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

Against the background of demons murderous, rioting disorder, and a rise in young criminal gangs The House of cards prepare for the winter by offering winter investment opportunities in their various endeavours. leaving it up to the individual group or guild to decide where their fortunes might be best placed this winter as sea voyages remain tempered by fear of demons and winter weather.

In the city a crackdown on youth crime by the city and the reported increasing involvement of the so called blagger gangs - a collection of younger street gangs. The city received a funding boost by Nathan Goldenmane which will be distributed to other community groups able to tackle this street crime. However the so called blagger gangs have recently been spotted around the city and so far have not been deterred by this initiative. Time will tell perhaps.

(Saturday Nov 9 5pm CST)

When it was first announced that the Gauntlet of Champions' first trial would involve a cooperative challenge and not a grand melee, some in the city suspected the event would miss that spark of excitement that comes from the chaos and adrenaline of a grand melee. Those who felt so would surely have had their expectations upheaved. As the gauntlet unfolded, it became clear that despite an impressive showing of coordination on the part of some of the gauntlet's challengers, it would not be the cooperative elements of the contest that became the talk of the town. Rather, it was what transpired between an allegedly ignoble knight and the Speaker of the Commons that filled the evening's taverns with gossip and rumor.

The Gauntlet began relatively smoothly as ten would-be champions faced off against the Thousand-Faces Headsman (revealed to be a massive construct designed by the magus Askhar Azhur). But things went awry when in the heat of the melee, Sir Felix Fassaway made a wide swing at the Headsman and nearly cut into the half-orc Rhaeg. In his rage, the Speaker of the Commons became certain that Fassaway was an assassin meant to eliminate him as a political player within the city. What followed was a furious clash between the pair - resulting in the Speaker pile-driving the knight into the dirt and snapping his neck.

The display of infighting did nothing to earn the crowd's pleasure, and even those among the Commons who had assembled in the arena stands to support their half-orc Speaker found it difficult to defend. Nevertheless, when the challenge was won and Rhaeg stormed off in disgust against the noble organizers of the gauntlet, he did not do so alone.

Questions linger. Had Fassaway truly attempted to assassinate the Speaker? Was it Lord Mountsend or any of the lords in attendance that hired him? With clerics on hand to tend to injuries and raise the dead after the gauntlet, perhaps answers could still be found.

Conspiracies aside, the other gauntlet challengers - in one way or another - impressed the lords in attendance and the crowds in the stands. Those who worked together in coordination to destroy the Thousand-Faces Headsman were well-received by the crowd. Of particular note, Alexander Marshall, Maevyn Edgar, Alfny Collins and Laei Saenei were recognized for solving the magical torch puzzle and noted for their ingenuity and perceptiveness. Meanwhile, Hinzel, Yuri Lichelina, Silian Gein, and Belinda Ravenblood were remembered for their daring in facing off against the Headsman.

Lord Mountsend has promised that the Gauntlet of Champions has not concluded and that a second challenge is soon to follow. Some wonder what that might entail, and how the heroes of Baldur's Gate will face the inevitable clash to come. Only time will tell.

Mysterious deaths take place all over the city of Baldur's Gate. In the Elfsong Tavern, a group of diners was found to have gorged themselves literally to bursting, their gaping maws still filled with half-masticated food. In the Steeps, courtesans and their patrons alike are found dead of heart failure and exhaustion, apparently from overexertion. In the Temples District, a group of mourners weeping over the soldiers lost at Ulgoth's Beard was discovered having perished of dehydration, their faces covered by the residue of dried tears.

Against this backdrop, tensions in the Gate worsen. With the Commons demanding answers regarding the attempted assassination of their Speaker, some of their number allow emotion to get the better of them. Small mobs form in the cities, harassing nobles and merchants alike who dare to cross their paths. Outside the Water Queen's House, a group of commonfolk accost one Lord Thaulgaunt and his daughter, determined to paint the lord as the puppetmaster behind Felix Fassaway's actions. If not for the tiefling Oona and even Rhaeg (!?) intervening on the lord's behalf to calm the mob's anger, no one can say what tragedy may have transpired.

