Crusader Tract

Crusader Tract
Item
Type	Scroll
Cursed	❌
Cursed	❌
Magical	❌
Magical	❌
Enchanted	no
Weight	0 lb
Acquisition
Area	Coast Way Forest
Obtained from	Dead woman at 1221x,1724y
Other
Item value	0 Gold Piece Currency in the Baldur's Gate series.
Technical information
Item code	no
Projectile	no

The Crusader Tract is a scroll from Caelar Argent's Crusade, telling the populous an accurate but polished version of her past. This particular tract can be found in Coast Way Forest in Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear.

Notations made on the document seem to be made by one actively investigating the origins, and true purpose of the Crusade.

The suggestion of agents in Baldur's Gate, Bridgefort and a base in Berdusk, suggests this mysterious operation is in fact the Harpers, who have agents in the form of Khalid and Jaheira in the region.

Content

“

(This thick sheet of parchment is rolled tightly and tied with a bit of patterned ribbon.) The Shining Lady The shining hair and glowing eyes of our great leader, Caelar Argent, tell a tale of the divine; she is the last and greatest member of a line birthed of gods and a family of paladins. For generations, the Argents served as noble knights of Lathander. Caelar believed she too would join the ranks of the Order of the Aster. But her vision was too vast for the Order’s limited faith. Her demands to take unflinching action against the forces of evil fell on deafened ears. Caelar left the knighthood, seeking a means by which to fulfill her righteous vision. (Scrawled notation: No mention of her transgression or its abominable repercussions. Records must exist in Waterdeep. When you receive these notes, seek out the Order’s chapterhouse and see what you can find.) An Auspicious Meeting Caelar wandered the world alone, learning all she could of the evils that threatened it. The knowledge she gained filled her with anguish. Hers was a vision of glory, but how could she bring that glory to a dark world doing naught but growing darker? Her doubts took her to a bridge overlooking the Winding Way. She looked into the dark waters flowing below and questioned all she had once believed to be true. Perhaps she was wrong. Perhaps she had not been chosen to rid the world of evil. It was in this, her greatest moment of doubt, that Brother Hephernaan appeared. Seeing in him a good and gentle soul, Caelar told Hephernaan of her troubles. And when her tale was told, he said, "The people of the land long for righteousness. The gods have blessed you with a vision. You know what you must do.” And Caelar did. (Scrawled notation: We know too little about this Hephernaan. Caelar relies fully on him, but does he serve her interests or his own? When I return to Berdusk, I’ll see what information I can dig up.) Our Glorious Purpose Together, Caelar and Hephernaan called out to the people of Faerûn. From the coasts and the plains, the mountains and the deserts, men and women of courage and righteous conviction answered Caelar’s call, flocking to the Shining Lady’s banner. The fulfillment of Caelar’s vision is at hand. Goodness and justice will prevail—with your help. Together, we will free the unjustly damned and smite the evil that dares lay claim on mortal souls. An age of light is about to break through the darkness. Will you be a part of it? (Scrawled notation: This crusade may be more dangerous than we initially thought. We have agents near Baldur’s Gate; I’ll ask them to investigate the crusader camp near Bridgefort. Perhaps we can head Caelar off before she does too much damage.)

”