Council of Four

The Council of Four is the executive body governing Baldur's Gate, consisting of four members who are elected for life.

Structure

The Council of Four is made up of four of four members called Dukes (regardless of gender). When one Duke dies, the Parliament of Peers elects a replacement, who serves for life. There have been only a handful of cases where a Duke has resigned from their position, most recently Duke Casimir Roe in 1493.

One of the Dukes is chosen to be the Grand Duke, serving as both the head of the council and the official representative of Baldur's Gate in diplomatic affairs.
As the executive branch of the government, the Council of Four votes on and resolutions that have passed through the Parliament of Peers. A majority is needed in most cases for a resolution to pass. In the case of a declared war, the Grand Duke is given ultimate authority over maintaining the safety and security of Baldur's Gate, though the other members of the council may step in if they determine the Grand Duke to be overstepping.

History

The Council of Four was established in 560, during the early years of Baldur's Gate. In the city's early history, conflict between the rich farmers that lived within the city walls, which would later become the Upper City, and the sea captains around the port, in the future Lower City was rampant. The farmers demanded exorbitant fees for the captains and tradesman to enter the city through Baldur's Gate, which the captains refused as it was one of their own, Baldurian, that built the gate. In 560, the captains stormed the walled city, capturing it, and declared four of them its new owners. These captains mockingly called themselves "Dukes," and the the title stuck.
Over the centuries, the Council of Four has continued to change. In the 14th century, it was deemed necessary to label on Duke a "Grand Duke" for diplomatic relations. In the early 15th century, the Council was dissolved after Grand Duke Valakarn tried to seize power for himself. The council was replaced by the Parliament of Peers. Only a decade and a half later, the Council of Four was recreated, now backed by the Parliament of Peers as a legislative body.
Following the 1482 Bhaalspawn Crisis, the Council of Four was reduced to three members, the empty seat being held as a monument to Grand Duke Abdel Adrian. In 1494, the Parliament of Peers passed a resolution to reinstate a fourth Duke. The Council of Four approved it, and Thalamara Vanthampur was voted in that year.
1497 was another turbulent year for the Council, as Duke Dillard Portyr was assassinated under the orders of Duke Vanthampur, who was killed in retaliation by the Lost Star Detectives. Grand Duke Ravengard was also presumed dead, owing to him being sent to Avernus as part of the Damnation of Elturel. Liara Portyr, a blaze in the Flaming Fist, secured her uncle's position, while Devden Iliric was selected for Vanthampur's. The position of Grand Duke went unfilled for the rest of the year amid the ongoing Flaming Fist Succession Crisis of 1497.
Ravengard's reappearance, along with the city of Elturel in early 1498 returned a degree of stability to the city, and in fact, resulted in Ravengard having a stronger position as Grand Duke, as one of his proteges now sat on the council with him.

Council of Four Membership in 1482

• Grand Duke Abdel Adrian
• Duke Teramina Roe
• Duke Corrin Renault
• Duke Torlin Silvershield

Council of Four Membership in 1491

• Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard
• Duke Corrin Renault
• Duke Casimir Roe
• Vacant

Council of Four Membership in 1494

• Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard
• Duke Corrin Renault
• Duke Dillard Portyr
• Duke Thalamara Vanthampur

Council of Four Membership in 1498

• Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard
• Duke Corrin Renault
• Duke Liara Portyr
• Duke Devden Iliric

Founding Date

560

Type

Government, Leadership

Leader

Ulder Ravengard

Government System

Plutocracy

Location

Baldur's Gate

Controlled Territories

• Baldur's Gate

Notable Members

• Abdel Adrian
• Casimir Roe
• Corrin Renault
• Devden Iliric
• Dillard Portyr
• Liara Portyr
• Teramina Roe
• Thalamara Vanthampur
• Ulder Ravengard