Council of Four
The Council of Four, whose individual members were referred to as the Dukes in the mid–14th and 15th century DR, was the governing body of the city of Baldur's Gate consisting of four powerful individuals elected for life. The council was part of the Lords' Alliance, which included Waterdeep, Neverwinter, and Silverymoon, among others.
"Ambition has a price in Baldur's Gate, and it is paid to the Council.” — Anonymous.
Organisation
In the 15th century, Baldur's Gate was governed by the Council of Four, which consisted of dukes who decided on law and policy. One of the dukes, the Grand Duke, had the power to break deadlocks in the Council. Below them was the Parliament of Peers, which discussed future actions and made recommendations to the dukes on all matters.
One of the dukes is traditionally the highest ranking officer of the Flaming Fist.
History
The history of the council dates back to the earliest days of Baldur's Gate and the conflict between the rich farmers of the walled city and the sea-captains of the harbor who refused to pay for entering the gate that had been financed by their colleague Balduran. The captains overthrew the farmers and the four eldest among them were installed as rulers, jokingly calling themselves "dukes".
In the mid–15th century DR, Grand Duke Valarken tried to seize power using lycanthrope mercenaries, but failed. After that, surviving Duke Dillard Portyr dissolved the council, which was replaced by the Baldurian Parliament for some time.
Members
1357 DR
(all known as Grand Dukes and Duchesses)
- Belt, a powerful warrior and famed adventurer;
- Eltan, the founder of the Baldurian Flaming Fist;
- Liia Jannath, a skilled mage; and
- Entar Silvershield, the richest citizen of the city.
1479 DR
- Abdel Adrian, the famed adventurer and celebrated hero of the city; Torlin Silvershield, the wealthy and powerful cleric of Gond;
- Grand Duke Dillard Portyr, an elder businessman who was rather easily influenced; and
- Belynne Stelmane, a formidable politician who was possessed by a mind flayer.
1492 DR
- Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard, a career officer within the Flaming Fist;
- Thalamra Vanthampur, a cunning patriar who built her family's wealth and lifted herself out of poverty (replaced by Thrustwell Vanthampur after her death
- Dillard Portyr; and
- Belynne Stelmane (largely replaced by Galdon Shattershield due to her absence through illness)
