It is a tense Duchal Court, perhaps the tensest in Court history. The treaty, a document that will end a de-facto state of war between Baldur’s Gate and the Zhentarim and open trade and diplomacy between the polities for the first time in recent memory, is about to be ratified. It is a miracle or curse that the treaty has made it this far, as its conception previously died or almost died so many times in the past years.
Grand Duke Eltan, commander of the Flaming Fist, reflects how his own comrades have been killed by Zhents in war. He continues saying that the same goes for allies of Baldur's Gate present in the Court room, including the fealty Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary, who's esteemed members Grandmaster Arkaine and Knight Erza had tried to righteously thwart the treaty in the days and hours before ratification in the name of good, as well as long time loyal ally Doron Amar, but that a break in endless threats of conflict abroad has practical benefits for rebuilding city security and the Flaming Fist. Grand Duke Entar adds that trade and the stagnant economy of the city are not what they had been in years past despite a tremendous recovery from depressed levels after the siege of Baldur's Gate by undead and the wars thereof, in no small part due to the aid of many goodly temples, orders, companies, and adventurer groups in the city. Grand Duke Belt proclaims that the common people no longer fear the Zhentarim as much as they once did. Grand Duchess Liia retorts that still the city should not forget its values. The Lord Selengil Harkonis of Darkhold adds some words of good will toward Baldur's Gate of his own.
After being prompted by Grand Duke Eltan, a priestess of Waukeen next gives her prayer to bless the to-be-ratified treaty before an impending signing ceremony of the document. “May we see coin flow for all beings, for all stations and class. May we see peace enable prosperity and good fortune for all of the Gate.” She concludes with a solemn nod. Grand Duke Entar Silvershield, eyes closed during the prayer, then opens them, seemingly not sure if he is ready for what is next.
The priestess of Waukeen then takes out a document and proceeds to hand it to the Zhentarim Lord Selengil Harkonis of Darkhold, leader of the Zhentarim delegation from Darkhold, a delegation which also includes the poised Zhentarim Maximillian, Wren, and Xavier, to sign on behalf of the High Lord Fzoul Chembryl of the Zhentarim and of Zhentil Keep. “Right here, my Lord.” The priestess speaks and then points to a signature line on the document and offers a quill with ink to the Lord. The Lord Selengil Harkonis then dips his head respectfully, holding out a free hand presumably for the quill.
Before Entar signs, an aggressively drinking Grand Duke Belt bellows randomly over chaotic chatter in the court of the public assembled “This is a Ducal Decree, not a discussion, so listen more and talk less.” Lord Selengil Harkonis smiles in response and takes the writing device from the priestess, flicking his wrist as he makes his signature. Harkonis then speaks: “In the name of Lord Chembryl and in representation of these matters. I sign this treaty in good faith.” A moment later Grand Duke Belt winks at a chance court female and the priestess of Waukeen nods to Harkonis and takes the document from the Lord of Darkhold to whom is next.
She passes the treaty to Grand Duke Entar Silvershield. “You will be signing for the Council I heard?” She asks politely. Grand Duke Entar seems to pause before responding, perhaps reflecting. “Your highness?” She then adds after waiting a few moments. Silvershield then rises from his chair and he steps forward. Coolly, he looks over the treaty after taking it from the priestess, every line carefully, again, a purposeful reason as he takes quill in hand. His head raises from review of the document back out to the crowd a moment before staring hard at Harkonis of Darkhold who then stares seriously at the Grand Duke in return as Silvershield prepares to sign, an intensity in Harkonis’ eyes as he waits on the Grand Duke's signature.
Entar continues next to let the stare linger, thoughts in his eyes, weighing a hundred futures. Lord Harkonis in response gives an almost imperceptible encouraging nod to the Grand Duke Entar as the two men stare at one another further. After, Entar slowly cranes his head to Grand Duchess Liia, his head still held high as he looks to her. The Grand Duchess stares back at Entar with extreme and relentless focus. Grand Duke Belt meanwhile looks over at Entar and gives him a nod to sign, looking like he has other places to be in his mind. Silvershield finally slowly returns his eyes to Selengil and with eyes upon the man he signs the treaty. “Welcome to Baldurs Gate.” He adds, matter of factly.
Grand Duke Eltan then claps. Grand Duchess Liia Jannath nods politely. Grand Duke Belt puts his hands together as well. Entar lays the quill back to where it belongs, returning to his chair, without further word or look upon the man he just made the deal with.
The text of the ratified treaty is later posted as promised by Grand Duke Eltan at the Duchal Court session in public ways around the City of Baldur's Gate for all to read as well as sent to allies and fellow members of the Lords' Alliance and a ratified copy to Darkhold and Zhentil Keep.
Elturel RespondsA Treaty to Open Relations and Trade Between the City of Baldur's Gate and the Zhentarim
In order to permanently establish diplomatic and trade relations between the City of Baldur's Gate and the Zhentarim, the following articles are agreed to between the governments of Baldur's Gate and the Zhentarim.
ARTICLE 1. No Zhentarim law breaking in Baldur's Gate or other Lords' Alliance cities.
ARTICLE 2. Public announcement of the treaty contained herein and its provisions.
ARTICLE 3. No Zhentarim military adventures or intrigues that threaten member polities of the Lords' Alliance. The Grand Dukes in any case recognize the Zhentarim proportional right of self-defense if attacked first.
