Flaming Fist

The Flaming Fist, or Flaming Fists, was a mercenary company based in the city of Baldur's Gate on the Sword Coast, where its members served as city guards. They were one of the most powerful and expensive fighting forces in all the Realms during the 14 century DR.

While the Fist's base of operations was in the city of Baldur's Gate, they had other forts and establishments in Anchorome, Chult and Tethyr. The latter of which proved to be a source for recent hires by Duke Eltan during their decades-long civil war. They also worked outside the city and their forts; their sphere of influence extending just south of Beregost but stopping before Nashkel.

Forces
As of the year 1358 DR, the Flaming Fist consisted of:
 * 20 rangers who acted as their forward scouts
 * 35 rogues and assassins
 * 10 monks of Helm
 * 5 wizards outfitted with magical items by Moruene
 * 200 clerics of Tempus, Tymora and Helm
 * 200 mounted warriors, armed with plate mail, enchanted weapons and magical rings
 * 1500 mounted fighters, armored in chain and banded mail

In addition to their fighting force, the Flaming Fist kept 4,000 horses, over 3,000 pack mules to carry their equipment and haul away looted treasure. They typically brought along 9 wagons, packed with weapons, food and drink, medical supplies and siege weaponry. The wagons were well-armored, lined with dragonhide to offer protection from fire, offering a protective barrier from which the Fist's archers could fire their arrows.

Leadership
During the 1300s, the company was led by 10 senior officers which included the master-tactician Scar, the powerful mage Moruene and the company's founder and leader, Grand Duke Eltan.

The other leaders included Beluarion, Kulurauk, Bellan, Nenon, Koruelve, Desedrak and Yulimtul. These high-ranking Flaming Fist officers served as commanders on the battlefield, bodyguards during intense, high-risk negotiations and often as a protective bulwark for Eltan and Moruene when they forayed into combat.

During the late 1400s Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard served as the Marshal of the Flaming Fist.

Ranks
By the late 1480s or early 1490s DR, only six ranks were recognized within the Flaming Fist: fist (private), gauntlet (corporal), manip (sergeant), flame (lieutenant), blaze (major), and marshal (general).

History
The Flaming Fist Mercenary Company, as it was then called, was founded in the 1330s DR by Eltan, a formidable fighter and Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate.

During the Horde Wars, 300 members were hired out by Sembia.

While Tethyr was leaderless during the Tethyrian Interregnum, Duke Eltan hired out small squads of the Fist at a greatly discounted rate. It was believed that he did so in hopes of being invited to the Tethyrian Court, and sought to establish a dependent state over which he would have control.

By 1479 DR the Flaming Fists had changed from a mercenary group to the police and military force of Baldur's Gate.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Spawn of Dragonspear
 * Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad
 * Baldur's Gate novelization


 * Games
 * Baldur's Gate
 * Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear