Sword Coast

As you crest the final hill, Baldur’s Gate sprawls before you, a chaotic symphony of stone, wood, and life nestled along the River Chionthar. Its towering walls, weathered but strong, encircle the city like a protective embrace, broken only by the mighty gates that bustle with constant activity. The air is thick with the mingling scents of salt from the nearby sea, smoke from countless chimneys, and the faint tang of fish from the docks. Beyond the walls, the Upper City’s proud spires glint in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the dense, winding maze of the Lower City streets below. The harbor thrums with life—ships of every size sway gently on the tide, their crews unloading exotic goods or shouting commands. The hum of commerce, the clamor of wagons, and the distant toll of bells merge into an unending melody of urban life. Even from here, the energy of Baldur’s Gate is palpable—a city alive with opportunity, mystery, and peril.

It is nestled on a stretch of poor soil, within a natural bay that forms on the north bank of the River Chionthar several kilometers east from its mouth on the Sea of Swords. It is a crowded city of commerce and opportunity, perhaps the most prosperous and influential merchant city on the western coast of Faerûn. Despite its long-standing presence as a neutral power, the leaders of Baldur's Gate are members of the Lords' Alliance of powers in the west. The strong peace-keeping force known as the Watch, along with the presence of the powerful Flaming Fists mercenary company, keep the city generally peaceful and safe. This inherent sense of security allows the Gate to keep a tolerant and welcoming attitude towards outsiders, whether they are wealthy merchants, poor refugees or, as it historically attracted, less-scrupulous individuals such as pirates and smugglers.