Rumors & Events of Baldur's Gate

[DM Theophanies]

Smoke was seen rising near the southern bridge of Baldur's Gate shortly after the trial of Terri Lalani. Rumors speak of a mob that gathered outside of the Phoenix Company Lodge. The angry group armed with torches demanded to be allowed entrance to the building. When they were denied entrance by the Phoenix Company employed guards, they proceeded to attempt to burn the property down. The Flaming Fist arived shortly after and with the magical assistance of passersby were able to get the fire under control. One carelessly cast whirlwind spell only managed to fuel the flames injuring Azriana Sumormoon a refuge of Kheldrivver and guard of the Phoenix Company. Those that pass by the lodge would clearly see the cosmetic damage caused by the fire. The Flaming Fist is keeping a very close eye on the property while its fate is determined and there investigation in to the matter is concluded.

[LISA100595]

*The Order of the Silver Rose posts notices in prominent public locations*

Let it be known that The Phoenix Company and it's members are now under the protection of The Order of the Silver Rose until the investigation of the corruption of the Trial of Terri Lalani and the events surrounding or tied to it are complete.

It is requested that any and all information on the whereabouts of Terri or information associated with her kidnapping be shared with the OSR as soon as possible.

Thank You,
Lady Elvina Aira-S'efarro
Knight Commander of the Order of the Silver Rose

[Boddynock]

Liam can be seen entering the Temple of Tymora with a large sack, jingling with coin. He doesn't leave for some time, and petitioners in the Temple itself would perhaps let on that after donating what appeared to be a particularly large sum, he pulled Lady Leeta into a side room for a more private conversation.

((PM sent and thanks to DM Lobo for general awesomeness))

[LISA100595]

Two Knights of the Order of the Silver Rose can be seen standing guard outside the Phoenix Company Lodge.

[kleomenes]

Ameris is seen entering the Temple of Tymora; perhaps an unremarkable thing. However, usually he is not wearing a woman's dress - unlike today. A fine green dress, hanging poorly on his muscular physique. He does not wear his holy symbol, instead a pendant marked with the symbol of the Harpers hanging around his neck.

Present is Liam the Golden, watching the proceedings wearing what could only be described as a smug grin.

After the priest has got himself a goblet of wine he calls for quiet, and then begins to speak, grinning widely.

"Admittedly I do not speak here often." He begins. "And alas I shall not be able to do so for some time in the future." Liam's face wears a slight frown as these words reach him near the back.

His manner seems ebulliant, and informal. He takes a sip of wine. "I made a bet in here with a certain man for this." He gestures to the pendant he wears. "I lost." He says, with a grin, and gestures to his dress. "But the gentleman was a good sport, and gave over the amulet anyway. Because Tymora favours the bold." He raises his goblet to Liam, who grins widely as attention is called to his presence, and offers a slight bow before returning to his casual leaning against the wall.

Then takes a sip. "I'm here to talk to you about Tymora."

He smirks. "Those who know me well know I rely on her much."

Then a teasing tone. "And I do not mean that my incompetance requires much blessing from her."

A pause. And he corrects. "I do not just mean that."

Ameris grins. "The truth is, in my homeland being bold is something of a national pasttime for those raised as me. The Tethyrian reaction to danger is to leap into it. Its said that when Crown Prince Rythan was told that his small army was outnumbered ten to one at the Battle of Nightflames, his command was simply to charge."

A proud, patriotic look.

It fades. "Of course, he, and most of his bodyguard, including mine own uncle, were wiped out, as the sorcery of Mulsparkh's armies set the odds against them even further. Else Tethyrian boldness would have prevailed."

He takes a gulp of wine. "But there is the thing. When we grieved for my uncle, each year on the anniversary of the battle, my father would bid me remember the beauty in his sacrifice, and his unwillingess to abandon the Prince; just as the Prince himself was unwilling to set aside his duty, despite the danger. That when a greater army swept south to set things right, afterwards, they had in their hearts the ideal and example of the Crown Prince and those who gathered round him. Such would have been lost, if they had not been bold."

He lets the silence settle a moment or two. His voice soft, and confessional at this stage. "I was raised to boldness, but did set it aside for many years, while I served the Broken God. I was a passive servant, a quiet one, as the weight of my sins was such that I forgot that lesson from my Uncle, and the Prince he served."

He looks about, and takes a sip. There is some passion in his voice now. "It is here that discovered boldness once more; in the first moment, when serving under Alexander Marshall within the Order of the Radiant Heart, during a great battle againts demihuman tribes blocking the trade way to the north, leading a charge at the hobgoblin catapults and very nearly, very nearly emulating Prince Rythan a little too much." He smirks but a moment at that.

