DM Rumors of Baldur's Gate

[DM Golem]

Shocked nobles, staying at the Helm & Cloak as repairs are underway on their mansions damaged during the war, speak of a burglary at the Inn. Apparently one night recently thieves made off with coin, fine wine, expensive victuals and some sumptuous crystal goblets.

The management are said to be livid, although far worse, in the minds of the noble guests, are the shocking pewter goblets now being offered as a temporary stopgap, and the scarcity of Calimsharian Amber.

One noble in particular is seen ranting long and loud at a beleaguered member of the staff about how his prized magical quill, placed in the basement for safekeeping, has gone missing.

[DM Ninox]

A dwarven caravan consisting of no less than eight dwarves, bearing the banner of Kraak Helzak, arrived from the north today. They met with a man who introduced himself as Trenton Leichhardt, chief structural engineer of Baldur's Gate, and the group of them made their way into the palace district. After spending some time in the Helm & Cloak in private discussion, the dwarves were given a thorough tour of the damaged portions of the city, especially the northern wall and the Eastern Gate. The dwarves then went to spend the rest of their time having their fill of amber swill in the local taverns.

[DM Arrakeen]

Two days ago a badly beaten up half-elf warehouse worker has been dropped at the Ilmatari Temple by an elven woman. This victim suffered serious injuries including broken and dislocated jaw, bruises and a serious concussion. His recovery will be slow and most likely a lengthy process. For now, the poor man is still unable to speak.

[DM Ditto]

In what some deem either a gross miscarriage of justice or a testament to the city's current beleaguered state, the scuttlebutt slithers through the city: Azune Kadross, a halfling criminal convicted of impersonating a Flaming Fist, was sentenced to a year of community service to Baldur's Gate and the adjoining farmlands, obligated to help restore the city and lands torn by the war that happened so recently, and subject to monthly reports to the Flaming Fist.

It is news not greeted with open arms. The eyes on the halfling walking the streets are untrusting. Parents hold their children close, or deliberately skirt away. The Flaming Fist and City Watch, given an accurate description of the probated criminal, regard her with deep suspicion, simply waiting for an excuse to deliver the justice they'd prefer.

Not all of the reception is condemnation. Able bodies and able hands would be better put forth serving the city than rotting in prison or placed under the guillotine, some say. Maybe she will find a purpose helping the city this way, and everyone deserves a chance.

Once a criminal, always a criminal, others say, and the halfling didn't seem to look too remorseful. What's to say that another crime wouldn't happen again, another insult to the Flaming Fist, much closer to home this time?

Either way, only time will vindicate a side of the gossip.

[DM Pancake]

There was a somewhat vocal scene in the streets of Baldur's Gate, East Gate district, as a contracted builder that was working late shouted out a group of adventurers over the sanctity of the house he was working on. The adventuring party seemed abnormally interested in the house, and kept searching it before the incident, much to the worksman's building irritation.

[DM Ninox]

For reasons unknown to most, the dwarven engineering team has been seen withdrawing from Baldur's Gate and leaving once again for the north. They left one diplomatic representative behind to liaise with the city's Chief Engineer about their future works and proposed aid.

In the mean time, teams of mostly human construction labourers have begun constructing cranes and scaffolding around the palace district walls in preparation for its repair and rebuilding.

[DM Dialectic]

An announcement is made that a Duchal Court hosted by the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate is to be held at the Duchal Palace in Baldur's Gate on the 15th of Mirtul six hours after mid-day.

-All organizations wishing to attend will only be able to bring two participants each, with one speaking and one only observing.
-Participating organizations must apply for their two spots before the court is held.
-It is also expected that all speakers need to send in their outlined speaking agenda to Grand Narhelm, Herald of the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, before the court is held.
-Only two topics may be raised by each speaker in the interests of an orderly court.
-A open question and answer session may be held during the court, but only if the Grand Dukes decide it is prudent to do so.

The Grand Dukes will also have a special Baldurian advisor attending to brief the court on some recent developments.

((Duchal Court event to be held on Sunday, May 15 at 18:00 GMT at the Duchal Palace in Baldur's Gate. If your organization would like to have two attend, one as a speaker and the other as observing, please post your IC application at the link here (http://bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=132&p=657765#p657765) in letter form addressed to Grand Narhelm, Herald of the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, along with the applying speaker's outline of the two topics to be discussed.))

[DM Golem]

A knight, dusty from the road and long journey, is seen arriving at the Temple of Torm in the city, and spending time kneeling before the altar in prayer.

Unremarkable, perhaps, barring the reverence with which the clergy, and the parishoners, treat the man.

For it is said this is the famed knight and Sword of Torm Horatio Redfern, known as The Trueblade, hailing from the Halls of Justice in Sundabar.

He spends the day in vigil.

