Rumors & Events of Baldur's Gate

[None]

There in the Eastern District of Baldur’s Gate, a stand is set up and tended by a familiar dark robed Kelemvorite. Among the stand lies a tall stack of parchment, an assortment of lanterns, and the skeletal scales of the Great Guide. The Kelemvorite stands behind the meager booth folding book pages into paper boats. Each time the hooded young woman becomes a little better at it.

The stand itself has signs posted in several different languages from Chondathan to Alzhedo. Each of the signs describe an upcoming commemoration for those lost in Ulgoths Beard. The writing encourages anyone who had lost a loved one during the demonic invasion of the rift to write a letter to them. The letter will then be folded into a boat and sealed with wax, where finally a candle will rest on top. Each of these burning small tributes will be released upon the prayer and commemoration of the dead in a tribute of remembrance for those lost.

The patient Kelemvorite remains at the stand for most of the day and throughout the tenday. For those unable to read the sign, they are answered by an explanation from the pale woman. She walks them through what to expect and the ceremony to come. For those unable to write, she offers to transcribe the letter for them in one of the many languages she understands.

The tired Kelemvorite remains at the stand as the days go on collecting as many writings, stories, and letters as she can gather between her prayers in the local cemetery.

[DarkmoonKing]

At the behest of Watcher Elisia Le'Gande, her nightly task of illuminating the cemetery had been taken up by Ser Stanrick Rolston, paladin of Kelemvor. He dutifully placed lanterns throughout the graveyard while putting to rest those remains reanimated by whatever curse or power persists to keep the dead from their graves.

At one gravesite in particular, the paladin consecrated the ground and lingered a moment in prayer to the Great Guide.

"Kelemvor, Lord of the Dead and Judge of the Damned, I pray that the soul of this child continues to find peace and comfort in the afterlife. May this lantern serve as a beacon of hope and reassurance; a reminder that there is light beyond the veil of death, to drive away the darkness of uncertainty. Let us trust, Lord, in your unerring judgement to reward righteous lives with everlasting serenity and wickedness with eternal retribution. In your name, I pray."

[selhan]

*Between routine patrols and making sure travelers keep out of Ulgoths Beard, the recruit Norin Brows, keeps a look out for fugitives and what he calls scum of the city. While the Sword Coast might be on edge to face a grave dire threat from the Pale Night or what they call the Mother of Demons, this dutiful Watchmen makes sure the presence of the City Guards in Baldur's were well on alert. More checks in and out of the city might even be expected as it should be when there's fugitives at large.*

*With all the trouble the Commons Militia had given the City Watch , even getting their Commander fired who even later drank himself to his sorrows and later found dead, who know's what the recruit Norin Brows may do when Robb Strong is within his clutches!*

[selhan]

*Citizens and Visitors coming and leaving Baldur's Gate may encounter increased security checks by the City Watchman Norin Brows when on duty. Rumor may spread that he questions peoples Identity to include Visitors and asks if they know the man from the Commons Militia namely Robb Strong and if so, the whereabouts on where the man could be found.

Those that might grow irritable of the increase security checks at all the City Gate Entrances would be informed that the cause of the security checks was due to the murder of Dame Bettany the Patient, paladin of Tyr and a champion who risked her life to defeat the demons at Ulgoth's Beard, and that Robb Strong was the prime suspect.

Recruit Brows however refrained from showing any emotions and maintained his professional behavior when encountering visitors and citizens alike, and he would continue to remind his fellow peers to do like wise. *


