DM Rumors of Baldur's Gate

[DM Mimic]

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THOSE WHO REPENT

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Credit: Erythaia

From the Seatower District, the Flaming Fist announces the fate of the Sworn on 27 Tarsakh, 1352. Rumors swirl that the tribunal's deadlock was broken only by the intercession of the Council of Four, who dispatched their trusted allies and confidants to assess the truth of the Sworn's contrition. Among the advisors are Sir Gaven Arkalis, Lady Netanya of House Divine, and Lord Florian Selmayne, scion of Siamorphe. Some note the attendance of Alexander Marshall and Maevyn Edgar as well. What they learned is a closely guarded secret, but some say it is not hard to deduce based on the sentence. For her participation in the creation of the profane curse, Divine Conversion, the Sworn is sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in the maximum security ward of the Seatower prison.

Lord Selmayne is quick to announce that this course of action was what he had advocated to Duke Entar from the beginning.

From the Temples District, leaks from the High Hall suggest an unusual rupture in the relationship between Grand Duke Liia Jannath and Lord Heldrun Tosketh. Their strong bond seems to have fractured in the wake of some offense made by Lord Tosketh, to such a degree that Liia is reported to have slapped him across the face. The nature of their dispute is shrouded in mystery; some suggest the lord failed in some task assigned to him by the Duchess. Others, however, note the timing of the announcement of the Sworn's sentence and cannot help but wonder if the political discord is somehow related.

Outside the city, about halfway between Baldur's Gate and Elturel, those who departed after the Commons' election are reported to have settled in the village of River's End. Reports suggest some brewing conflict between the local lord - who happens to be one Florian Selmayne - and the arrival of a new faction of progressive magi styling themselves as the "New Arcane Liberation Front."

[DM Mimic]

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ONE'S TRUE WAY

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Credit: wlop

"Though I fear that Cyric may be the only true god ... I cannot abandon Elisia and Afendaria. I cannot abandon Korwin. They know my heart ... and I will not let this final choice of mine to be to turn my back on them. On you. I place my faith in you, Kelemvor."
-- Mortarch Nathalie

In the Eastway District, rumors spread that Micaela Navar and Nathalie of Kelemvor have both been freed from the influence of Cyric's divine curse. It is said that many Flaming Fist battlemages and Temple of Mystra acolytes were assembled to perform the deed, in coordination with the faithful of Kelemvor and their allies. With the suggestion that a solution to Divine Conversion has been found, some breathe a sigh of relief; but the insightful would note that it took almost two moons and the cooperation of over a dozen magi to succeed.

Nathalie has been returned to the care of her fellow Kelemvorites. Meanwhile, Micaela Navar, having been detained before she could commit any crimes on the Cyricists' behalf, is freed from Fist custody and allowed to depart the city discreetly. Where she will go from here is anyone's guess.

In recognition of the contributions made by Justinian, a priest of Mystra, Lady Neela Daren assigns a small cadre of the Knights of the Mystic Fire to accompany him to River's End, where the Temple of Mystra is apparently undertaking an important mission.

[Ghost]

As a crowd gathered near the church of Mystra this day, the nearby street performer had improvised a song that now is on the lips of many of those who passed by!

They waited and waited
For the man known as Oth
His arrival was fated
A candle to their moth

Finally he came out
He claimed to be food
There was nay a pout!
A feast for their mood!

I dare not even look
For if indeed a noodle is he
Soon he will cook
And a feast he truly will be

They will serve him with fish
And chicken they say!
I pray and I wish
That he may run away!

The hater of song
Is the worst of them all
Now it won't be long
Until poor Oth will fall

Slurped and devoured
With sauce and spice
Before he had even flowered!
Why couldn't they have chosen rice?

The crowd grew more
Upon Oth they would feast
They would even eat his core!
And the song-hater was pleased

Now poor Oth is gone
Foul was his end
This song is quite long
And to Elturel, I'll send

[DM Verjigorm]

In the dead of night on the 24th of Mirtul, the outskirts of the city of Baldur's Gate was met by an unwelcome disturbance, though thankfully brief. From the sewer exit within the northern farmlands erupted a vile torrent of screeching ratmen and other rodents of wildly varying sizes, spilling forth in an immense tide as they rushed relentlessly towards the east. Before the local guard could muster and chase the horde, it would become clear in time that the unnatural rodents had sought only to flee the city in some manner of mass exodus. Indeed, those few who had tried to intercept the massive herd or simply been in the way had offered testimony that the throng of rat creatures had diverted away from them and seemingly sought to avoid them entirely.

