The unthinkable has happened. Elturel, the shining beacon of the companion, has vanished from the face of the Realms. No rubble, no survivorsโjust a smoking crater where a holy city once stood.
The Aftermath: Thousands of survivors have fled west toward Baldurโs Gate, bringing nothing but stories of shadows and terror.
In response to the chaos, the Flaming Fist has declared a state of emergency.
The Gates: All major entrances to the cityโincluding the Basilisk Gateโhave been sealed.
The Order: No one is allowed in, and no one is allowed out. Thousands of refugees are now trapped in the "Outer City" shantytowns, creating a powder keg of hunger and desperation.
The cityโs steady hand is gone. Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard, leader of the Flaming Fist and the Council of Four, was in Elturel for a diplomatic mission when it fell.
The Absence: With Ravengard missing and presumed dead, there is no one left to check the Flaming Fistโs authority.
The Result: The mercenary army now operates with unchecked power, using "indiscriminate violence" to keep the starving masses from storming the walls.