Meanwhile, the Commons Militia begins training in earnest. While they are welcomed in some corners of the Lower City, in other parts of the Steeps and Heapside they are met with nothing but hard glares, contempt, and in some cases fear. Militia members face jeers and are turned away from shops and services, sometimes out of concern that traders being seen working with the Militia might become marked for targeting by the Speaker's many enemies. Some members of the militia disappear without a trace, never to be seen again, presumably taken in the dead of night and under the cover of darkness. As a result, recruitment into the Commons' Militia plummets but those that remain grow only more defiant and determined to fight for their cause.

Seemingly oblivious in the face of these mounting disasters, Lord Rictor Mountsend continues preparations for the next phase of his so-called Gauntlet of Champions. It is said he intends to host a grand ball, and that part of the challenge will entail navigating the function and all its many dangers. When asked what dangers could possibly be present at a ball, Lord Mountsend suggests simply, " ... you will have to attend to see."

Flyers can be found around Baldur's gate from the East Gate to the Manor Born district. While no formal charges have been rallied, it is clear the consequences of entering the city can be imprisonment for the suspected until the questioning is concluded. Those with information

As a malaise of anxiety settles over the Commons, two city watchmen are found beaten and unconscious - one soaked in Chionthar waters - near the Charity Soup Kitchen in the Steeps. Some rumors assert that the watchmen were on patrol when gang members set upon them; others posit that the men were targeted by the same occult workings behind the recent deaths in the city. In noble circles, some of the local gentry speculate that the Commons must have been behind the act, a conjecture suggesting a dramatic crescendo in the rising unease between their group and the City Watch.

To add fuel to the fire, word soon spreads like wildfire that a City Watchman attempted to assassinate "Sir" Felix Fassaway while the Watch still held him in their custody. The perpetrator is identified as Cory, an orphan of sixteen years and only a recent recruit to the Watch. He is known to have ties to the Commons and was purportedly recruited by Watch Captain Kant in an effort to help mitigate the situation in the city. Contrary to the Watch Captain's intention, while the Triad Knight Sir Gaven Arkalis interviewed Fassaway, Cory seized an opportunity to poison Fassaway's drinking water.

Thanks to Sir Arkalis' quick action in applying an antidote, Fassaway lives and his would-be-killer is now in custody. However, the breach in security at the City Watch results in both the investigations into Fassaway and his would-be killer to be handed over to the Flaming Fist. Only time will tell how the adjudication of the cases will go from here.

Robb Strong of the Commons Militia now rallies his organization to demand Cory's immediate release. He is supported by a host of Commons members, including the Militia's Drill Sergeant Petra and a vocal tradesmen's guild. As the Militia and the Watch meet each other on the streets more and more vocally, some fear that violence is inevitable.

Meanwhile, whether the Speaker of the Commons will throw his influence and support behind Robb Strong in demanding Cory's release remains uncertain. What is certain is that while the situation inside the city devolves further into infighting, outside the city, the demon threat remains.

Baldur's Gate - murder in the Blushing Mermaid (AI-generated)

Despite the efforts of the City Watch to keep everything under wrap, the news of the Captain Barn's death begins to roam around Baldur's Gate. Although some say it was a tragic accident, others claim it was actual murder. No one seem to be aware of who the killer might be, however some patrons would have sworn there were demons at work, with a demonic creature flying about right after the beloved Captain's death. The family mourns the loss of their father and husband, as he went missing for some time. The reply from the Captain of the City Watch, Aran Monlieu, came fast.