[DM Arrakeen]

From the 1352 Campaign Forum: Intrigues of the Sword Coast

Rumor has it that a group of vigilantes broke into a small pastry and jam shop in the harbor district the other day. Allegedly the business has been a cover for some illegal activities. Fist and City Watch have been notified and brought to the scene where they secured some valuables.

Food supplies found at the shop were later delivered at the Orphanage as a donation. City Watch made sure that flour, jams, eggs, milk and other goods were checked and safe to utilize.

Among stolen belongings a group of children was found in a hideout behind the pastry and jam shop. Seven, unconscious younglings were brought by the concerned vigilantes to the Temple of Ilmater.

[DM Golem]

A knight, dusty from the road and long journey, is seen arriving at the Temple of Torm in the city, and spending time kneeling before the altar in prayer.

Unremarkable, perhaps, barring the reverence with which the clergy, and the parishoners, treat the man.

For it is said this is the famed knight and Sword of Torm Horatio Redfern, known as The Trueblade, hailing from the Halls of Justice in Sundabar.

He spends the day in vigil.

Sir Redfern is seen leaving the Temple of Torm and meeting with the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary as they prepare for an expedition south. He leaves with them, five paladins in all.

Some time later, the fallen body of Sir Redfern is brought back to the city to be laid in state in the Temple of Torm, under the watchful eye of the priests of Torm. It is said that for the first few hours a holy light bathed the corpse, and indeed a soft smile is on his lips.

The Tormtar relate the tale that Sir Redfern was on a quest for penance and atonement, and achieved it with the virtuous aid of the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary, when bringing swift death to a band of the cursed drow in tunnels beneath the tradeway south of the Chionthar.

Sir Redfern's body will be in the temple until comrades from the Halls of Justice in Sundabar come to retrieve it.

[DM Galatea]

Word spreads throughout the streets of a large force of heavily armoured holy men and women descending into the sewers. They emerge many hours later, battered but elated.

In the days that follow, the commonly reported losses of children and young destitutes into the sewers dwindle to nothingness. The sewers have become notably safer for its populace of vagabonds and waifs. It is clear that they had something to do with this.

[DM Pancake]

Lately, the taverns and inns of the city have had to play host for previous poor homeless people that seem to have come into some money of their own. As it stands, the smell of sewage is rather prominent even from those that have been convinced to take a bath. Many of them toasts drunkenly to 'the kind lady' and her brother, whomever they might be. Seldom are names mentioned but claims that even those that looks like devils can be kind beyond reason.

[DM Galatea]

Those who venture into the Fields of the Dead are warned to travel lightly as the dead have awoken and in numbers. The rotating Fist guard have been told to keep their own profile low on their few ventures into the outskirts, after rumours of a magical siege taking place having riled up the dead. While travel in small numbers seems to be possible, the roaming troops of powerful dead which swarm through the awakened corpse lands rove too and fro, cutting down anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in their way.

[Flasmix]

A body of young man has been found in the East Gate district. The corpse was tortured extensively and showed signs of cuts, burns and broken bones and a missing scalp. It was found in the alley beside the temple of Ilmater, having been dropped from a cart by a cloaked figure. It was taken inside of the temple for an autopsy to be performed.

Stories of the reknowned serial murderer 'James the Barber' begin to spread from tavern patrons to parents scaring their kids. James is said to have hundreds of murders under his belt and travels the cities of the Coast leaving a bloody trail of corpses in his wake. His trademark is cutting the scalp off his victims.

[Flasmix]

Almost five hundred people gathered to bear witness to the sermon of Brother Ameris of the Temple of Ilmater. The crowd huddled together tightly to be able to hear the priest speak. A vial of potent Alchemist Fire was hurled into the middle of a large group of citizens. Over sixty men, women and children lost their lives. Most of the bodies were missing limbs or carried hideous disfigurement to make identification near impossible. The streets were a chaotic mess afterwards, with the survivors fleeing and screaming to their homes. A group of adventurers took the wounded to the Temple of Ilmater while others stayed back to help clean up the dead. One, notable figure, being the golden haired Liam, leading the effort to clean the streets of the hideous scene.

The few that survived, close to ten, take shelter at the Temple of Ilmater where they're healed, monitored and fed.

The city watch has begun hanging bounty notices for the criminal known as 'James the Barber'. The same serial killer who is suspected of leaving a body by the Temple of Ilmater less than a week ago. Information shows that he's a known serial killer who appears in cities and villages after they've been devastated by a crisis of sorts. He is known to target the poor, homeless and those who help them. The Barber is said to be responsible for the attack which took place. The current reward is 20 bags of coin.

As the dust begins to settle, the homeless and poor stay in their homes or shelters. Most are too frightened to leave as they fear they'll be the next victims of The Barber.