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

~Selah Shartess personally delivers a letter to the conciliatory chambers of the Dukes of Baldur's Gate.~

One of the many Fist soldiers serving with the Triad in the Bhaalists siege delivers a letter to the Ducal Palace. It is sealed with the phoenix crest of the Rokranon family.

Honorable Duke Eltan,

M'lord, you commanded me to inform you of any supplies we need to continue the assault against the Bhaalist forces. While the knights of the Triad and your own Flaming Fist forces are serving admirably, we are having issues with a great many adventurers not heeding our warnings of the dangers the Bhaalists represent. Some simply ignore us; others try to be heroes and earn personal glory by attacking the keep themselves. Almost always does it end in death or grievous wounding for the adventurers involved, and it is severely depleting our medical supplies. I have ordered more and charged them to the palace as you told me to.

I have also ordered more oil, alchemist fire, and powdered kegs for the catapults. The Bhaalists had erected some kind of wall of force that kept our projectiles from penetrating their defenses for the first few days. Bombardment eventually collapsed their wall, but it left us short on these kind of supplies as well. Again, I have done what is necessary and the bill will come to you.

A messenger of the enemy came to speak to me, directly. They foolishly believed that I would give up the child Sister Merielle is protecting. They claim that our army will be spared if we give up William; but you and I both know many more lives are at stake than just this army's. If Bhaal is allowed to walk this plane, it will be a reign of death for the good peoples of Faerûn. I declined. There will be no easy solution to this.

I should get some rest while I can. The attacks have been more frequent, and we await only word from Meri as to a sign from Ilmater to press our assault in earnest. For the Triad, for Baldur's Gate, and for all the people of the realm, we will succeed.

May Torm protect you and all the Council, sire.

Sincerely,
Sir Jonas Rokranon
Knight of the Order of the Radiant Heart

Most honourable Grand Dukes.

It has come to my attention that unrest is on the rise. Even with the loyalty of the Flaming Fist secured, the people's obedience is still questionable.
To this end I suggest that proven, loyal citizens of Baldur's Gate are to be registered and given a small pin to wear (perhaps depicting the city's seal?). A mark of worth and cooperation to be considered a medal of honourable behaviour.

This mark of a trusted, valued citizen, if properly encouraged, will be good incentive for good behaviour. Those not inclined to show their loyalty and have it awarded with such a thing would then be subject to sumptuary laws like a slight tax increase or perhaps an agreement could be reached with the local merchants to have the recipients of the mark pay less for various sundry wares?

In the long term, I believe a policy like this will ensure an increase in loyalty and unity among the people of Baldur's Gate.

~ Joslin Greystone.

A letter arrives at the Ducal Palace bearing the purple phoenix crest of House Rokranon.

My Lords and Lady,

I write to you today as an ambassador of sorts in my new position of Knight of Baldur's Gate and also as a knight of the Radiant Heart. The elves of Doron Amar have approached me requesting to help arrange a meeting between some of their leadership and yourselves. Although this group has had quite a lot of problems in the past (including, I hear, an issue against Captain Crownsilver as well as the demonologist Deus), I'm happy to say that with the assistance of some new members they seem to be on the right track now as a force of good. It is my understanding that they wish to offer you friendship and aid in return for the same; as well as pledge themselves to obeying the laws of the realm you have laid down and the Flaming Fist enforce. Their haven has recently been overrun by orcs of the Sharp Teeth, and the elves of Doron Amar are in the process of rebuilding closer to Gulllykin. I am willing to attest to the goodness and sincerity of the current leadership, most notably Aloria, Wthyran, Siomir, and Dajala. These four were instrumental in helping in the siege against the Bhaalist keep, as were many of the others of their faction.

I also wanted to touch base on a previous letter I wrote concerning my adoptive brother, Valerius of Candlekeep. It has been some time now and I wanted to make certain the letter arrived in your hands. I would very much like for my friend to be able to visit the estate you are having constructed for me.

As always, I can be reached at the temple of Torm. Please let me know on these points as soon as possible, honorable Dukes. May Torm protect you all.

Sincerely,
Sir Jonas Rokranon
Knight of the Order of the Radiant Heart

*written in flowing common*

It has come to our intention that someone has been spreading rumours or of or is misinformed concerning the relationship to Doron Amar and the laws of your lands. We are takign steps to ensure that all our people understand that your laws are ours.. period. If they are violated by our people they will be held accountable to you. If this rumour has reached you, then we would like to submit that this is false and in no way are we going agaisnt our orgianl words.

Wythran

*the ink is heavier in places as if he is pressing down while writing, clearly frustrated.*

A scroll, wrapped in blue and white ribbon, bearing the symbol of the Weavemasters is delivered to the duchal palace. The man delivering the letter gives instruction that it is to be delivered to Duke Eltan. When opened, the elegant script seem to almost glow in a faint blue light.