Citizens of Baldur's Gate,
Fellow members of the City Watch,

Today, our hearts are heavy, weighed down by a tragedy that has struck us like a bolt from the blue. Captain Barn, my predecessor and a guiding figure to many of us, has been found dead in the Blushing Mermaid.
Barn was not a perfect man, but he was a man devoted to this city. He brought order where chaos once ruled and sacrificed his own well-being to safeguard the people of Baldur's Gate. Even those who disagreed with his methods could not deny his unwavering love for this city and his tireless commitment to its citizens.

But the blood that now stains the tavern floor must not be shed in vain.
I promise you all, citizens and guardians of the law alike, that whatever happened, justice will be done. We will not allow the name of Baldur's Gate to be dragged through the mud by those who believe anarchy can thrive unchecked. Every individual, every group responsible for this heinous act will be brought to light.

Yet, remember this, my comrades: grief must not blind us, and anger must not consume us. The City Watch remains at your service, with discipline and integrity, just as Barn taught us.
Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we act. Not for revenge, but for justice. Not with hatred, but with resolve. In honor of Captain Barn and for the safety of Baldur's Gate.

May Lathander guide us and grant us the strength to see beyond the darkness.

The new year arrives without incident or fanfare but this brief respite from the city's troubles could not last. Despite their best efforts, the Flaming Fist fail to convince the accused would-be murderer Cory Strong to accept a plea bargain. The accused insists on a trial, even despite the overwhelming evidence against him. With no facts in contest, the Flaming Fist moves quickly to try the young man for the attempted murder of Felix Fassaway.

The trial is held over a single day, much of it taken up by the Fist's prosection. With only an ill-equipped Commons volunteer as his advocate, Cory's account of the events is immediately dissected by the litany of eyewitnesses and testimony prepared by the Fist. In the end, the defense commands less than one hour of the actual trial. Cory does little to help his advocate, speaking out of turn and interjecting his own commentary over the testimony of the Fist's witnesses. The Magistrate of Tyr presiding over the trial becomes visibly aggravated as the boy's interruptions grow more heated.

Ultimately, the evidence against Cory is insurmountable. Thus, no one present for his trial is surprised when the verdict is handed down: Cory Strong is guilty. What does surprise some is the sentence: twenty years of incarceration in a Baldur's Gate prison, an unusual - though not unprecedented - punishment for the crime of attempted murder. Some claim it was the sentencing that finally managed to quiet Cory's defiant clamor; listening to the Magistrate hand it down, Cory managed only a vacant stare and stunned silence before being led away back to his cell.

The city's eyes now turn to the trial of Felix Fassaway as various factions wait with bated breath to see how the purported knight will fare in his own trial for the same crime.

Elsewhere in the city, strange deaths continue to occur. The most recent victim: a talented singer who held a high note so long that it was not until she started turning blue that her audience began to suspect that something was amiss. By the time the first would-be rescuer leaped atop the stage, it was too late; she would never take another breath.

Political machinations took center stage on the day of Sir Felix Fassaway's trial. First, a surprise announcement by the Temple of Tyr that Abbot Eldric Sulnar had declared the day's proceedings were to be closed to the public. Wary of further attempts on Fassaway's life and cognizant of the Commons' vested interest in punishing the man accused of attempting to murder their Speaker, the Abbot chose instead for the trial to be held in private, where security could be better maintained. Some suspected foul play but most trusted that the Temple of Tyr would follow their dogma and ensure a just trial. The large throng of spectators that had gathered outside the temple prepared themselves for disappointment.

Quietly, a small group of Commons supporters was allowed to proffer additional evidence in relation to the proceedings, despite their rather late submission.

Fassaway himself had not yet arrived to the Temple, and the delay had dragged on long enough that even the senior knight charged with the Temple's security - Dame Bettany the Patient - began to wonder if something had gone awry. Still, when a single Flaming Fist soldier finally marched up to the temple threshold, she expected excuses for the Fist's tardiness, not what followed next. Whispered words conveyed a troubling message: the Fist had reneged on their arrangement with the Temple of Tyr and would now be trying Fassaway under Fist military doctrine. Their pretense: since the victim was a member of the Duchal Court, the accused should submit to a Fist military tribunal.

