Shadows shift and flicker...
Dock workers can't help but feel more watchful eyes than the typical norm...
In dark alleyways, shadow shrouded corners, perching rooftops...
A growing presence was taking place in the lower city...
Something has taken their attention, something was out of place...
While other parts of the lower city took to calls and meetings spreading word about a gambling ring,
Others were very attentive to the harbor that had always been held to a high degree of importance to The Guild.
"You want my name? Fine I shall give you my name if it appease's you before your death"
When night falls upon the city of Baldurs Gate,
it's not uncommon one would see shadier people fill the streets of the lower city.
Those that do risk walking through the streets at night, may experience a lighter coin purse,
a risk to their valuables,
a patrol making a sudden turn,
yelling of "Halt",
a distant yelp or even a scream cut short,
shadowy movements upon the rooftops,
a glimpse of someone watching them,
or maybe
just maybe
a whisper...
"You want my name? Fine I shall give you my name if it appease's you before your death"
Sword of Tyr, Vhaan de Luca, continues his public sermons on most days. The Illuskan man maintains poise, and speaks with fervour. An example of a recent sermon:
Hark! In the name of Tyr the Even-Handed I speaketh, as His Sword, Vhaan de Luca. I offer the following words in His Temperance: A virtuous life shall bring Order and radiance to the fair city of Baldur's Gate.
One might ask: "But what does it mean to live a virtuous life? Is it enough to pray? Obey the Law? Bow to the authority of the Dukes?" These are actions one ought to practice indeed! But to embody Virtue is to be honourable, honest, and true, and in a manner which is consistent. A moral life of Order promotes peace and fairness for all. To be righteous is to observe being righteous, always.
And yet, there are many sins that one may be tempted to commit under the futile pretense that it shall preserve one's self. To prioritise one's self in a manner which befouls others is to break that which binds us together in unity. It inadvertently harms one's self, for the foundation of Order is then distorted in such a way that one no longer benefits from a collective. Thusly: your community shall protect you if you protect them, and if you harm the community, then there will be no community to protect you.
If one is unsure how to act: seek the Temple of the Just God, the Shrine of Suffering, the Temple of the Loyal Fury. Read the laws that protect us! The faithful of the Triad believe in you, fair citizens and travellers of Baldur's Gate! We shall shoulder your burdens, protect you, and carry forward your spirit. In turn, reciprocity of your virtue benefits all. If you make a mistake, confess and seek penance!
I beseech to you: live fair, happy, obedient and harmonious lives. Come to our temples to pray and reflect. Have courage to act in virtue; even when it appears that no one is watching, and even when it does not appear to benefit you. Discipline, integrity! Together, in faithful unity and through virtue, the lives of the Just shall be shielded from the vile evil and wicked anarchy!
She walks by and blends into the crowd to listen to Vhaan's sermon for a few moments. "Poor soul, he literally has -no- idea how the Gate -actually- works" She says quietly to herself with a smug smile.
After feeling she had heard enough of his righteous rhetoric, she makes her way out of the crowd while carefully pickpocketing a few coins from the enthralled listeners.
Recognizing one of the guards on her payroll, she discreetly hands him the coins and then playfully blows him a kiss"For the pain and suffering you must endure in the line of duty my dear.... Long live the Gate"
Last edited by Garnet on Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
In the expected hardships of the city, figures of care reach the most unfortunate. Treatment, healing, midwife services, help with newborns, regular visits to the sewers, watching over the streets, and even care and food for street children are offered. The endeavors are quiet yet unyielding, no matter how dark the shadows grow. In the heart of torment and despair, where struggles entwine daily suffering and death, words of hope and harmony are whispered.
The Ilmatari continue their sacred mission of healing and care, often collaborating with all those willing to help. Recently, Priestess Nadine Ravenwood and Teris Ynarno have been seen with Sister Ashenie in the sewers. Oth Neren, The Order of the Radiant Heart, and the Churches of the Triad and their allies have been supporting direct or indirect endeavors in the city. Even the White Mask Theater is said to have helped the shrine on some occasions, never allowing suffering to fester. A renewed alliance has been forged amid circumstances of suffering. In their wake, people are never abandoned, always helped back to health, reassurance, and safety.
Additionally, donations are still being collected to meet the needs of the Outer, Lower, and Upper City. Indiscriminately helping all who hurt, the church continues its quiet work, ensuring none fall into the claws of suffering. This mission extends even to those in custody or forgotten in places where few reach.
