Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate, also called simply the Gate, is a large metropolis and city-state on the Sword Coast, within the greater Western Heartlands. It is a crowded city of commerce and opportunity, perhaps the most prosperous and influential merchant city on the western coast of Faerûn outside of Waterdeep. Despite its desire to be more neutral, Baldur's Gate is a member of the Lords' Alliance in order to resist the influence of powerful nations like Thay. 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 less-scrupulous individuals such as pirates and smugglers.
Geography Baldur's Gate is located to the south of the great city-state of Waterdeep and north of Amn, along the well-traveled Coast Way road that passed over the Wyrm's Crossing, through the Outer City and into the Gate proper. It is nestled on a stretch of poor soil, within a natural bay that forms on the north bank of the River Chionthar about 40 miles (64.4 km) east from its mouth on the Sea of Swords.
The city is a crescent moon that wraps around the great harbor. While the terrain of the Upper City is flat and level, the Lower City is built over steep bluffs that overlook the Gray Harbor.
Weather The region surrounding Baldur's Gate receives an abundance of drizzling rain and sleet with frequent-occurring fog that roll through the city's streets. This excessive precipitation is well-mitigated with an advanced water system where underground basins collect the run off rainwater, maneuvering it through subterranean aqueducts that empty it into massive cistern beneath the Temples District.
Despite the city's engineering and cleanliness, this continual rain can lead to regular growth of mildew accompanied by a musky smell that permeates the city's cellars. To abate the slippery stone streets, it is sometimes necessary to spread straw or gravel along the wet cobblestones.
Society “No matter what we do or how many people we save, the citizens here are always caught up in their own business, carrying on their lives. It's oddly comforting in a way.” — The adventurer Nerys, on the city's residents.
Baldurians take great pride in the inclusiveness of their city. It is a place anyone could call home, or start a new life within, regardless of race, creed or personal history. Despite its dense population and crowded streets it is remarkably clean and safe for citizens and visitors alike.
As a whole, citizens of Baldur's Gate do not tolerate drunk and debaucherous behavior.
Customs Unlike other cosmopolitan cities, Baldur's Gate is home to few formal festivals and gatherings. In addition to celebrating Highharvestide in autumn, Baldurians celebrate The Breaking every spring, marking the supposed day when Turindor split from the ruined world of Toreil. They also hold public celebrations for Returning Day, which commemorates Balduran's return to his home city following his famous expedition across the Trackless Sea.
An outdoor gathering of Baldurians is called a "cobble party", so named for the cobblestone roads around the city, and are often signaled by special "rose-red" torches that can be purchased from a local fireworks shop.
Government Since its famous tax revolt, Baldur's Gate has been ruled by four Grand Dukes, whose membership compose the Council of Four. They are elected by the citizens to serve for staggered five year terms. The Council collectively serve as a member of the Lords' Alliance, the council of leaders of city-states that governs The Steadfast.
Previously the Council of Four was appointed by the Baldurian parliament, a legislative body at that time composed of the wealthiest merchants and nobles in the city. After an attempted coup by former Grand Duke Valarken and the subsequent Dockside Rebellion, Baldur's Gate's government underwent a major restructure. The Council of Four became a position elected directly by the citizens of Baldur's Gate, and the Parliament of Peers was established. No longer composed of only wealthy merchants and nobles, the modern Baldurian parliament is composed of elected officials who represent each neighborhood in the city. These 50 or so influential Baldurians meet to discuss city matters and make recommendations to the council.
City Officers The Council of Four are served by five deputies, city officials that oversee their subordinate bureaucrats and maintain the daily needs of Baldur's Gate. Their titles and responsibilities are as follows:
Harbormaster: Manages operations of the Gray Harbor, assigns tariffs and taxes on imported goods, and maintains the records of all goods shipped in or out of the city.
High Constable and Master of Walls: Castellan of the Watch Citadel.
Master of Drains and Underways: Maintains operations of the city's drains, sewers, waterways and aqueducts.
Master of Cobbles: Oversees construction and maintenance of all city roads, bridges and non-water-related, stone infrastructure.
Purse Master: Collects taxes, invests city funds, directs payment to city officials, and oversees the Bailiff of the Wide.

Aliases The Gate Gray Harbor City of Blood
Region The Steadfast, Northwestern Faerun Sword Coast, Western Heartlands
Size Metropolis
Society Baldurian
Major Imports Stone
Major Exports Dyes, fish, lamp oil, trade-coinage
Politics Plutocracy Ruler Council of Four Legislative Parliament of Peers Allegiances Lords' Alliance