In the days after the event, it was revealed that this decision was made because the Flaming Fist had acquired new information gained from an independent investigation conducted by Sir Gaven Arkalis. Based on these revelations, the Fist had decided to attempt to plea bargain Fassaway into revealing his employer. As such an outcome would have been antithetical to the tenets of Tyr, the Flaming Fist felt it had no recourse other than to withhold custody of Fassaway in an effort to identify the true culprit behind the attempted assassination.

However, none of this information was brought to light on the spot. Without the context to rebut their worst fears, elements of the Commons began to suspect a conspiracy at play. Robb Strong, already suspicious that the Tyrrans had wanted to close the proceedings to the public, was now certain that the Flaming Fist wanted to engineer Fassaway's trial in the accused's favor. Urged on by the Speaker of the Commons' clear outrage at this turn of events, Robb assembled a mob of his Commons supporters and marched on the Seatower stronghold of the Flaming Fist.

Those who gave chase found a throng of Commons members nearly two-hundred strong at the Seatower's gates, all of them enrapt in outrage and furor. In stark contrast, only a dozen Flaming Fist soldiers stood their ground against what they were sure was about to devolve into a riot. Several notable adventurers and champions within the crowd urged Rhaeg to quell Strong's mob and maintain peace within the city but the half-orc Speaker's bitter indignation at the perceived injustices was overwhelming. Thus, when the Speaker arrived at the Seatower, none were sure whether he would be there to mollify the crowd or push it over the edge.

The crowd was on the cusp of breaking into violence; it seemed almost inevitable as various scuffles broke out. A group of Commons allies chose this moment to spring a trap on someone they suspected to be a deceiver and infiltrator; the hostilities resulting from their efforts would surely have spurred the mob into a full-blown panic had a mage nearby not intervened. Even with the mage's efforts, the growing tension and conflict between the various factions neared a critical inflection point.

It was then that the Speaker of the Commons finally made his voice heard.

Rhaeg wrote:COMMONS-FOLK! STAND! DOWN!

THERE ARE FELL FORCES AT THE VERY MOUTH OF THE CHIONTHAR AS WE SPEAK!

OUR PURSUIT FOR JUSTICE WILL! BE! HEARD! OF THAT YOU WILL BE ASSURED!

THE MILITIA WAS FORMED FROM A DESIRE TO PROVIDE THE COMMON FOLK OF BALDUR'S GATE WITH A DEFENSE THAT TRANSCENDS THE APPARATUS OF STATE!

TO DEFEND AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD PREDATE UPON THEM FROM WITHIN THE CITY ... AND WITHOUT!

WE WILL SEE JUSTICE FOR KATLYN STEEL... AND CORY STRONG!

-- BUT WHILE THE THRONGS OF THE ABYSS ARE MASSED AT THE MOUTH OF THE CHIONTHAR ...WE RISK LOSING EVERYTHING WE'VE BUILT.

I IMPLORE YOU; TO RETURN TO YOUR FAMILIES, TONIGHT. YOUR LOVED ONES.

Whatever the Commons felt for the Flaming Fist or Felix Fassaway, it was clear they still had faith in their Speaker. As the half-orc's bellowing ended, the mob quieted, calmed, and dispersed. Much to Robb Strong's dismay, he had lost the moment and could only storm off along with the others. The opportunity for direct, violent confrontation was lost.

It was over. Peace would win out ... for now.

In the aftermath of the incident, Lord Vincent Hargrove, Scion of Siamorphe and a noted political opponent to the Commons, was taken in for questioning by the Temple of Tyr as Felix Fassaway's employer and puppetmaster. After a charged discussion between Dame Bettany the Patient and Captain Beluarion of the Flaming Fist, a decision was made to return custody of Fassaway to the Temple of Tyr. With the revelation of new information acquired from the Commons' members investigating the incident and the report submitted by Sir Gaven Arkalis, the Flaming Fist decided it had sufficient evidence to pursue further investigation into Fassaway's employer without the need to plea bargain with Fassaway himself. The arrangement with the Temple of Tyr was reinstated and the Fist turned Fassaway over without further objection.