*He would say to his fellow Watchmen* "Don't give anyone an excuse to try and claim we are abusing authority. Be respectful and professional. Even if they spit in your faces. Remember what the recruiter said, they are still our people that we must protect. Stick to the "Code of Conduct". These checks are for their own safety. And if any vagrant, scum, pirate, or low life dock rat tries to give problems, just make sure you get their names. We'll see what the higher ups will want to do with them. Our primary focus is the list of Fugitives we have. *He passes out descriptions of other suspects in a different case* "Here, while we looking for Strong we might as well keep an eye out for these others. Oh and if the damn Koolah fellow comes around and becomes disruptive just escort him to the Elfsong or the Three Kegs which ever entrances that man enters from. Any disruptions could simply be a ploy to keep us distracted and allow any one of those fugitives to slip past us. Also, any known Commons Militia we come across, bring them to the outpost in Eastway for questioning for the whereabouts of Strong "only", likewise of anyone that might fit the descriptions of the list I pasted on. Again, stick to the "Code of Conduct", those damn Commons Militia will jump on any excuse to say we are abusive in authority or oppressive if any of us fail to do so. *He looked sternly at his fellow Guards even for a recruit* "And if you catch any City Watchmen abusing their authority, I want it reported to the Commander if any of you fail to do so, I will report you in just the same for condoning it."

[selhan]

*The Guard stops you at the gate.* "Please state your name and indicate if your a citizen or a visitor of the city of Baldur's Gate." *His stern blue eyes stares at you without expression, his jaw clenches as he tries to measure your demeanor.* "And are you a member or affiliated with the group known as the Commons Militia? If so, I must ask you to come with me for questioning."

*Those was the words most often heard in front of one of the city gates of Baldur's. A dutiful recruit, a City Guard known as Norin Brows, had posted up showing the extra security and questioning all those there entering or leaving.

However it wasnt to say it was a smooth task. He was having one of those days encountering some of the coasts strangest of misfits that one might run into in the Sword Coast. Having been drenched in water by a small faerie dragon that seems to be a creation of annoying, a run in with the cities most troublesome drunk, a run in with a well known Auril follower that prays on peoples irritation, and then there was the little bug size of a man called Ant. At least the night had some civilized people that the Guard had encountered to balance the scales.

Norin continued his work diligently until night fall, where he packed up his sign and writing desk and headed to the Temple District for a break before starting his nightly patrols. In the end, he still didn't learn of the whereabouts of Robb Strong of the Commons Militia, who was the prime suspect of the Murder of Dame Bettany the Patient, a paladin of Tyr. As Norin stood in front of the bar in the Helm and Cloak Inn, he ordered some food and a cup of ale and gave a word of respect to his previous Captain before indulging his dinner*

"To Captain Barns! One doesn't forget how your career was ended."

[~Mirage~]

A Guild member cladded in deep purple leathers, had taken on the task of investigating a curious antics of a pair of tiefling misfits. Alongside a third tiefling merchant was said to have disappeared with the other two. They had thought it wise to create quite the scene in the Underground market. In their performance featured a character calling himself “Lord Regent of Hin-Lovers Fan Club” and culminated in an attempted murder—because what better way to spend a market day?

The figure ventures into the Black Market exchanging whispers with the merchants and patrons who might have witnessed the chaos unfold were exchanged. With a steady demeanor and a diplomatic approach, she walked among the crowd, engaging in conversation about the incident. As she mentioned the troublesome trio's escapade, she sought to piece together a clearer narrative. Descriptions could be a thief’s best tool, especially when gathering bits of gossip from those who had witnessed the chaos. Even the smallest of details mattered.

She also pressed for information about the merchant tiefling. Eddvar came to mind. Was he caught up in this absurdity? Did he leave willingly with them, or had he been swept into their whirlwind of chaos against his will? What exactly the merchants whispered to her seems unclear, but one thing is certain; Nothing in the underground ever slipped the Guild's eyes and ears, and she was determined to uncover the truth behind the absurdity of the day’s events.

[kham]

A crazy woman bearing the sigil of Auril is seen placing the following parchment on notice boards about the city

[Steve]

Within the docks district, down a seldom traveled alley, in front of a nondescript warehouse door, a man of half-elven heritage stands pondering the worn wood face, and the large and impressive lock that binds the door securely shut with a set of intimidating chains.

Such contemplation goes on for a time, though relative to each that has a finite beginning and end, their blood ancestry certainly influencing such perception of a second, a minute...an hour or more.

With a satisfied grunt, the half-elven man known as Jon Smythe unlocks and enters the warehouse of long-term storage...removing from his satchel a blank parchment and dry-writing device, as is preparing himself to inventory what lies ahead in the dimly lit interior....

