Sword Coast

The Upper City rises before you as a realm of opulence and order, where wealth and influence reign supreme. Its polished stone streets gleam under the light of intricately wrought lanterns, each corner meticulously maintained and guarded by the Watch in their shining armor. Towering mansions and grand edifices dominate the skyline, their facades adorned with ornate carvings and lush greenery spilling from wrought-iron balconies. The air is perfumed with the scent of blooming flowers and faintly spiced aromas from exclusive eateries tucked among the grandeur. The soft murmur of aristocratic conversation blends with the occasional clatter of hooves as carriages glide by. Despite the outward display of prosperity, the Upper City feels measured and watchful, as though every gesture and interaction carries unspoken rules. This is Baldur’s Gate at its finest—or perhaps its most pretentious—a sanctuary for the elite, hiding its intrigue behind elegance and civility.

The Upper City of Baldur’s Gate exudes wealth. Its buildings’ shutters and doors bear vibrant colors and arc smartly maintained. Its streets are wide and its terrain is nearly flat. At night the magic lamps that hang from ornate arms extending streetward from most buildings keep its avenues well lit. Rain runs of raised roads into drains, rather than pooling or flowing down streets, and sewers carry away waste. Flowering plants that hang from windows and climbing walls help to sweeten the air. Every citizen is either a patriar, a servant of a patriar, a Watch member or an affluent business owner. Upper City establishments serve the patriars and other wealthy customers almost exclusively. This part of the city has few inns and no public taverns. Patriars do their drinking at home, in private clubs, or on overnight soirees into the Lower City. Few doors in the Upper City are open at night, and the streets are devoid of activity except for Watch patrols.