animals are found in the surroundings of (now ruined) Syriad's Rest, a village raided by a band of Marauders a few days ago.

The dead carcasses show no signs of any wounds or disease.

The parentless ones...
Or those whom parents were highly addicted...
Would find themselves met with various Guild members within the Lower City of Baldur's...
And act of kindness...?
A means to protect those unable to protect themselves...?
Whatever the reason maybe...
Those children would be delivered to the Temple of Ilmater...
Without meeting any of those that serves...
The One Who Endures ...


DM Approved

*An old druid was seen around the outskirts of the Baldur's Gate city in the coming days .

Sane took it upon himself to plant a few trees and strawberries wherever the folks of the city did not try to shoo him away .
Placing a few stakes aside each planted to hopefully keep them from being trampled , only a few are done this way as the old druid senses his efforts may be in vain and tiredness catches him .

After spending a bit more time to feel the soil and conditions around the area , he turns to look for Wulfrik*

*Rose happens by a little after Sane and sings the plants a song and to inspire them strength and growth sings*”Bees bees spreading pollen to the trees! Bees bees sting you in the knees! Bees bees their venom makes me sneeze!” *giggles manically skipping in and out of Wonderland from one plant to the next, any attempt to talk would go unnoticed!*

Rumor has it that Pryat Gilthisanthilas, Alert of Helm, Watchknight of the Everwatch Knights, has left Amn and is now reportedly based out of the Temple of the Watchful Shield in Baldur's Gate.

He can quite regularly be seen wandering the streets of Baldur's Gate stopping to speak with various academic or scholarly appearing citizens in the more wealthier quarters of the the city. Or, he is seen wandering the poorer districts similarly speaking with the down trodden. The common theme of conversation seems to be related to questions he has regarding any knowledge about the rumors out of Amn and more specifically The Inquisition there. He can even be seen visiting various temples including the temple of Ilmater and Mystra, in search of escaped refugees of Amn's private war against magic. In fact, the latest gossip, was that upon leaving the temple of Mystra, his face was quite flushed, and it looked like he had broken out into a fresh flop sweat. What ever was discussed there must have gotten heated...

The half-elf cleric of Helm is seeking first hand witness testimony of any immoral activity of The Inquisition inside and outside of Amn.

In the days following the tragedy at Sunriver Bend, an eerie presence might be felt in the area surrounding the abandoned village. On clear days, travelers might get the sense that they are being watched, perhaps from the foothills to the north; on clear nights, keen eyes might notice a lone figure creeping out of the woods. Flighty and elusive, the mysterious watcher never strays too close, using skill and spell alike to avoid direct contact; yet she shows no sign of hostility, and favors evasion over confrontation even when she has every advantage. Her agility, her skill in traversing the surrounding wilderness, and the vague descriptions offered by those who saw her might suggest the visitor is an elf, but such theories offer no explanation of her behavior, only her nature.

On occasion, on the same days the elf's presence could be expected, a celestial bear might wander into the settlement, clearing debris and chasing off aggressive wildlife or looters while refusing to harm civilians or investigating adventurers even when threatened. A summoned creature, most likely, and by an amateur at that: The strongest of the bears only ever comes down from the hills once per day, and only for a short period before disappearing back to the Upper Planes whence it came. Should any of the bears ever be approached peacefully, a subsequent bear would later be found carrying a small note (ideally to the person who approached their predecessor), clumsily written but skillfully secured to its neck as a makeshift amulet:

there was no stopping them
but i hope this helps a little

sorry theyre not elementals too
but the bears will listen and obey

True to the author's description, the visiting bears would indeed try to follow the instructions of the first person brave enough to test this statement, showing particular deference to any they recognized as returning civilians or members of the Flaming Fist. But even if no hostility was offered, and no credible threat presented itself? One day, as suddenly as they began, the visits - by elf or bear alike - would soon come to an end of their own accord.

The monk Mi-Le exits the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange in Baldur's Gate. He takes with him a rod inscribed with runes and a handful of magical scrolls. He heads for the Outer City.

Once in the Outer City, the monk approaches a tree and unfurls a scroll. Referencing the runes on his rod, which is apparently acting as an aide, he reads the scroll. He reaches out to the tree and disappears into it.

---

A world away in Shou Lung, Mi-Le steps out of a tree at the foot of a mountain. He gazes up the footpath that leads to the Monastery of the Fearless Mountain and smiles.

"It's good to be back."

A familiar young face is seen more frequently around the docks district these last days. Since some of the folks have been taken for treatment by the Ilmateri he is seen more prevalently on the streets looking for odd jobs and to buy any sort of old food being discarded. He is firmly not asking for charity but has been seen asking after his "da" at the temple. He seems more fearful than concerned for his father's well-being, more concerned with if and when he will be let go.

The adolescent can also be seen hunting rats with a rusted, crooked dagger by the docks for the old geezer. Whatever he will not pay for seem to get hooked on the small halfling's belt, skinned and gutted. It doesn't take much imagination to assume what will happen to the foul rodents...

In recent days, Lord Osric Vale can be spotted carousing with fellow nobles in Manorborn District and the Temples District. Oftentimes, he will direct some subtle queries toward House Exeltis, specifically concerning their history and the recent tragedy that befell their second son. When he is not chatting with other lords of the Gate, he is seen in the Palace Archives. His attention would linger on any mention of House Exeltis, with particular attention paid to any genealogies or family portraiture that may be on record.

As the storm makes landfall and threatens the City, the Grand Knight and the Order of the Radiant Heart can be seen on the streets ushering the homeless into the Temples, those with homes that are outside on the streets are asked to return home and secure their windows and doors. The Radiant Heart Keep opens its gates to those outside the City and in need of shelter.

"Lilly stormed out from the sacred halls of the Temple of Mystra. Her face etched with a blend of worry and dread. With each step her resolve hardened, her gaze darting left and right, wary of prying eyes. Securing her backpack firmly, she pressed on toward the towering gates, disappearing into the labyrinthine streets beyond and leaving the city's embrace behind."

A large man in dark armor and a blonde man were seen upon the Trade way not far South of Baldur's Gate, each of them carrying someone - a woman in a black dress by the man in dark armor, and a grey robed figure by the blonde man. Both men are said to have set down their precious cargo when an altercation arose, with the dark armored man facing off against a necromancer and the blonde man protecting the two women from his creatures.

After the altercation, the pair staggered through the rain and carried both women to Ilmater's Sanctuary in Baldur's Gate. All four are said to have remained in the walls of the sanctuary throughout the night in various states of injury and exhaustion.