[Sundown]

Short visit at church of Mystra and Ilmater

At the early last evening, two elves were seen visiting the Temple of Mystra. Their stay did not last long, but it was even shorter during their subsequent visit to the Shrine of the Suffering.

[DaloLorn]

In the days following the arrest of Robb Strong, another Militia ringleader simply... disappears. Does Virin vanish as an admission of defeat? A show of guilt, perhaps? Or is it a strategic retreat?

Only a handful might know for sure...

[selhan]

The city guard known as Norin Brows would likely had been seen walking towards the lower city , striding with purpose. For once, the dedicated guard didn't glance at anyone he had crossed with a suspicious gaze. It was later that he was heading out the Dragon Gate along side Sister Cary's in haste, heading for Ulgoths Beard.

As time past, it was later people in the Wide would had seen them return. The Ilmater novice removing her face covering and gloves, as if prior to caring for a sensitive incident. Norin Brows was surely having a busy day and night, dealing with the Cities troublemakers then working with some members of the Flaming Fist along side Sister Carys.

What started out as an annoying day, had turn to a grim one for the Watch recruit. Perhaps once he learned of the Capture of Robb Strong, a known member of the Common's Militia, he may actual smile and inquire to where Robb Strong was being held. The recruit, would "REALLY" be hoping Strong was detained in the City Watch holding. If so, the recruit would exercise great haste in finishing all of his paperwork for the day, just to get a chance to pay the criminal scum a visit.

[DaloLorn]

As people ponder the circumstances of Robb Strong's arrest, Sir Eustace's fall, and Virin's disappearance, a new act unfolds in this convoluted drama. In the dead of the night, a shadow sweeps over the Gate, navigating alley, rooftop, and battlement alike with practiced grace and singleminded purpose.

To most, the masked figure's passage will be completely unnoticed, and it may not be until the dawn that its actions become apparent. It is a set of flyers: Large letters of pig's blood, shaped as if painted by a slender finger. Each one rich with meaning beyond its few words; each one placed with purpose; each one written in anger and bitterness.

At the gate of the Temple of Tyr:

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As Justice dies,
her knights blindly flail.
Holy courts, commanded by tyrants.

Is this a temple of Tyr, or of Siamorphe?

At the front door of Lord Hargrove's house:

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You know what you did.
Does your gold help you sleep?

Money can't buy a conscience,
but maybe you can buy another assassin?

At the front gate of the Marshall estate:

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Duty binds,
but power speaks.

A knight's word:
Easily given,
Easily taken back.

No wonder the assassin was a knight.

At the gates of an abandoned warehouse in the Steeps, once used by Rhaeg as a meeting ground for the Commons:

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Your leaders are dead or dying,
your rights forgotten,
your dignity trampled.

Know your place yet, cattle?

All hail the Chalice of Siamorphe!
And long live the Dukes of Shadow!

On the bulletin board outside Baldur's Mouth, a slightly different message appears. Though still written in blood, it seems to have been written with proper utensils for a change. Those in the know would realize it is a replica of another letter, once submitted to the Temple of Tyr. A clumsy forgery by an unskilled hand, yet made with considerable effort:
For reader reference: Took 20 on an untrained Linguistics check, for a net result of 25. Copy-pasted from Mimic's PM, with just a few BBCode fixes and obligatory bloody hue.

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The letter is addressed to Lord Vincent Hargrove, dated a week or so before the first trial of the Gauntlet of Champions.

My dear Vincent,

Rictor tells me that the common rose thorn in your side has grown even sharper, to the point where it might soon burrow into your flesh and stain your violet tunics red. Surely the Chalice of Siamorphe will be doing something about the rabble. It's becoming dangerous to traverse the streets these days. You have always said that the nobility should seek you for counsel in troubling times. How do you propose this situation should be addressed?

You've always gone on and on about how it is the righteous duty of the nobility to lead. I hope you know that sometimes leading means making an example out of a bad apple. It would be such a shame if the gauntlet was unduly disrupted. But perhaps ... perhaps it might also be an opportunity to put an upstart in their place. If that were to happen, I am sure our many peers would discover a newfound respect for the Chalice, the Divine Right, and - of course - House Hargrove.

