NEWS FROM THE FRONT (7/8/178)
THE SIEGE OF BALDUR'S GATE RAGES ON
The beleaguered city of Baldur's Gate has endured and witheld a massive siege by Amnian and Calimshite forces for now months. The outer walls surrounding the lower city has been breached time and again but every assault repelled by the Flaming Fist and their allied defenders. Quick to repair and reinforce any breaches. However, six days ago a combined assault from the river and through the eastern walls overwhelmed the defenders led by Grand Duke Eltan and forced them to retreat back to the walls of the upper city.
Grand Duke Eltan was reportedly wounded in the retreat but his current health is unknown. What is known is that the defenders of Baldur's Gate now control only a small portion of the city as Amn was quick to position its forces within the lower city.. The civilian population has been forcibly evacuated from the city, reasoning their own safety and Amnian concerns over partisan activity.
In Waterdeep, refugees from Baldur's Gate speak of a loss of life of civilian and soldiers, that the Sword Coast has not seen in years and the Arch-Abbot of the Scriveners of Doom has announced that lists of casualties will be publicized on public boards all across the Coast and elsewhere as their Order find itself overwhelmed to handle the any personal requests for information about the passing dead.
THE SILVER MARCHES STIRS
In other news, many people following this war have observed that some cities in the Lords' Alliance has carried this war more than other in the Alliance. Waterdeep's leading role should be no surprise, nor its use of the Flaming Fist soldiery and Neverwinter have actively participated abroad in their war efforts too. Other members such as Luruar, the confederacy of the Silver Marches has been notably absent in the war.
Yet perhaps sparked by the dire straits of Baldur's Gate, there is now change happening within the confederacy. As High Marshal Aerasumé of the Argent Legion has put out a call to its confederacy members, requesting a contingent of the Knights of Silver from Silverymoon, the Iron Guard of Citadel Adbar, Shieldshar of Sundabar and soldiers from the Vale.
This call has been answered it seems as the Argent Legion now marches in sizeable force down the Long Road, its direction south. Many have already begun calling it the Army of the North, as Graycloaks from Neverwinter are expected to reinforce it on its way. The target of the Argent Legion has not been announced, but many believe its purpose is to reinforce Baldur's Gate - if they will make such a march in time.
TETHYR RESISTS
The recent declaration of war by Calimshan and Amn against Tethyr was suspected in the buildup against each respective borders of the Tethyrian kingdom. The Syl-Pasha of Calimshan cited its own claim of Calimmon within the duchy of Ankaram. Whereas Amn never forgave the secession of Riatavin to Tethyr.
Yet despite being wedged between two vast and powerful nations, the few reports of battle does not seem to favour either Calimshan or Amn for the moment. As Amnian forces were repelled and find themselves bogged down in the Forest of Tethir, meeting unexpected fierce resistance from local elven forces that counts those ancient forests as their home.
Whereas in south, the Sadimmin army of Calimshan tried to quickly capture the Fort Agis, Tufenk and Calim but each assault failed as instead of finding an unprepared garrsion they found hardened veterans of the Reclamation War under command of the Royal Warlady, the Duchess Valmeyjar of Ankaram.
If Tethyr will manage to take advantage of these early victories remains to be seen, but as for now the monarchy still stands.
THE SYNOD OF THE TRIAD PLEADS FOR PEACE
An emergency synod of Triadist faiths, alongside representatives of the Church of Sune and Church of Lathander and Chauntea has been concluded in Suzail, Cormyr. They have issued a proclamation for peace, pleading the warring states to consider the cost of lives already numbering in the higher reaches of tens of thousands.
Archsufferer d'Rehn of the Cormyth Church of Illmater stated in a public sermon: "Our proclamation is not to condemn one nation but to plead to every single one of them to consider the suffering and monsterous woe that your people has to endure in waging it. We ask every man and and women out there to give pause in raising your blade in anger, and instead raise a thought to the countless already dead and who will never return to us. We beseech the leaders of these lands to be brave enough to meet each other face to face. Not with a sword in hand, but with a quill and a willingness to end this conflict for the betterment of all who has to suffer under it."
Day 7, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 178 AR
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