The Hammer and the Anvil
Current map of Operations - all fronts
Map Key:
1: General Scar's Fort on the Winding Water, garrisoned by a company of Flaming Fist and extensively supported by adventurers (NB: This is the IG map). There is a healing station here provided by the Order of the Silver Rose and a priestess from the Halls of Inner Light here. Paladins of the Baldurian Chapter of the Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary also patrol from here. This is the crossing of the Winding Water closest to the sea.
2: Blaze Regnon's fort on the Winding Water, garrisoned by a company of Flaming Fist. It lies near the ruined village of Plumstead north of the river. The crossings have been intentionally destroyed here.
3: Marshal Nenon's fort on the Winding Water, garrisoned by a depleted company of Flaming Fist and reinforcements from Mirabar, Citadel Adbar, Sundabar and Silverymoon. The bridge the Fist built for the Tymount offensive was here.
4: Blaze Tulumvist's fort on the Winding Water, garrisoned by a company of Flaming Fist. This is a ford, and an artillery killzone covers the crossing point.
5: Marshal Yulimtul's fort on the Winding Water, garrisoned by a company of Flaming Fist. The river is narrow enough to cross here. The party of Athkatlan paladins of the Order of the Radiant Heart led by Sir Crozas of Tyr is based here primarily.
6: The extent of Lord's Alliance between the forts.
7: Extent of increased pirate activity on the Sea of Swords. It extends as far north as Orlumbar.
8: Devil Outpost. A fortified mining encampment established by the Devils resting under a pall of smoke. Signs of heavy industry from afar. Approach dangerous due to numerous devil raiding parties in the vicinity.
9: Devil Outpost. A heavily fortified mini-fortress of dull steel, again under a pall of smoke. Approach highly dangerous.
10: Devil Outpost. Little is known about this outpost.
11: The presumed location of Hellsteel Tower; the thick black smog over it is almost impenetrable.
12: Areas of infestation by "Spirits of Dis". Highly dangerous.
13: Warlock's Crypt "Exclusion Zone."
14: The Ruins of Tymount.
15: The Ruins of Ebondross Citadel.
16: Flaming Fist reserve camp and headquarters for another two companies, from which patrols are sent and reserves are sent. There are more troops from Mirabar, Citadel Adbar, Sundabar and Silverymoon here too.
17: Shield of Iriaebor Camp. The contingent of Iriaebor soldiers sent to join the war effort is based here in a large camp, from which it conducts patrols in force to prevent the Flaming Fist line being flanked. It also supports the deployment of further Iriaebor soldiers into the Trollclaws.
18: Neverwinter Camp. The contingent of Neverwinter soldiers sent to join the war effort is based here in a large camp, from which it conducts patrols in force to prevent the Flaming Fist line being flanked. Neverwinter soldiery also relieves Flaming Fist troops when they grow exhausted.
19: An old silver mine, rumoured site of devil activity in the Trollclaws.
20: Zhentilar camp at the confluence of the Winding Water and the Serpent's Tail Stream, garrisoned by Black Lightning Company.
The Frontline as a Whole
Assaults from the mortal forces of Hellsteel Tower have grown in intensity. With the addition of slave goblins to their ranks, the devil-led forces have assaulted up and down the line. Time and again hordes of the devil's mortal slaves were driven onwards against the points of strongest resistance, the forts. The garrisons commanded Blazes Regnon and Tulumvist grow tired from the ceaseless assaults, and causalities mount as devils increasingly join the fray.
Battle with goblins
Meanwhile, mortal devil followers composed of human cultists have begun trying to cross the Winding Water quietly and raid villages behind the lines for slaves. So far, patrols have intercepted most of these warbands but nevertheless they sow terror when they meet success.
A warband of cultists of Dis, adopting terrifying disguises, attacking a hamlet south of the Winding Water
The fort on the right flank under Marshal Yulimtul however fares better, due to the support of Sir Crozas and the paladins of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart from Athkatla. The paladins and clerics have proven to be a stout counter to fiendish assaults.
Dante Maziacas of Torm, in battle at Marshal Yulimtuls' fort
A new phase of the war is now beginning. The participation of the Devils themselves in assaults over the past tenday has increased, and a major offensive took place two days ago against the Baldurian bridge that Marshal Nenon's fort was guarding. Hellsteel Tower's forces temporarily captured the bridge and overran the fort; only being driven back by the arrival of Flaming Fist reserves.
The devil legions assault Marshal Nenon's fort
Rumour spreads that this attack was led by a wingless female devil declaring herself to be Ilrataxena the Huntress, who called out a number of Flaming Fist warriors to accept her challenge before reaping a bloody toll among the defenders, breaking their line. The Flaming Fist took heavy losses, and the company guarding this fort is now significantly understrength.
General Scar's Fort
General Scar's fort, on the left flank, has weathered a number of heavy attacks. With the support of adventurers from a wide variety of backgrounds, numerous goblin and troll assaults have been thrown back.
Adventurers drive off yet another goblin horde from the barricades!
The barricades have been approached a number of times by one of the Lieutenants of Hellsteel Tower, Lamazeeza, who has tried to sway the spirits of the defenders. Increasingly her arrival has announced the attacks by the armoured legions of Hellsteel Tower.
However, Lamazeeza has not been seen since adventurers shot at her recently when she came to parlay and since then attacks have increased in ferocity, the barricades falling more than once and the fort's gates being burned.
The Fires of Hell
Timely Reinforcements
Meanwhile, as rumours begin to grow that Duke Eltan and the Flaming Fist are planning moves of their own, reinforcements have arrived from the Lord's Alliance. Troops from Iriaebor have arrived and taken up a strong position to guard the Flaming Fist's right flank, operating in the Trollclaws as far as Kheldrivver.
A contingent from Neverwinter has also arrived, taking position to guard the Flaming Fist's left flank, and help block any fiendish breakthroughs towards the city itself.
Finally, contingents from the Northern Lord's Alliance have arrived, hailing from the cities of Mirabar, Citadel Adbar, Sundabar and Silverymoon, brought to the city by the magic of Alustriel Silverhand herself. They have deployed at the centre of the line of forts, reinforcing Marshal Nenon's fort and providing a strong presence to bolster the line.
A contingent of Sundabaran Shieldsar arriving on the frontline
Baldur's Gate's forces have endured and gained a moment's breathing room. What will be done with it yet remains to be seen.