The letter is signed simply, RH

Rumors also circulate of some mild commotion outside the Radiant Chapterhouse the night the flyers went up, but if another message was left there, the general public did not get to see it before it was removed. The Tyrrans and Hargrove would remove theirs as soon as they noticed, and like the Radiant Heart, they would post additional guards to ward off future attacks.
@ORH: PM inbound!

It doesn't take long to learn the source of the blood. A local butcher speaks up: The night after Strong's arrest, someone broke into his shop, stealing a few quarts of blood and replacing them with a bag of gold and the bloody words "hush" and "thanks". It was by far the most expensive batch of blood he'd ever 'sold', so he chose to let it slide at first... but he hadn't imagined it would be used like this.

As discussion stirs around these provocations, one might get the sense that the shadow lingers during the day. Watching, listening, evaluating - to what end, it refuses to share, swiftly disappearing at the first sign it's been noticed. Whatever this is...

... It is not yet over.

[selhan]

*As the City Watchmen recruit Norin Brows conducted his street patrol's he would surely see some of the flyer's in various areas in the city that appeared to be written in blood. However only in the locations of the Upper City ,since the City Watch do not patrol the Lower City with the exception of part's of the Eastway. Most patrols in the Lower City are handled by the Flaming Fist.*

*He would later return to the City Watch Citadel and submit a report in the subject matter of the following potential crime, absent of any suspects but request an investigation take place to find the culprit or culprits responsible for such criminal behavior towards the good upper citizens of Baldur's Gate. Unless a submitted complaint of Thievery was reported by the Butcher which was likely doubtful since he was paid with a transaction he didn't witness, the recruit would dismiss the claim of theft and write it off as an honorable citizen in need, and didn't wish to wait for the sleeping butcher. However If the vandalism was investigated by the proper ranking bodies, and it was determine that the writing's was pigs blood, then the recruit would make sure the investigators link the two incidents. *

" Treason" - However this charge was stipulated by the recruit to be lowered as a lesser degree offence because the recruit feel's its only a "Possible Attempt of" - espionage or sabotage of Citizens of Baldur's Gate which is punishable up to a sentence of death. And request life instead.

"Vandalism" - which results in fines, with further punishment of the loss of fingers, in cases of repeated offense.

"Sedition" - and any foreign ambassadors or lords, will result in incarceration and punishment fitting the crime.

"Damage to Property" - which will result in incarceration and possibly further punishment. However Norin add this particular charge might be reaching unless building owners would deem the blood writing on their properties damaging. ((They were Flyers))


*But before the Recruit would return to the Citadel to submit his report he would firstly pay a visit to the Seatower District more particularly the Flaming Fist Citadel submitting a request to visit a prisoner. Namely Robb Strong.*

Submitted by Recruit Norin Brows

"For the love of Baldur's"

[selhan]

"HALT!"

Rumors' in the Wide would spread of an incident where the recruit Norin Brows gave chase to a fleeing thief!

Thedrick Cane: *The man at the puppet stand digs through the supplies and stuffs them in their pockets. Stuffs the goods in his pockets looking around*

Norin Brows: "Halt!"

Thedrick Cane: Piss off! *Takes off running, pushes a barrel in back of him*

Norin Brows: "Halt!" IN the name of the watch!"

After loosing sight of the criminal, Norin had a few engagements with commoners and citizens. But being in the Heaps , he surely wasn't getting any answer he wanted to hear. Unless it was a Flaming Fist Soldier.

Norin Brows: "Sir you seen anyone pass by here in a hurry?!

Fist Mercenary: I have! I think he ran down the alleyways!

Docker: Mister Watch. . .*Raises his mug*

Norin Brows: "You there..you happen to see anyone pass by in a hurry? Wearing a brown furry cloak"

Docker: Maybe I did, and maybe I didn't. You gone make it worth my while?

Norin Brows: *He shakes his head* "Damn dock folks.." *He flexes his jaw then turns back looking for a more ideal citizen *

Masked Figure: Woah woah!