"And then I embraced boldness. My Lord Ilmater commands his servants to take up the tasks that none others dare. This I did, in defiance of the judgment of peers and foes. I did it with boldness, and chose my foes with little reserve."

Ameris gestures to the pendant once more. "It was then I first heard the sweet song of the Harp, and of all the gods that bless those champions of freedom, Tymora is the one that has always spoken most to me, even beyond Mystra."

His hand falls from the pendant, a grim expression. "When I first fought foes whose weapons were shadows and lies, whose very secrecy defied the naked tyranny and fear that their gods stand for. When I began a year of pain and loss."

A wan smile. "Perhaps not an encouragement to boldness. But I am not yet done. Why do I speak of such things, one may ask, when I am here to speak of Lady Luck?"

His smile warms. "Because I am a happy man, now, because of Tymora's blessing. I am sure many of you here know I am married, and to whom; and from where she came, before she stepped into my arms."

He takes a gulp of his wine, setting down the goblet, pursing his lips when choosing his words. "I'd had love in my heart a long time for the Lord Magus, from before she ever was open with her evil, but denied it. I preferred to chase impossible shadows, as the reality she offered filled me with fear. I was not bold."

"We were foes before she left Darkhold. I saw her though, in secrecy, a month before she left. She came disguised to a masquerade in Beregost held by the Song of Morning Temple, seeking relief from the fear and horror of Darkhold. I went myself, in a rather poorer disguise."

He grins then, chuckling and speaking as if an aside. "I'm no actor."

"I did not know her at first, but I stepped with boldness and sought her company. I was surprised with what I learned, in time, and agreed to meet her afterwards. Again, a bold endeavour, one might say. One should say, in fact. She nearly killed me that night." He states this last as if a confession.

"But she didn't." He says with a smile.

"Thus, when I sought her out in the days that she was on the run, I did not know what I was trying to find. Was it a friend lost? A lover to be found? A snake of lies? Or merely my death and doom."

He smiles softly. "I did not dwell on what might be. I dwelt on what I hoped could be. So I rolled the dice."

He laughs, softly. "I'll not say that all in life has been wonderful since then, nor did a wicked woman become gentle overnight. Far from it. I will say that the things I cherish personally derive from that leap I took into the unknown, when I went to find her. It might be the Broken God that moves my heart to mercy; but it was Tymora's blessing I hoped for, when I stepped so."

He looks about, a warmth in his expression. "And I have been amply rewarded. I mean, even today..." He swirls his skirts.

"I'd never have picked a colour that compliments my eyes so well!"

He flutters his eyelashes and laughs.

"Tymora favours the bold; and such boldness, such hope, it changes the world."

He nods, and then moves off to refill his goblet as Liam strides up, slowly but purposefully, to take his place.

///posted in conjunction with Boddynock

[Boddynock]

Hidden: show

Ameris is seen entering the Temple of Tymora; perhaps an unremarkable thing. However, usually he is not wearing a woman's dress - unlike today. A fine green dress, hanging poorly on his muscular physique. He does not wear his holy symbol, instead a pendant marked with the symbol of the Harpers hanging around his neck.

Present is Liam the Golden, watching the proceedings wearing what could only be described as a smug grin.

After the priest has got himself a goblet of wine he calls for quiet, and then begins to speak, grinning widely.

"Admittedly I do not speak here often." He begins. "And alas I shall not be able to do so for some time in the future." Liam's face wears a slight frown as these words reach him near the back.

His manner seems ebulliant, and informal. He takes a sip of wine. "I made a bet in here with a certain man for this." He gestures to the pendant he wears. "I lost." He says, with a grin, and gestures to his dress. "But the gentleman was a good sport, and gave over the amulet anyway. Because Tymora favours the bold." He raises his goblet to Liam, who grins widely as attention is called to his presence, and offers a slight bow before returning to his casual leaning against the wall.

Then takes a sip. "I'm here to talk to you about Tymora."

He smirks. "Those who know me well know I rely on her much."

Then a teasing tone. "And I do not mean that my incompetance requires much blessing from her."

A pause. And he corrects. "I do not just mean that."

Ameris grins. "The truth is, in my homeland being bold is something of a national pasttime for those raised as me. The Tethyrian reaction to danger is to leap into it. Its said that when Crown Prince Rythan was told that his small army was outnumbered ten to one at the Battle of Nightflames, his command was simply to charge."

A proud, patriotic look.

It fades. "Of course, he, and most of his bodyguard, including mine own uncle, were wiped out, as the sorcery of Mulsparkh's armies set the odds against them even further. Else Tethyrian boldness would have prevailed."

