Iron crisis

The Iron Crisis was an event occurring in 1368 DR in which the Iron Throne plotted to destroy the iron supply of the Sword Coast by poisoning the iron from the mines of Nashkel with alchemy, having groups of bandits steal all of the untainted iron all along the coast and infiltrating rival trading companies with doppelgangers so as to drive them into financial ruin. This was so they would have a monopoly on iron in the region using a secret iron mine they had found in the Cloakwood, fueled by slave labor.

Rumours were put around that it was the nation of Amn that was causing the iron shortage, helped by several important figures in Baldur's Gate being assassinated and having the insignias of the Shadow Thieves dropped at the murder sites. All of this helped spark threats of war against Amn from Baldur's Gate, despite Amn's claims of innocence. Sarevok Anchev, the Iron Throne leader Rieltar Anchev's foster son, would then become Grand Duke of the city and formally declare war. The Iron Throne would then sell their untainted iron to make weapons and reap a huge amount of gold in the process.

Unfortunately for the Iron Throne, another Bhaalspawn and their party of adventurers put a stop to their plans in Nashkel, defeated the bandits, freed the slaves, flooded the secret iron mine and killed most of the doppelgangers and assassins (but not before the way had been made for Sarevok to become Grand Duke). During Sarevok's crowning as Grand Duke however, the Bhaalspawn and company turned up to prevent the ceremony and thus, the war.