Baldur's Mouth article on Elturel's disappearance

Well folks, we've had a busy couple of tendays interviewing refugees and people who claim to have been there when Elturel seemingly disappeared (or has it?). Our reporters have compiled a list of all of these rumors, and you may make up your own truth. Without further ado, here is our article on the Disaster of Elturgard!
We approach an elderly refugee, a human woman, probably in her late 80s. She tells us that she traveled to Baldur's Gate by cart with a young family who was kind enough to provide passage. She had just returned from her daily visit to her son's farmhouse when she heard a blast. She looked up at where the city had been, and saw nothing was there! Imagine that, just clear skies. Here's her tale in full: 
"The Companion, the shining orb which hangs as a second sun above the city of Elturel and has long protected it from the scourge of the undead — sensed that a great evil was threatening Elturel. It bathed the city in its holy rays and drew it across time and space to the Keep of the Eternal Sun, the stronghold of Amaunator, God of Sun and Time. Unfortunately, many who sought to reach the city before its ascension were unable to do so."
So there you have it. Not all the stories surrounding the proposed disappearance of Elturel end in death and destruction. Hope lies with the elderly, so it would seem. Our next interview was conducted with an impatient gentleman who came to Baldur's Gate on foot. He says he was lucky enough to have some coin with him on the road, allowing him entry to the city proper. The man was on his way to the docks, looking for passage over sea to Waterdeep. He claimed that Elturel was burned down to the ground by a dozen ancient red dragons, ridden by githyanki. Upon further research, our reporter was able to tell me that githyanki are, and I quote "yellow-skinned humanoids who dwell in the Astral Sea," so I wouldn't know if that can be believed... be you your own judge! 
Our third conversation was with a former Fist soldier who claims he was in the retinue accompanying Grand Duke Ravengard. He claims Elturel still stands, but that Ravengard slew Elturel's High Observer, Thavius Kreeg during peace talks, and with his Flaming Fist soldiers took control of the city from within. To our question why no word has been heard from Elturel, the man said "'tis the Hellriders 'twas stationed at Fort Tamal! Their legions lay siege to the city an' none come out!" by which he of course referred to the Hellriders company known throughout the realm as Tent's Hammer - lead by once High Observer-to be Tamal Tent, who befell an ill tragedy before she could take up the title, which is now Kreeg's, should he still live. 
These rumours as well as many others circulate in our city today, but that is not even the surface skimmings of the Elturian crisis. Now already, reports of other cities disappearing have started to gain traction. Some say Scornubel has befallen the same fate as her sister city. Others claim Calimport has disappeared. Others yet claim that Athkatla, the capitol of Amn to the South, has been gone for three months! 
One thing is for sure: whatever has befallen Elturel is a tragedy that is worsened by the way Thalamra Vanthampur is handling the refugee crisis to her own political gains. These people have nowhere to go - and this reporter will not stand for such outlandish claims that all of the refugees (thousands, mind you!) who have come to our gates seeking refuge, are spies, or agents of some army yet to come. No! These people are our brothers and sisters, and in memory of Duke Dillard Portyr we should open up our gates and help them. 
It is as Elminster once said in his infinite wisdom: if your neighbors are struggling, don't build a taller fence, but build a bigger table.