Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate is a metropolis in the Western Heartlands. Baldur's Gate is a coastal city on the north bank of the river Chiontar, to the south of the great city-state of Waterdeep and to the north of the country of Amn. It is located along the well-travelled Coast Way road.

General
This wealthy port metropolis, with over 42,000 inhabitants (although that almost doubles in the summer months), is an important merchant city on the Sword Coast. Its strong Watch and the presence of the powerful Flaming Fist mercenary company keep the city generally peaceful and safe.

The city's unique shape, curved around its harbor, gives the city the poetic appearance of a crescent moon. The docks and shipping facilities are among the most efficient in the land, a testament to the importance of shipping to the city. A large open marketplace, called The Wide, dominates the northeast portion of the walled city, and other large structures include The High Hall, seat of the city government, the High House of Wonders, a large temple to Gond, and the Seatower of Balduraan, a small fortress in the center of the harbor.

To keep vermin from spreading too much into the city proper, cats are bred and encouraged to roam the city.

History
The city takes its name from the great seafaring hero Balduran. Long ago, Balduran sailed to the fabled Anchorome and returned with great wealth which was used to build the wall around what became Baldur's Gate. He left the city again, presumably to return to Anchorome, but never returned.

At the time, the growing town was controlled by local farmers who mercilessly taxed incoming shipments. This infuriated ship captains, who believed that since the harbor wasn't walled in, its traffic should not be taxed, and they eventually overthrew the farmers. The four eldest captains ruled the city together, and jokingly called themselves "dukes," which stuck.

Government
Baldur's Gate is ruled by four grand dukes, the Council of Four. The current rulers include Duke Eltan, leader of the Flaming Fist, Belt, a powerful warrior and divine spellcaster, Liia Jannath, a mage, and Entar Silvershield, the richest man in Baldur's Gate, but also a strong warrior in his own right. The Council is part of the Lords' Alliance, which includes Waterdeep and Silverymoon, among others.

Baldur's Gate contains a very effective Thieves Guild, as well as a powerful and honest Merchant's League. Additionally, the Knights of the Shield and the Knights of the Unicorn are both active in the city. Various thieves guilds have risen and fallen in Baldur's Gate including Xantam's Guild and the Hands of Glory.

Places of interest

 * Taverns
 * The Blushing Mermaid
 * Elfsong Tavern
 * Splurging Sturgeon
 * Inns
 * The Helm and Cloak
 * It is rumoured that hidden inside the inn are hidden the helm and cloak of Balduran himself.
 * Three Old Kegs
 * The Blade and Stars
 * Purple Wyrm Inn
 * Manors
 * Bloodmire Manor
 * Firewind Manor (formerly House Felldane)
 * Omduil's Manor
 * Temples
 * The Hall of Wonders (temple of Gond)
 * The Water-Queen's House (temple of Umberlee)
 * The Lady's Hall (temple of Tymora)
 * Church of Helm

Computer games

 * Baldur's Gate - Following the Time of Troubles, the city is on the brink of war with Amn, though noone knows exactly why.
 * Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance - A trio of adventurers prevent Eldrith the Betrayer, Mistress of the Onyx Tower, from sending her army of minions into Baldur's Gate, as well as managing to destroy the Tower itself. In the sequel, Mordoc Selamere uses his minions to successfully coerce the Harpers to enable the return of the Onyx Tower. Mordoc then is able to teleport the Onyx Tower into Baldur's Gate, and both Mordoc and the Onyx Tower must be destroyed so life can return to normal in the city.

Novels and Modules

 * Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood, "Forgotten Realms Adventures", 1990, ISBN 0-88038-828-5
 * Ed Greenwood, "Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast", 1994, ISBN 1-56076-904-1
 * Philip Athans, "Baldur's Gate", 1999, ISBN 0-7869-1525-0
 * Philip Athans, "Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn", 2000, ISBN 0-7869-1569-2
 * Drew Karpyshyn, "Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal", 2001, ISBN 0-7869-1985-X