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Knights of the Shield
The Knights of the Shield is an organisation based primarily in Baldur's Gate, that operates in information dealing, political manipulation, and smuggling.[1] The Knights keep a front as a secret society of merchants and nobles interested in civic matters.
The Knights of the Shield previously appeared in 
Baldur's Gate.
History[edit | edit source]
The Knights of the Shield were founded in -170 DR as an elite paramilitary force for the kingdom of 
Tethyr, south of Baldur's Gate, and took their name from the magical artifact Shield of Silvam. In 187, the Knights fell out of favour with Tethyr's leadership and transitioned into a clandestine conspiracy for trade, information and power-brokering. While some of its members were nothing more than nobles and merchants fond of insider-trading, others were all-out smugglers, spies or worse. Over time their reach spread from Calimshan in the south to Neverwinter in the north.[2]
The Knights are a longstanding operation within the city of Baldur's Gate. For some time, operations were run by a mind flayer who would eventually go by the moniker the 
Emperor, with customer-facing operations run by an enthralled 
Belynne Stelmane.[3][4] Between the two of them, the Knights had considerable control over the city.[5]
The Knights' inner circle were secretly devoted to Gargauth, archdevil/demigod of betrayal and political corruption.[2] As this detail never comes up in-game, it is possible the Emperor wrested total control of the organisation for himself, or it is simply not canon to Baldur's Gate III.
Early in his career, 
Enver Gortash began operating as a black market weapons dealer in the city.[6] In competition with the Knights' well-established organisation, Gortash worked to displace them. His operatives first attempted to underbid the Knights on contraband and smuggling services.[7] However, this proved fruitless, as prospective clients remained loyal to the Knights, so fiercely that psychic influence was suspected.[8]
Through the bribery of key members, Gortash's operatives uncovered that the Knights were working closely with Duke Belynne Stelmane.[9] By this time, Stelmane had begun to physically decline; however, her influence over smuggling operations continued to grow.[10] Eventually it was unveiled that Stelmane was being psionically controlled by the Emperor.[11]
Using his control over the Elder Brain through the Crown of Karsus, Gortash enslaved the Emperor, using him to assist with the Dead Three's plans. Without the Emperor overseeing operations, Gortash was able to put pressure on the Knights.[12] Eventually, the Knights' territory and sales saw steep decline,[13][14] while Gortash's operations grew in their place, eventually supplanting the Knights' and leading the organisation to an apparent collapse.[15]
Involvement[edit | edit source]
Act Three[edit | edit source]
The abandoned Knights of the Shield Hideout under the Elfsong Tavern can be visited in the Lower City. While in the hideout, 
Jaheira comments that she previously had been searching for it.[16]
The party can also discover a hidden room inside the Hhune Mausoleum with a 
Journal written by a Knights member, detailing their meeting with the Emperor before it took over operations.
Epilogue[edit | edit source]
If the player character becomes a mind flayer and sides with the Emperor after defeating the Netherbrain, they have the option to reform the Knights of the Shield with it. The Emperor later makes adjustments to the hideout beneath the Elfsong, to be used as headquarters while they work on rebuilding the Knights.[17] During the epilogue, the player character can tell 
Astarion that it has become a "formidable force". [18]
Members[edit | edit source]
Deceased members[edit | edit source]
Related literature[edit | edit source]
Written by the Black Hand[edit | edit source]
Related locations[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
The Knights of the Shield Hideout beneath the Elfsong Tavern
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑
The Stelmane Connection - "The Black Hand of Loyalty"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lords of Darkness, by Jason Carl and Sean K. Reynolds, 2001 (Wizards of the Coast).
- ↑ The Emperor: "I had the good fortune to meet Duke Stelmane. We formed a partnership, and through her I became the governing force behind the Knights of the Shield, the largest mercantile operation in Baldur's Gate."
- ↑ Dialogue with The Emperor in the Astral Realm.
- ↑ The Emperor: "Together, we brought order to chaos. At its height, everything that happened in that city went through the Shield. Through us."
- ↑
Inroads by Arms Dealer Gortash
- ↑
Knights of the Shield Report - "The Black Hand of Loyalty"
- ↑ Knights of the Shield Report
- ↑ The Stelmane Connection
- ↑ The Stelmane Connection
- ↑ Dialogue with The Emperor.
- ↑
Old Ledger
- ↑
Enhanced' Weapons - Sales Ledger - Franc Peartree
- ↑ Old Ledger
- ↑ Inroads by Arms Dealer Gortash -
Bursar Uktar
- ↑ Jaheira: The Knights of the Shield. How many days did I search in vain for their lair, only to cap the night with a drink above it?
- ↑ Missive from The Emperor
- ↑ Dialogue with Astarion in the Epilogue.