With the introduction of new evidence, Abboy Eldric Sulnar of Tyr rescheduled the trial. The proceedings will remain closed to the public, but in general, most have renewed confidence that Felix Fassaway will meet justice.

Amidst the chaos of these events, most overlooked the disappearance of the Commons Militia Quartermaster and suspected infiltrator Petra. Coincidentally around the same time, the city seemed to earn a reprieve from the mysterious deaths that have plagued noble and peasant alike ...

In the early hours of Ches 6, 1361, a Flaming Fist scout surveys the wreckage of Ulgoth's Beard on a routine patrol. For months, the place has been nothing but corruption and death, with no sign of activity from any demon forces. Scattered across the coast, most of the demonic forces had no semblance of organization; it was not even clear what their purpose was other than to sow chaos and slaughter. And here at Ulgoth's Beard, since the climactic battles that transpired the previous year, mostly it has been quiet.

So when the scout sees what she sees, she does a double-take.

An army of demons now amasses at Ulgoth's Beard. A final surge of abyssal forces threatening to swallow the Baldur's Gate, the Sword Coast, all the realms. As the Flaming Fist and City Watch marshal their armies to make a last stand, a call goes out to all able-bodied and willing adventurers. Who will answer the call and stand with the final line of defense? Who will prove themselves heroes once and for all?

Event Date: Sunday, March 9 1700 GMT

Lockdown of Ulgoths Beard

After the demonic threat in Ulgoths Beard had ended, the Flaming Fist marched in. Guarding the perimeter of the once village, barrikades were erected, scouts kept their eyes open. Any who approached Ulgoths Beard were denied entry and asked to return to where they had come from.

Victory. Although many threats still plague the coast, one at least has met its end at the hands of stalwart adventurers willing to put their lives on the line for the defense of the people of the Gate. With the deaths of the balor Ozhyllu and the marilith Zaxal'thass, the great majority of the demons that sacked and razed Ulgoths' Beard to the ground have now been destroyed themselves, banished back to the Abyss from whence they came.

The Grand Dukes, in the hopes of recognizing the achievements of the city's heroes and returning hope and morale to the city announce a grand parade throughout the city. The event will conclude with a commendation service, to honor and recognize the many heroes who joined in the city's defense.

// Event Date: Saturday, March 29, 1700 GMT
// If your character took part in any of the events related to the defense or retaking of Ulgoth's Beard, they are eligible to be recognized by Baldur's Gate (provided they are not banished or otherwise considered to be a threat to the city, of course). Because I am not aware of all who took part in the relevant events, we will be going by an honor system.
// Banished characters and other characters forbidden from entering Baldur's Gate who nonetheless participated in any of these events will be rewarded separately. Please reach out to me if your character falls into this category.

Rumors spread of Grand Duke Belt and the delivery of the funds for Ulgoth's beard. Those that were there in person described the Duke's demeanor as calm and collected, with a smile suitable for someone standing in ruin. He was said to be heard laughing down the halls of the Grand Palace. While Grand Duke Entar can confirm the funds were matched by Belt, there has been no indication if his recently sold auxiliary mansions happened independently. For the next few tenday, furniture made its way out of the Grand Palace, while Belt watched in astonishment and Entar in annoyance. Those that spend a fair amount of time in the Palace District may have noticed the a great number of soldiers escorting somebody who looked mostly like the Duke, but this Belt wears lesser than fine wares. To those in passing, he looks like an average adventurer.

Evidence of the missing Docks Watchman was found, edges with a blue chalky residue linger, crinkled, and tucked to nearly unseen space as though hoped to be discarded to time and weather.