In the murmurs of the church, it is said that Sister Ashenie wishes to gather perspectives to understand the causes of so much suffering in the city, whether societal, faithful, circumstantial, hierarchical, structural, economic, or institutional. It is said that she is working on an in-depth report to address the deepest causes of the cycles of suffering that continue to harm the city. All who wish to help, no matter how great or small their contribution, are welcomed by her. It is said that the report would not only be adressed to the City's Council, but also favor measures and harmony that could help the people directly without structural need of approval.
The call of Faith heard, many endeavor, no matter how dark the circumstances grow.
Planks creeks under leather boots as the sound of a flipping coin rings in the air. For those are familiar with the man, had equally seen his lingering presence in the cities harbor. Most wont care to frequent the busy docks of Baldur's Gate. But for those that do, would have seen him head towards several taverns when the sun sets. Sometimes accompanied by a woman ,other times alone. But for each day that was the beginning, he appears again walking along the harbor, flipping a single coin, only exchanging words with a few workers. But more so looking around as if looking for someone or something.
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
In one of the more diverse districts of Baldur's Gate, some subtle conversations whispers about noticing more movement with the local thieves guild. Some talks may have mentioned while a lot of the coast had their focus with Amn and the anti mage rhetoric's, the Guild had seemed more focus with the Lower City. Some might even say "They were busy establishing a firmer foothold". When Baldur's Task's Force failed to save the city from the poisonous Crimson Spice, it was rumored the Guild were the one's responsible to ending the flood of poison within the city walls, while those of the Shrine of Suffering cared and attended to the many addiction in its aftermath. People from the Lower City would had notice the increase activity from the Guild in the past years. Their movements were with purpose and direction, some may even suspect the Guild where moving up in higher places but such things would never be confirmed. More whispers mention they are even easier to contact than ever before by going to the right place at the right time to meet the right person. But regardless of their increase activity, regardless of increase whispers of extortion, growth, bribery and in come areas a rise in crime,.. Trade and commerce were of paramount importance throughout the Lower City, and for some reason, the Guild would never intervene with that nor be the cause to disrupt it. The Harbor had always been the heart that pumps the life flow into Baldur's Gate, in fact some whispering rumors may even say, "The Guild will make people disappear in order to keep the flow of the cities trade and commerce flowing."
Nearly nothing escapes the eye's and ear's of the Guild. in their own signature words "They are always Watching". May it be from dead Heros, to Abyssal portals, to the oceans monstrosities, corrupt nobles, the subtle feuding in the North, the attack on pirates of Roaringshore, or attempted gains from the Under dwellers below, they know... they always know and they know even more. But the most notable rumor of them all, is that the Guild's concerns only lie within the limits of the City and her surrounding lands. And with the recent disturbance in the sewers of Baldur's Gate, it would be foolish to think they were not watching. For Baldur's Gate is their home by a thieves word...
"Where coinage is made,
when Shadows are awake,
Long live Baldur's Gate."
"You want my name? Fine I shall give you my name if it appease's you before your death"
In the narrow alleys of Baldur's Gate, under the cloak of night, a curious scene unfolded. A quartet—Ander, Melek, Thera, and Landar—was seen escorting a group of citizens from the depths of the sewers. Some among the rescued were gravely injured, their wounds evident in the dim light, as the four guided them toward the Shrine of Suffering.
Whispers could spread through the lower city that this band had liberated the captives from the clutches of vampires, who had established a small nest deep within the sewers, preying on the unsuspecting citizens above. The confrontation was said to be fierce, yet the four emerged victorious, vanquishing the undead menace.
The rescued citizens are now in the care of Sister Ashenie, who tends to their wounds and eases their fears.
In the dark of night in the Eastway District of Baldur's Gate, the wearied Tyrran, Vhaan de Luca walked aimlessly about the streets to clear his mind. He stumbled upon a pair of tieflings in the street - Zerros and Oona - who he could only see properly after casting light upon the medallion symbol hanging at his chest.
A few passersby might have noticed a tense exchange of words between Vhaan and Zerros, with the Tyrran offering a stern warning as Oona tried to convince Zerros to leave. Still, the encounter remained orderly and gave way to some calmer talk. A bartender of the Roaringshore, Sel walked past, apparently surprised at the pair and the Tyrran speaking. Shortly after, the group split away, not before Vhaan stating "May Tyr judge you fairly" to the tieflings.
*In East district of Baldur's Gate, it would be rumored of a startling declaration of a sickly looking old man that staggered through the dark streets with dire words upon his lips. Within one of the dark alleys, some lanterns within homes might have turned on with curious eyes peeking to see what the commotion was about.*
*The man moves about with delirious steps his hands shaking,
a slightly deranged look with his messy hair.*
"End o' days, it's the end o' days." *he mumbles*
*He looks at Watch, putting up his hand to shield away his face from the lantern,
and then looking it upon it with wonder.*
"The light, aiya fineeally see the light! Save me from the terror!"
