Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate, also called simply the Gate, was a metropolis and city-state on the Sword Coast on the north-eastern border of the Western Heartlands. With a population that exceeded that of Waterdeep, was an important merchant city on the Sword Coast. Its strong watch and the presence of the powerful Flaming Fists mercenary company kept the city generally peaceful and safe.

Geography
Baldur's Gate was located on the north bank of the River Chionthar about 20 miles (32 km) east from its mouth on the Sea of Swords. It was located to the south of the great city-state of Waterdeep, north of Amn along the well-traveled Coast Way road.

Demonym
People and things from Baldur's Gate were known as "Baldurian". The term "Balduran" was never used—misusing the founder's name even like this was a grave insult to his memory and the city alike.

Government
Baldur's Gate was once ruled by four grand dukes, the Council of Four. Shortly before the Spellplague, the rulers included Duke Eltan, the then leader of the Flaming Fists; Belt, a powerful warrior and divine spellcaster; Liia Jannath, a mage; and Entar Silvershield, the richest man in Baldur's Gate at the time, but also a strong warrior in his own right. The Council was also part of the Lords' Alliance, which included Waterdeep and Silverymoon, among others.

After an attempted coup by former Grand Duke Velarken, Baldur's Gate's government underwent a major restructure and the new Baldurian Parliament elected the Dukes. In the 1480s DR, it was ruled by Grand Duke Portyr at the behest of the Baldurian Parliament. This changed again however, sometime before 1489 DR, as the Council of Four was reinstated, served by the legislative body known as the Parliament of Peers.


 * Pre-Spellplague (up to 1385 DR):
 * Grand Dukes Eltan, Belt, Entar Silvershield and Grand Duchess Liia Jannath.


 * Post-Spellplague (after 1480 DR):
 * Grand Dukes Abdel Adrian, Dillard Portyr, Torlin Silvershield and Belynne Stelmane


 * Late 15 century (after 1489 DR):
 * Grand Dukes Dillard Portyr, Ulder Ravengard, Belynne Stelmane, and Thalamra Vanthampur

Foreign Relations
While in office, Grand Duke Portyr and the Baldurian Parliament were uninterested in involving Baldur's Gate in the affairs of others. For the most part, the city was respected as a neutral power in relation to the other states of the Sword Coast and the Western Heartlands, a reputation it earned in part through its open door policy towards refugees during the fallout of the Spellplague. Perhaps more importantly, Baldur's Gate, while undoubtedly a rich prize, was so well-defended by its massive walls and well-trained Flaming Fists protectors that few would ever seriously consider invading and occupying the city.

Historically, Baldur's Gate has had a long enmity with its southern neighbor, Amn, which nearly resulted in war during the iron crisis of 1368 DR. In 1479 DR, however, the only major threats to Baldur's Gate were the pirates operating out of the ruins of Luskan or the merchants of Waterdeep, who resented the city's growing wealth and power. Baldur's Gate had allies in the Lords' Alliance and the nation of Elturgard.

Trade
Baldur's Gate was the greatest center of trade along the entire Sword Coast, out-competing both Waterdeep and Amn around 1479 DR.

In 1368 DR, stone was usually imported from Mirabar via Luskan for use in construction, having been magically transported. This was an expensive process.

Baldur's Gate contained a very effective thieves' guild, as well as a powerful and honest mercantile guild, the Merchant's League. Additionally, the Knights of the Shield and the Knights of the Unicorn were both active in the city. Various thieves guilds had risen and fallen in Baldur's Gate, including Xantam's Guild and the Hands of Glory. Since the fall of both in 1374 DR, new thieves' guilds arose.

History
In ancient times, the seafaring human hero Balduran returned from Anchorome with great wealth. Balduran used this wealth to build a wall at the end of the Chionthar river. Balduran later vanished, never to return. After Balduran vanished, local farmers took control of the wall and begin to tax sailors arriving. The sailors overthrew the ruthless farmers and the four eldest took control, calling themselves "dukes."

Since its founding, the city of Baldur's Gate grew immensely, from a few shanty huts aside a walled fortress to a sprawling city stretching across its neighboring regions.

Eventually, the city came to be called Baldur's Gate and was led by the Council of Four, the Four Grand Dukes of the City. The inner portions of the city were divided into Bloomridge, where the wealthy lived, and the Twin Songs, the homes of the sailors and the clerics. The city became the most powerful force in the Western Heartlands and joined the Lords' Alliance. The city was only recorded to have been called upon by the Alliance once, in 1235 DR, when the Black Horde attempted to invade. They sent their top military general, Eldrith, to drive them off. While she experienced victory at first, she would eventually betray Baldur's Gate and be killed (but later resurrected) in the Marsh of Chelimber by Baldurian forces.

The Flaming Fists began operating in Baldur's Gate in the early 14th century DR. Midway through the century, in 1356 DR, the adventurers Drizzt Do'Urden and Wulfgar came to the city seeking their friend Regis. Then, in 1368 DR, the Bhaalspawn Sarevok Anchev orchestrated a major conspiracy to send the city to war with Amn. The plan failed and within two years all Bhaalspawn were killed due to the actions of Baldurian Abdel Adrian.

A guild of thieves, Xantam's Guild, moved into Baldur's Gate early in 1374 DR. Three adventurers, Vahn, Kromlech, and Adrianna arrived and defeated the thieves guild. Joined by the Harpers, they discovered the thieves guild to be only part of a larger plan involving Eldrith the Betrayer. After defeating Eldrith, they discovered the plan to have become more complex with the evil alchemist Mordoc SeLanmere getting involved. However, Mordoc too was defeated.