He takes a gulp of wine. "But there is the thing. When we grieved for my uncle, each year on the anniversary of the battle, my father would bid me remember the beauty in his sacrifice, and his unwillingess to abandon the Prince; just as the Prince himself was unwilling to set aside his duty, despite the danger. That when a greater army swept south to set things right, afterwards, they had in their hearts the ideal and example of the Crown Prince and those who gathered round him. Such would have been lost, if they had not been bold."

He lets the silence settle a moment or two. His voice soft, and confessional at this stage. "I was raised to boldness, but did set it aside for many years, while I served the Broken God. I was a passive servant, a quiet one, as the weight of my sins was such that I forgot that lesson from my Uncle, and the Prince he served."

He looks about, and takes a sip. There is some passion in his voice now. "It is here that discovered boldness once more; in the first moment, when serving under Alexander Marshall within the Order of the Radiant Heart, during a great battle againts demihuman tribes blocking the trade way to the north, leading a charge at the hobgoblin catapults and very nearly, very nearly emulating Prince Rythan a little too much." He smirks but a moment at that.

"And then I embraced boldness. My Lord Ilmater commands his servants to take up the tasks that none others dare. This I did, in defiance of the judgment of peers and foes. I did it with boldness, and chose my foes with little reserve."

Ameris gestures to the pendant once more. "It was then I first heard the sweet song of the Harp, and of all the gods that bless those champions of freedom, Tymora is the one that has always spoken most to me, even beyond Mystra."

His hand falls from the pendant, a grim expression. "When I first fought foes whose weapons were shadows and lies, whose very secrecy defied the naked tyranny and fear that their gods stand for. When I began a year of pain and loss."

A wan smile. "Perhaps not an encouragement to boldness. But I am not yet done. Why do I speak of such things, one may ask, when I am here to speak of Lady Luck?"

His smile warms. "Because I am a happy man, now, because of Tymora's blessing. I am sure many of you here know I am married, and to whom; and from where she came, before she stepped into my arms."

He takes a gulp of his wine, setting down the goblet, pursing his lips when choosing his words. "I'd had love in my heart a long time for the Lord Magus, from before she ever was open with her evil, but denied it. I preferred to chase impossible shadows, as the reality she offered filled me with fear. I was not bold."

"We were foes before she left Darkhold. I saw her though, in secrecy, a month before she left. She came disguised to a masquerade in Beregost held by the Song of Morning Temple, seeking relief from the fear and horror of Darkhold. I went myself, in a rather poorer disguise."

He grins then, chuckling and speaking as if an aside. "I'm no actor."

"I did not know her at first, but I stepped with boldness and sought her company. I was surprised with what I learned, in time, and agreed to meet her afterwards. Again, a bold endeavour, one might say. One should say, in fact. She nearly killed me that night." He states this last as if a confession.

"But she didn't." He says with a smile.

"Thus, when I sought her out in the days that she was on the run, I did not know what I was trying to find. Was it a friend lost? A lover to be found? A snake of lies? Or merely my death and doom."

He smiles softly. "I did not dwell on what might be. I dwelt on what I hoped could be. So I rolled the dice."

He laughs, softly. "I'll not say that all in life has been wonderful since then, nor did a wicked woman become gentle overnight. Far from it. I will say that the things I cherish personally derive from that leap I took into the unknown, when I went to find her. It might be the Broken God that moves my heart to mercy; but it was Tymora's blessing I hoped for, when I stepped so."

He looks about, a warmth in his expression. "And I have been amply rewarded. I mean, even today..." He swirls his skirts.

"I'd never have picked a colour that compliments my eyes so well!"

He flutters his eyelashes and laughs.

"Tymora favours the bold; and such boldness, such hope, it changes the world."

He nods, and then moves off to refill his goblet as Liam strides up, slowly but purposefully, to take his place.

///posted in conjunction with Boddynock

Liam takes a position in front of those gathered, gazing at the faces of the crowd one by one, eyes glittering gold like the coins so many have been wagering here tonight. His wide grin slowly fades to a more severe look, as he continues to watch the crowd. The general din of merriment fades as Liam's stern gaze demands ever more attention, eventually those gathered fall silent in anticipation, and perhaps even a bit of discomfort as they are fixed by that golden-eyed stare.

Finally, his unmistakable baritone rings out across the room with a single question,

"Why are we here?!"

The phrase hangs in the air like a challenge as Liam goes silent again for a moment, letting the words sink in.

"Why are we here?" he asks again, pausing only briefly this time before continuing on.