As the final trickle of rats, were they of legs numbering four or two, had left the sewers, one singular towering specimen of a wererat had stood in distant treeline, observing the last of their kind depart the city's underground before following suit itself.

Though one farmer had lamented over their field of hollies having been vandalized by the monstrous vermin horde's stampede, there had been curiously no casualties, save for a number of smaller rats and mice simply trampled by their own kind during their frenzied emigration. Though it was uncertain where the horde had gone, it was evident that the gnawing swarm had decided Baldur's Gate was a place unfit for them to remain in.

[DM Mimic]

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THE TAKING OF SOLACE

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Credit: Michael C. Hayes

In Baldur's Gate, a young man known only as "Brother Solace" rises to prominence as a healer of the heart and the mind. Those who seek his services soon realize that what Solace provides is neither poultice nor potion, but an enchantment to modify and remove memories. To some, the act is a travesty and an affront to all that is good and natural. But to others, the enchantment is a welcome relief from the guilt, shame, or trauma that plagues their lives.

By all accounts, Solace accepts neither coin nor compensation for the succor he brings; neither does he force his enchantment upon anyone, and only offers it after lengthy discussion and confirmations from his petitioners that they truly desire his aid. His gentle demeanor and compassionate soul attracts a small following of those who seek his blessing and hail him as their savior. Even the fallen paladin Eustace, whose despair over the death of his paramour had grown all-consuming, is rumored to have been saved by Brother Solace's intervention.

It seems not all attention is good, however, for just as Brother Solace is about to become a household name around the Gate, he vanishes from the city. It is unclear under what circumstances he departed, or if he is even still alive. His cult knows only that they cannot find him anywhere within the Gate.

Solace's disappearance is the subject of much consternation, particularly for those who had hoped to benefit from his magic. Some rumors suggest he was forced to leave by those who accused him of worshipping the Lady of Loss. Others whisper that the tiefling Szarilana and the Bardess Maevyn were present in an incident involving Brother Solace's room at the Blade and Stars. Alas, the extent of their role in Brother Solace's departure from the Gate is as opaque as the memories he removed.

The Flaming Fist note the incident, as well as the potential of Sharran activity in the city.

Credit: Sara Winters

[DM Mimic]

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THE UNMAKING OF SOLACE

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Credit: Chris Rallis

14 Flamerule, 1362: Lieutenant Theodora of the Flaming Fist sets about organizing a special task force to track down and undo the magical modifications to memory performed by the one known as Brother Solace. The manipulation of the mind, willing participant or no, is strictly against Baldurian law; the risk of abuse and enslavement is too great. Such is the judgment of a local Heapside Magistrate, and it is up to Theodora to enforce it.

Having received special dispensation to dispel Solace's magical enchantments and armed with the evidence supplied to her of Solace's activities from the Temple of Ilmater, it does not take long for the task force to begin rounding up Solace's supplicants. A few are grateful for the effort, those having regretted forsaking their memories out of haste or expedience. Some seek counseling and succor from the Ilmatari in substitute. But for many, the Flaming Fist's purposeful undoing of Solace's enchantments comes as an unwelcome intrusion upon their individual autonomy.

Who are the Flaming Fist to decide what is best for them and their family members? Why should these busybodies get to decide to unearth traumatic and painful memories when they are not the ones who will have to live with them? Theodora and her task force face these questions on a daily basis, a growing sentiment of resentment and outrage fomenting among Solace's petitioners. Even some who did not agree with Solace's actions nevertheless repudiate what they view as a Fist overreach into the personal lives of Baldurian citizens, especially as fines and jail time are levied against the ignorant and the well-meaning.

Unfortunately for Theodora, careful magical analyses of Solace's memory modifications reveal nothing suspicious, untoward, or inappropriate hidden within his enchantments. His efforts are exactly as he documented in his journal, which seems to reflect a genuine intention to help those suffering. If the Flaming Fist could show some attempt at subtle manipulation or control, they might at least have persuaded some to their side. As things stand, the battlemagi's standing in the public eye suffers a self-inflicted wound.

In the end, many of those who sought Solace's aid choose to flee the city rather than subject themselves or their loved ones to what they view as the undoing of solace for them and their loved ones.

Still, at least one family is glad for the aid offered. The Sims in the Outer City welcome back a son they thought to be lost. Despite their father having to perform some community service for his transgression, their family has never been more hopeful.

Credit: Bogna Gawrońska