ARTICLE 4. Agreed that Eliphas the Deceiver will remain banned on pain of death from Baldur's Gate, forever, at Duchal discretion, and that the Zhentarim offer to turn Eliphas into the Flaming Fist Mercenary Company if he is ever found alive again.
ARTICLE 5. Agreed that the Zhentarim agents known as Wren and Maximillian were spotted in the Baldur’s Gate Farmlands without Duchal permission, as banned Zhentarim persons under pre-treaty herein Duchal law, and both conceded that this was a mistake in interpretation of local Baldurian law and both vowed to not do so again and apologized and made proper legal remediation.
ARTICLE 6. The Zhentarim herein announces that the duties of the political and diplomatic leader of Darkhold now include to act as the informal trade and diplomatic representative to Baldur's Gate on behalf of the Zhentarim and to take up residence in the City of Baldur's Gate as appropriate and in accordance with Duchal law. Having an agreed to diplomatic and commercial purpose as such, the Grand Dukes have good reason to let the political and diplomatic leader of Darkhold reside in Baldur's Gate as other foreign diplomatic and trade representative residents of the city do and see no reason to limit such commercial, diplomatic, and cultural activities such as going about the city in taverns, frequenting parties, and taking part in social areas and scenes for the political and diplomatic leader of Darkhold to make trade deals and represent at a basic diplomatic level the Zhentarim.
ARTICLE 7. It is agreed that Selengil Harkonis of Darkhold will publicly apologize to the City of Baldur's Gate and the Temple of Ilmater for the murder and violence he committed in Baldur's Gate in the past, including specifically an incident in the Temple of Ilmater in the second month of 1351 DR. He will also offer a significant sum of restitution to the temple of Ilmater for such crimes, and if it is refused by the temple, then to the poor generally of Baldur's Gate. Additionally, property owners of Baldur’s Gate will not be impeded by the Grand Dukes in disallowing known Zhentarim or anyone they suspect as such from entering property they own in Baldur’s Gate if they so wish.
ARTICLE 8. The Grand Dukes make it clear that they expect exemplary decorum, treaty honoring, and law abiding by any Zhentarim in Baldur’s Gate and the Baldur’s Gate Farmlands, inside the gates of the city or otherwise, if the Zhentarim wish to keep their new legal status and treaty, noting that nothing is permanent if the Zhentarim do not do as such.
ARTICLE 9. The Zhentarim recognize and understand that the Banite Public Preaching of Dogma, Rituals, or Public Display of Symbols ban in the City of Baldur’s Gate as quoted below will remain in place as Duchal law after relations would be opened between the Zhentarim and the City of Baldur’s Gate and that violating this ban will be grounds for the Zhentarim losing open relations status in the future along with any other lawbreaking.
------- Public Preaching of Dogma, Rituals or Public Display of Symbols of the following Gods is severely punishable by up to banishment or death, as determined by judicial ruling: Bane, Bhaal, Loviatar, Malar, Myrkul, Shar and Talos. Judicial ruling resulting in execution, will be public and final (OOC: a perma-strike against convicted PC).
SIGNING PAGE.
For Baldur's Gate:
Grand Duke Entar Silvershield of Baldur's Gate on behalf of the Council of Four of Baldur's Gate
For the Zhentarim:
Lord Selengil Harkonis of Darkhold on behalf of High Lord Fzoul Chembryl of the Zhentarim and of Zhentil Keep
Dated:
24th of Hammer, 1353 DR, The Year of the Arch
Soon after the shocking ratification of the Baldur's Gate-Zhentarim Treaty, there is another surprising bit of news immediately following.
With the approval of the former government of the now destroyed Triel settlement residing in Elturel, fellow goodly members of the Lords' Alliance, and goodly adventurers and heroes of the Western Heartlands, High Rider Lord Dhelt of Elturel publicly announces from the High Hall of Elturel that he has ordered a company of Hellriders of Elturel, approximately 100 to 150 medium cavalry riders, to setup a forward outpost deployment approximately located in the ruins of Triel and in the nearby Trielta Hills to stand vigilant over incoming Zhentarim convoys from the east and other threats to Elturel and the goodly folk of the Western Heartlands in the area. Lord Dhelt adds additionally that given recent events "Elturel must learn the lessons of the tragedy of Triel of the Black Orc War a few years earlier in terms of not responding to threats early enough, not intervening then was a mistake. This time we will be proactive in our vigilance."
As the deployed to positions were already on regular Hellrider patrol routes, the strategic move is quick and established almost immediately. Banners of Elturel and the patron god of their High Rider paladin ruler, the protector and watcher god Helm, now ride over the hills around the ruins of Triel and of the Trielta Hills as well, as does the code of arms of the High Rider. Other goodly powers of the Lords' Alliance release edicts of support for Elturel's move as well including Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Berdusk, Neverwinter, Iriaebor, and Sundabar.
The High Rider also militantly and defiantly proclaims that while some of the Lords' Alliance in Baldur's Gate or Mirabar may now treat and trade with the Zhentarim, Elturel will remain vigilant and never give into what he terms the evil and treachery of The Black Network. Still, he says, Baldur's Gate remains friend by Lords' Alliance defensive alliance treaty, yet one he now has a severe moral disagreement with. He adds that some may call him a warmonger for remaining so principled in his stance, but it's an insult he takes as badge of honor if the conflict is just he states.