In the year 1384 DR, the Grand Duke Valarken, along with General Ikhal, attempted to usurp the leadership of Baldur's Gate. The failure of his attack led to the dissolution of the Baldurian police and the Council of Four. In its place, the Flaming Fists and the Baldurian Parliament came to rule. In the following year, the Realms suffered the Spellplague, a situation that would double Baldur's Gate's area and triple its population.

Baldur's Gate was able to adapt to the change and experienced relative peace until the year 1437 DR when the elfsong returned to the Elfsong Tavern with an undead crisis, as well as worsening relations with Elturgard and the stealing of a Tome of Cyric. All of these crises were considered minor when General Ikhal returned with a lycanthrope army far greater than the army of Baldur's Gate. The Flaming Fists resolved the conflict. Following the death of the previous Flaming Fist Marshal and Duke at the hands of Valarken, Abdel Adrian replaced him in both positions.

By 1479 DR, Baldur's Gate was Faerûn's most powerful and important city, and it was once again stable. At this time, it was no longer bothered by Valarken and Amn. It maintained a positive relationship with the nation of Elturgard and the other regions in the Western Heartlands. However, the expansion proved to turn the city on its heels, threatening to send it into civil war.

Upper City
The Upper City consisted of four districts: Citadel Streets, Manorborn, the Temples District and the Wide. The district of Blackgate, located outside the city walls, extended north from the Black Dragon Gate. Black Dragon Gate &bull; Citadel Gate
 * Landmarks:
 * High Hall: Palace of the Grand Dukes in the northern section of the city.
 * Watch Citadel:
 * Places of Worship:
 * High House of Wonders: Temple of Gond located in the northern part of the city not far from the High Hall.
 * Hall of Wonders:
 * Lady's Hall: Temple of Tymora located in the northern part of the city.
 * Rose Portal: Shrine of Lathander.
 * Unrolling Scroll: Shrine of Oghma.
 * Watchful Shield: Shrine of Helm.
 * Residences:
 * Silvershield Estate
 * Shops:
 * Harbreeze Bakery:
 * Taverns & Inns:
 * Helm and Cloak: An expensive but well-rated feasting hall popular with both locals and travelers alike. Its upper floor was also rented out to the vast majority of the Knights of the Unicorn.
 * Purple Wyrm Inn and Tavern: A tavern much compared to the Elfsong, but it was more commonly used by merchants and those seeking adventure.
 * Three Old Kegs: Highly comfortable but only slightly expensive, the Three Old Kegs was perhaps the most highly rated establishment in Baldur's Gate.
 * Gates:

Lower City
The Lower City was the largest portion of Baldur's Gate fully contained within the walls. It had six districts: Seatower, Bloomridge, the Steeps, Heapside, Eastway and Brampton. Tumbledown extended south from the road leading out of Cliffgate. Sea Gate &bull; Manor Gate &bull; Gond Gate &bull; Baldur's Gate &bull; Heap Gate
 * Landmarks:
 * Baldur's Mouth:
 * Gray Harbor: Baldur's Gate had a large and busy harbor that opened up into the River Chionthar. The harbor was closed after sunset, after which no ships could tie up. Latecomers had to wait out in the river until sunrise.
 * Harbormaster's Office:
 * Hissing Stones Bathhouse
 * Seatower of Balduran: Defensive structure on an island in the harbor.
 * Mercantile:
 * Counting House: A moneylender on the docks along the waterfront specializing in the trade of coins, gems, and valuables.
 * Garmult's House of Mastery:
 * Shops:
 * Candlekeep Chandlery:
 * Candulhallows Funeral Arrangements:
 * Felogyr's Fireworks:
 * Sorcerous Sundries: A shop near the eastern gate that stocked all sorts of arcane supplies, from spell components to magical items.
 * Places of Worship:
 * Shrine of the Suffering: Shrine of Ilmater.
 * Water Queen's House: Temple of Umberlee located in the northern docklands along the waterfront.
 * Residences:
 * Mandorcai's Mansion: A beautiful manor located in Bloomridge and owned by the tiefling Mandorcai.
 * Taverns & Inns:
 * Blade and Stars: A quiet inn known for its high-quality foodstuffs.
 * Blushing Mermaid: Located in the north-eastern section of Baldur's Gate, the Blushing Mermaid was an establishment known for its status as a hub of illicit business.
 * Elfsong Tavern: A tavern in the southeast near the eastern gate known best for its strange haunting, a ghostly elven voice of unidentified origin that could be heard singing quietly at night. The trademark song faded in 1374 DR, only to return in 1437 DR with regular administration.
 * Splurging Sturgeon: Located a bit south from the Blushing Mermaid, the Splurging Sturgeon was a small but well-known establishment.
 * Gates:

Outer City
The Outer City of Baldur's Gate was comprised of the buildings that surrounded the mountain easy of the city walls. It had seven districts: Stonyeyes, Tumbledown, Norchapel, Little Calimshan, Whitkeep, Sow's Foot and Twin Songs.
 * Mercantile:
 * The Calim Jewel Emporium:
 * Shops:
 * Garmult's House of Mastery:
 * Hamhocks Slaughterhouse:

Wyrm's Crossing

 * Shops:
 * Danthelon's Dancing Axe:

Appearances

 * Novels:
 * The Halfling's Gem
 * The Stowaway
 * The Shadowmask
 * Under Fallen Stars
 * The Silent Blade
 * Baldur's Gate


 * Games:
 * Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
 * Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
 * Baldur's Gate
 * Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn


 * Adventures:
 * Murder in Baldur's Gate


 * Comics:
 * Legends of Baldur's Gate