"I know why Ameris is here, as do you, since he told us. He is here to talk to us about Tymora's blessings. He is here because I asked him to be here, because I hoped he would tell the story he did...and an inspiring one it is." he grins slightly, "And he is here because he lost a bet." Ameris grins a bit at this.

Liam walks over to the altar and picks up a single gold coin, turning to lean against the altar he flips it in the air absentmindedly, his gaze sweeping the room as he goes on.

"And, he is wearing women's clothing because I won a bet." Ameris can be heard laughing, as Liam cocks his head briefly in thought. "But the reality of it is, we are both here because we dared to bet in the first place. We put some small part of ourselves on the line and let Tymora decide the fate, and for that we are both blessed. Ameris in ways he has just described, and myself perhaps by his willingness to speak..." a sly grin cracks his face in two here "...and a little bit blessed by getting to see him prance about in a dress."

Liam flips the coin high into the air and over his head, and it clangs down onto the altar as he strides away, the sharp sound piercing the uncommonly silent temple like a cymbal.

"But what of you all? Why are you here?" The challenge rings out again, the question burrowing into the thoughts of the petitioners, insisting on being heard as the bard begins to weave his Art into his oration ever so slightly, his voice carrying out over the sea of faces as his tempo and volume grow in a drawn out crescendo...

"This city, no, the Sword Coast has for years now been a locus of grand calamity. Hordes of nameless beasts in countless number ravage the lands, orcs roam the north leaving a trail of devastation of bloodshed, even our own fair city has been ravaged by undead minions and great evil dragons. A necromancer makes use of undead to abscond from a sentencing with a prisoner, and when you stop and think for just a moment..."

The crescendo stops briefly here, as Liam pokes at his temple furiously at the word think before going on.

"One can only surmise that the foul gaze of Beshaba has been drawn to our lands. Her mere glance withering crops and fouling well waters...the trail of her eyes on our lands glowing like a beacon for evil and suffering to follow to our very doorstep. And yet here we sit whiling away the hours with games and drink. So I ask again, WHY ARE YOU HEAR!?"

The last phrase resounds through the chamber like the tolling of a great bell; it sinks into the very bones of those who hear it as the force of the vibrations cause the coins on the table to rattle ever so slightly. Liam stands in the center of the room now, silent, head hung low as he lets onlookers consider the question. After a moment he looks up again, his questions quiet in the aftermath of his booming inquiries.

"You are here to gain the favor of The Lady Who Smiles, but the first words of her teachings tell us that "One should be bold, for to be bold is to live" and yet you sit here gambling away mere wealth thinking it will gain you some measure of our lady's grace?"

His voice is wildly incredulous, and quickly changes to challenging. Ameris, for his part, watches with curiosity, and some surprise.

"I say no. I say that is not enough to stem the tide of Beshaba's evil. I say that when Tymora say "bold" it means a little more than a game of dice." Liam suddenly affixes Ameris with a finger. "Being bold is hoping, as Ameris did, that your actions will bear good fruit, but expecting them not to, and then doing it anyway. Being bold is seeing what is right and good and true and rallying to the cause, knowing the odds are stacked against you. Being bold is seeing that one little glimmer of hope clutched in the grasp of the foulest evil and charging in to save it on the smallest chance that you just might succeed..."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes glimmering with a fervent golden fire.

"Being bold, my friends, is simply just seeing what needs to be done and trying to do it, consequences be damned. That is what is meant by "being bold." It is precisely that sort of courage of the heart that these lands so desperately need now. And I charge each and every one of you with leading by that example. Leave the temple today with Tymora in your hearts. Leave here today looking for a wrong to right. Leave here today bold men and women. Leave here today leaving your fears and worries behind; give them up to Tymora and replace them with faith in her. And leave here today knowing that it takes but one seemingly random act of goodness to change the lives of many for the better."

His face splits into a slow grin as he finishes, remaining silent as the he allows for everything to grow accustomed to what has just happened. He walks slowly towards the door as the minds of Tymora's petitioners have to adjust to make room for this new and different thing, this idea that boldness requires action, and that each and every one of us is called to serve.

As he walks, Ameris bellows out "Well said!" and begins applause.

((Perform Roll: 93 (Witnessed by Creo) ))

[arakes99]

Hosted by the Darius Holding Company and Ashan Wayne, the headmaster of
The Bladestone Foundation, a new school for swordsmanship, soldiering, and
training for warriors of all types and alliances
based out of Baldur’s Gate.

Come and join in the festivities tomorrow in Triel and show ye skill with the blade, shield, axe or dagger.

All are welcome and ye support will help arm and train new warriors to the area
in preperation for troubles that may come.