Honorable Duke Eltan,

It has been a considerable length of time since we have last shared correspondence, perhaps too long. It is my hope that you are well, and in good spirits.

It is also my wish that we continue in our long standing tradition of working together for the protection of Baldur's Gate's citizens. I humbly request that you would grant an audience at your convenience to discuss matters between our organizations.

Sincerely,
Weavemaster Exarch Elias Goodmane

Dear Noble Dukes of Baldur's Gate,

You should be aware that the Flaming Fist are causing civil unrest. Because of the actions of a handful of your mercenaries, there is now open hatred and mistrust of all Flaming Fist soldiers. Not only are their requests for compliance increasingly petty, but they make no effort to conceal the contempt that they have for the citizens of the Gate.

The actions of these reactionary elements of the Flaming Fist will ultimately lead to destabilization of the city, which will affect trade and defense. It is imperative that these Fist elements are reprimanded, re-assigned, or Dismissed from duty. If things continue as they are, I am concerned that there will be dire consequences for the city.

Best Regards,
Alison Schlump.

A messenger is dispatched to Ducal Palace. He has a tightly rolled piece of parchment clutched within his grasp. He states that he is only to hand the missive to the Dukes themselves....

Dear Dukes

I have come to send word about the corruption of the Flaming Fist... On Several accounts, First off I Reported a crime about some conspiring Warlocks To a Corporal Grunga Ironfaar... She refused to find them and said if I persisted to ask her for assistance she would kill me, Then Sergeant Celtis Had Apprentice Gaurdswoman, Against her own will to beat me while i was in prison for insulting a fist... He also had Her Castrate an Orc once again against her own will, later on he saw me and another lad he dislikes with a mercenary group, He said if we don't bring the head of Sven Dragonslayer we will be outlaws, I told him to shove it, i spent a few nights in prison with more beatings. Also I was escorting a caravan i thought was legal, Found out it was a smuggler... a Bunch of Fist come out to arrest us in which they took a bribe from the caravan leader, Later on in the Docks we reported the caravan and Zacham and I told a Fist Named Jakob, Some minor Noble ordered the Product, the fist refused to arrest the "noble" and arrested a dockworker... Not even the caravan Driver got arrested.

-Brent Celek

Carried by a very well-dressed courier, a sealed letter bearing all the marks of an official duchal response arrives at the Blade and Stars Inn for the paladin and her companion to read.

[A letter arrives on plain parchment, sealed with Ilmater's Holy Symbol. The script within is neat, without flourish.]

Most Noble Sirs and Madam:

Forgive me in advance, I am no good at formality. I pray this correspondence finds you all well. My humblest thanks to your generosity thus far, and your continued support before, during and after our dealings with the faithful of the Lord of Murder. May Mercy continue to smile on you for your kindness. I apologize for not haveing written sooner to convey such.

I also apologize that the purpose of his letter is to ask something of you, my Lords, and Lady. I wish to address the children staying presently at the temple. Truly they are a joy. The generosity of the people allows me to tend to their needs for now, however, I fear I cannot properly care for them in such a large number, indefinitely. It is my hopes to see them comfortably placed, and schooled in the basics and a proper trade. There are two dozen at present in our humble shrine. There have been offers for squiring, apprenticeships and even wishes of some to adopt. However, that will account for less than a third of those present.

While I assure you that I would gladly keep them all and see to such things myself for each of them, we at the temple are not staffed for such long term care. These who have been displaced from the docks, and others for that matter, left at a disadvantage of lacking family and home… would be left to the mercy of the streets, if such a thing can be called a mercy at all. As a result their paths would turn to less favorable ones, not always, but often the unscrupulous would seek to take advantage of such a thing.

I have long seen the need for an orphanage to tend the children. Now that duty permits time to address it, and the need is highlighted by the presence of such dear ones, I would like to speak of such things. I already have a good deal of funding for such a project, and through donations of supplies, some stone and good wood for construction. There are even those who would volunteer for the construction of the facility, as well as time and resources for running it and tending the children‘s needs and educations. It need not be anything fancy. A place to feed and house children in need, that they may be schooled and prepared to learn a proper trade. There is vast support for such a thing. Even the conversion of an old structure, thus giving it new purpose, would suit the ideal grandly.

I know little though, of what avenues to take for such a project. As I stated I have much of the means, I simply need a space for such a thing, and humbly request your leave to do so. I ask this humbly, and welcome any advice, support or direction you may offer.
May Mercy keep you and yours well.

Most humbly,

~Sister Merielle Williams, Living Saint of Ilmater~

To Duke Elton
http://bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=46&t= ... 58#p116558

A message is delivered at the Ducal palace bearing the phoenix crest of House Rokranon.