Norin Brows: "You there..you seen a man run down this way with a flurry cloak?!

Masked Figure: Maybe! What's it paying?

Norin Brows: "Bah..no time for you scums.." *He sets off in a rush towards the Eastgate*

Later with the help of another Watchmen, the thief was found and cornered to submit. But the thief had other plans.

City Watch Officer: You seen where he went?

Norin Brows: "Last seen heading to the Eastway, He likely sulking around some palace"

City Watch Officer: I bet he's part tiefling~!

Norin Brows: *He points* There he is the thief!"

City Watch Officer: Norin! Get him!

Norin Brows: "Halt!"

Thedrick Cane: *He attempts to shove him aside*

Norin Brows: *He jumps to tackle the man!*

Thedrick Cane: *He thrashes on the ground yelling* Get off me you scum! Piss off! *He spits on him*

Norin Brows: *He wrestles with the man and attempts to apply a set of manacles on him*

Thedrick Cane: *The man thrashes and knocks the manacles away, crawling out and stumbling to his feet running! After while he decided to pull out a weapon, Holding out his rapier* Is this something you're prepared to die for soft hands!

Norin Brows: *He quickly paused then backs up drawing his own blade* "Last warning..drop your weapon and submit to the Watch! *Tries to intimate the man while drawing his sword*

Thedrick Cane: *He glares at him shaking with anticipation, and decides to go for it* RAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!

Hostility followed, as well as violence. The recruit Norin brows, was heavily engaged with a thief who knew well how to handle a sword. Norin still a recruit, was quickly wounded with many wounds in the beginning of the fight. But after moments of what seemed like forever, Norin was able to think his actions through, and decided to fight defensively. The fight began to shift, causing the thief to try to make another attempt at fleeing. But at this point Norin Brows was focused and gave chase .Just as they reached a stair way in the East District, the thief turned around to kick at the recruit. Norin manage to take the kick well, and attempted to tackle the thief once more and suffered a black eye in doing so. After more struggles, the thief was back on his feet sword in hand and decided to cross blades with the persistent recruit.

Witness watched, some went to seek help, others sulked in the shadows waiting for it all to play out. In the end, the thief was weakened by his many wounds, And Norin Brows, the ever so diligent Watchmen was finally able to apprehend the thief with the help of the presence of a Flaming Fist solider. They escorted the criminal to the holding cell in the nearby outpost. A job well done some may say, for Norin was offering many attempts for the thief to stand down and submit. After the ordeal, the recruit was seen heading to the Temple of Ilmater, where he would get full service and care from the novice of the temple, known as Sister Carys.

"All Hail Baldur's"

DM Ink: *Word spreads of Watchmen Norin's excellent work
in apprehending a bandit in the wide!*

DM Ink

[Victor_Eremita]

In the dark of night in the cliffside graveyard, a lone man leaned against a tombstone at the top of hill. Cairo lazily sipped from a bottle of Sherry.

"Mate, I reckon we woulda had a bloody right good time if ye weren't buried six feet under. Jus' picture it. Visitin' every alehouse from the Blade to the Cloak, charmin' all the lads and lasses, findin' ourselves on the bloody rooftop and screamin' and yammerin' all wot feels good, y'hear?"

He barked a laugh, as he began to stuff a pipe with some pipeweed from a satchel. In the distance he heard a guttural, shambling sound approaching. Rolling his eyes, he swiftly picked up his crossbow, scanning about before recognising the culprit. Half-heartedly aiming, the bolt caught a spark as it flew from his crossbow, landing true in the zombie's neck with a fiery finish. It joined the many other fallen undead in his perimeter.

"Bloody rude, ain't they mate? Jus' tryin' to have a nice conversation here, we are!"

Watching for any further movement, he sighed, and laid his crossbow beside him, picking up the pipe. Concentrating, it caught a spark much like his bolts did. He began to inhale, leaning back further against the tombstone with a wry smile. Whoever the grave belonged to, Cairo was intent upon respecting it in the only way he knew how. Liquor, pipeweed, and idle conversation. After all, respecting the dead was what the Kelemvorite had instructed him to do as penance.

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