An entry fee of three bags for each elite, two bags for each intermediate and
one bag for beginners will be used for the school and prizes for each bracket.

((Saturday 9/10 at 19:00 GMT / 3PM EST in Triel on top of the hill. 3000 gold for level 21+, 2000 gold for 11-20, 1000 gold for under. Tournament rules will be similar to other recent and past tournaments and posted at the event. All factions and alignments welcome!))

[Kagger911]

A tiefling, that has been seeing lurking around Gullykin, is now nailing up a sign on the bulletin board.



Finishing, he packs up and begins hoofing it back to Gullykin.

///Thieve's Cant

[Progressive-Psy]

Fingal Darius and several others were seen at Elfsong today, Fingal was in a very good mood, and talked about how happy and proud he was of Talas for winning the intermediate bracket at the tournament held by Ashan in Triel. He was also going on about how happy he was about that the Darius Holding Company decided to work with Ashan on this and help him get started so he can run his academy

[DM Lobo]

The Flaming Fist have put out a public notice freeing Terri Lalani of all charges,

I want to write a public letter as it seems there are a few rumors spreading that I must address first - we are not paying for mercenaries nor are we working with any third party guilds.

Two of our squads who were believed to have gone AWOL recently recovered two Mindflayer corpses from the city sewers -- who were controling several of our officers and council members. The evidence related to Terri Lalani's trial was therefore tampered with and a false jury was issued -- though we are aware Terri's charges regarding the red dragon and bringing it into our city still stand, until further notice all charges are to be dropped.

We are still looking for the Necromancer who was resonsible for capturing Terri after the trial, we believe she is the one who summoned the undead. Any information leading to her capture will be rewarded - she is believed to be highly dangerous, wears black and has pale skin.

Finally I wish to stress that the Flaming Fist are as strong and reliable as ever, I also wish to assure you that we are not corrupt and have not been paid off. The city is secure. We are also dealing with the red dragon threat and investigating the Soul Gem.

Regards,
Captain Beluarion

[TarnishedSoul]

Nearly six years after the last time Candlekeep hosted the general public for a storytelling festival, prominently placed announcements herald the revival of the much-loved tradition under the direction of Guide Alexandra Keenan.

(( Click here to contact Solwyn Astorio! ))

[Boddynock]

A tall, golden man in blue and silver laquered plate of mail climbs the stairs to the announcer's pulpit in the East Gate District. He looks out over the general bustle of the city of Baldur's Gate, catching the attention of some and holding it like it always belonged to him. His presence in front of the great throng of people is natural, even perhaps commanding as more and more citizens look up to where he stands. His eyes glitter like golden coins as he scans the mass of people before finally speaking up, his voice ringing out clearly over the din of business and revelry, the delivery is vaguely melodic and quite deliberate.


Fire and hammer forge the steel and the sword,
That time and neglect rust away.

Without loving attention, oil and polish,
The carpenter's craft will decay.

A garden untended, with no one around,
Will soon be choked out by weeds.

The common theme here, is for things to flourish,
One must attend to it's needs.

And if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right,
Even should it take extra time.

This applies to all things, even you and I,
And that's quite the point of this rhyme.

Many of us, are simply contented to live,
Caring for only ourselves and those close.

That's not good enough now, not anymore,
Not with the evil that threatens our coast.

Darkness encroaches, an ill forecast foreboding,
The evil of misfortune's whim.

It will take all of our faith to push back this blight,
So I urge you take heed of this hymn.

Set a course on your future, don't let circumstance stay you,
Forge on in Tymora's name.

Fear not for the danger, hold true to her teachings,
And a portion of her luck you can claim.

If we all band together, start living the example,
By living bold and true to our hearts.

We can push back, 'gainst the Maid of Misfortune,
And force her from this coast to depart.

And if you look inside, and find your heart's calling,
Is service to the Lady Who Smiles.

Come to her temple, the Lady's Hall,
Stay, talk, and visit a while.

[Silver_Lining]

Posted by the docks, around town, and at the FAI is the following notice:

[Ithilan]

a woman dressed in a blue robe of marsember silk is seen departing the north gate along side a hooded man, the wagon by the two is fully loaded with all manner of possesions from books to weapons. Shandril dips her head to a guard after a brief exchange as the two horses begin pulling the wagon northwards.

[LISA100595]

*Lady Elvina sends a private sealed letter in flowing script to the leaders of the Lord's Alliance, Lord Piergeiron and Blackstaff Khelben Arunsun. The letter is sealed with the Order of the Silver Rose Insignia, a shield with crossed swords and a silver rose overlay. The Knights delivering the letter would wait there for a response. A copy of this letter is also sent to the Leaders of the other factions listed.*