"O Morninglord save me from seein' another dawn, even ye can't bring us hope no more.
It ain't gonna be no more..." *He falls to his knees, staring mesmerized at Watcher Callo's lantern.*
*He blinks and looks at the man with a confused expression* "Blimey..man must be on Spice or sum'thin'"
"Ain't ye seen the signs?" *Still mesmerized.*
"The fish ain't right, that angel come to give us all a bit o' salvation before we be doomed,
and folk goin' missin'. All the water."
Lykah... Lykah...
"Broken, we all broken and we ain't gonna be fixed." *He then cackles, a sharp intake of his breath*.
"Give yer coin to the Bitch Queen for a quick death. Save yerself the trouble o' sufferin'."
"End o' days, don't wanna see another dawn..."
"Well now we know how the locals in the lower city feels" *He muttered to the woman next to him*
"Come now, everything is going to be alright. How about we get you some good food and sleep? You must be exhausted." *She tried to help escort the old man*
*It could be likely the commoners in the lower city, thought the end ol days was soon upon them.*
DM Limerence
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
Reports of vampires, sacrifices, and people going missing in the sewers got the attention of The Guild. Annoyed and irritated that such unsanctioned and unnecessary noise has disturbed their "Thieves Highway". Such occurrences in the sewers could be a threat to the safety of some of The Guild who travel through and operate from below. Perhaps the late night dock workers or staggering drunks would spread rumors that silhouetted figures and or thuggish looking brutes with clubs and silver weapons started heading towards each sewer grate or passage to the world below. For it's a reputation in the Lower city, that when its peace is disturbed, it angers the Underboss. And maybe some of those dock workers might have overhead some of the thugs say ....*
"The Boss said to silence the noise, unsanctioned disturbance will not be tolerated."
"You want my name? Fine I shall give you my name if it appease's you before your death"
“Two types of people laugh at the law,
those that break it and those that make it.
But I'm going to uphold it.”
Norin Brows-
On the day 27 Flamerule 1360 DR, after stepping outside of the Recruiters Office, there began a rumor that muttered from the East Harbor who spoke of how The City Watch recruited a new member to their ranks. His name was Brows, Norin Brows. and let it be known his Watch begins.
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
It is said that the Chancellor of the Radiant Heart left the Chapterhouse to visit the Temple of Umberlee. Those who saw him could swear that the usually cold and stern man, felt somewhat angered, as if a sudden burst of wrath was about to escape him.
He finds himself at the docks, before the Temple of the Queen of the Sea, demanding to speak with the Wavemistress as a matter of urgency.
He refuses to leave until the Priestess comes to see him. His mood still sour.
The night of the 3rd of Elasis 1360 saw an unusual crowd gather at the Elfsong Tavern. Seemingly all new arrivals to the city, the six strangers moved to a secluded booth after exchanging a few pleasantries, and spent a large part of the dark hours drinking and chatting in a seemingly friendly manner. Despite their overall somber attire, the atmosphere was very lively.
At the breaking of dawn, the group left the tavern. Judging by some of the words being exchanged between them, their most likely destination was the Friendly Arm Inns, whose relatively recent change in management had sparked curiosity amongst some of them.
The night was eerie silent except the bootsteps that echo's when it pressed against the cobbled streets. Shadowed corners and ally's give sense that one was being watched. The creaking sounds from shop signs blown by the chilling winds give off the ominous tune that sends gooseflesh up a spine.
Whispering rumors of a murderer on the loose are spoken from tongues foul of breath and rot. There was no mistaken of the ambiance of the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. A city founded by pirates, a city quite diverse of different ethnic groups, a city that thrives. However during the dark hours, the Lower city was considered dangerous. Shady figures of all sorts sulking in the dark areas with expressions of ill intent. Beggars were common, sickly aplenty, many still recovering addicts from the Spice plague. Often sailors as well as dock workers are seen in the streets and harbor of the Lower City. Even...Pirates.
It was no place like Roaringshore, but it had a more urban appearance. Its been several tendays a known man, particularly a bartender from Roaringshore who worked out of the Broken Goblet, has been seen far more often. He often says he's in the city due to some personal business. Spending a lot of time in the harbor, if not the seediest taverns where less presence of the Flaming Fist or City Watchmens. By what reasons is that particular man who so loves the culture of Roaringshore dwelling in the slum parts of the City of Baldur's Gate are only known to a select few. Some think he's left Roaringshore to make the city his home once again. Others dont even care. Few know just why. Some rumors even claim he's hunting tiefling for horns. What is truth and what are speculations and what are tall tales are all questions without answers.
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
