Kinsman,

I am Faenor Rollo Stoneshield, acting Thane of the Stoutheart Clan. Our former Thane, and recently elected to the Council, Akevitt Anvilsmasher was slain by the orcblood Maalgor. I do not know if you had a chance to speak with my friend and Thane, but he was highly favored of Mordain and one of the strongest protectors of dwarves and the citizens of Sanctuary.

Even more importantly, he is our kin. I hope you have not forgotten the ways of our people, and know that the Soul Forger demands your assistance in protecting your kin and citizens of Sanctuary.

I do not know if you pay homage to Moradin and his consort Berronar, but any shield faithful to their teachings know that their duty in this is clear.

We require funds to bring our Thane and your fellow Councilor back from Moradin's realm. We also need coin to prepare for and to capture or even slay the foul murderer that stalks our people. I do not know what funds Akevitt would have had access to, but I FORMALLY request that Clan Stoutheart be awarded a contract to search out and bring the assassin to justice. The funds necessary to prepare may be considered an advance on the bounty.

Lastly, if you are indeed a good servant of the Moradinsammen, you need be aware that the justice system of this town does not bring the justice that the Dwarf Father demands. I hope you think deeply on this, and be true to your people in these matters that I am presenting to you.

My heart lept at the news that not one, but two of my shield brothers were given power on the Council. Kin, I pray to Berronar that you use the power of your office to help your kinsman. You are in a position to help us protect ourselves from the evil that stalks us and strikes at Moradin's chosen without fear.

I would like to meet with you concerning these matters if you find it in your dwarven soul to help your people in this, our time of need. I will be eagerly awaiting your response at the Rock Bottom Inn.

Faenor Rollo Stoneshield Acting Thane High Old One Clan Stoutheart

// I'd go into a lengthier explanation, but it really does seem as if I've explained this multiple times. NPCs don't pay for PC raises (unless we make a very rare exception). It doesn't matter who the NPC or PC is. We've had tons of PC deaths, tons of PCs die connected to rich/power/important NPCs, tons of PC councilors even. So please don't ask, just pay the trivial amount of gold required or get other Pcs to help out, but writing long letters on the forums that a DM has to read is just not necessary, thanks. It's entirely an OOC thing, so trying to get tons of NPCs involved (for the second time) is just unnecessary.//

Faenor,

I was very sorry to learn of Councilor Akevitt's death. I was truly looking forward to working with him on the Council. I am of course a supporter of dwarves and the dwarf population of Sanctuary. I've always been a little puzzled and disappointed why your clan chose to make its home outside of our walls, but from what I understand many of you are good sorts. I would like to take an opportunity to invite you to lead a prayer session for myself and some of the other dwarf citizens of Sanctuary, I'm sure we could benefit from the mother's wisdom during these difficult times.

There is no question that the monster Maalgor must be brought down. I sentenced one of his followers to death just today. I will support any measure that hastens his end.

Councilor Ronus Graidan

*contains spoilers, don't read if you don't want to learn things OOCly, DMs - important stuff in bold*

Councilor Graidan,

Thank you so much for responding to my letter so quickly. It is good to know that you are a dwarf of faith, and I certainly will prepare to hold a prayer moot for our kin for these difficult times.

I understand that you or the Council as a whole may not be able to directly contribute funds for us to bring Akevitt back into our midst. However, I have been most discourage to learn that the Watch are as helpless as children in their ability to protect the citizens of Sanctuary. Does the Council not pay the Watch a sizable amount to do these things? Yet they are unable to do anything to stop the beast Maalgor and scoff at my request for assistance to lawfully apprehend the criminal.

In fact, a Private by the name of Lockwood took me to a clandestine meeting with Maalgor. Apparently he has frequent dealings with this evil priest of darkness, something which I think a Councilor should be troubled about, wouldn't you think? Lockwood did indeed lead me to Maalgor, but he had warned the beast that I was coming to apprehend him, and he nearly slew me as well. Fortunately Shane the Lathanderite Paladin came along and together we battled Maalgor to a draw, eventually driving him off back to the Pyrimo Inn.

It seems that the Pyrimo Inn, located the near the Dark Lake, is owned and operated by an illithid named Intryzz. This monster apparently is able to convert citizens of Sanctuary to his service, and these murders are the orders of this foul slaving creature. So although you might not be able help us bring back our Thane and your fellow Councilor, would it be possible to consider the Stoutheart Clan as a mercenary force to handle jobs that are especially troublesome and a direct threat to Sanctuary? As the Watch is reacting to Maalgor with fear and are as effective as a mewling kitten when burglars invade ones home, perhaps some of their funds should be diverted to a specialized combat brigade of some of the most daughty warriors and adventurers in the town of Sanctuary. Namely, the Stoutheart Clan.

I'd very much like to meet with you if this is possible, or perhaps I will be able to see you at the Prayer Moot that you have wisely recommended that I organize and commence over.

Also, is there any member of the Council or noble Houses of Sanctuary that might be interested in sponsoring those dedicated to the cause of eradicating evil such as Maalgor amongst us? I have wondered that there might be one or several among you that might be able to champion such a cause, and I would appreciate it if you might be able to point myself and the Stouthearts towards such an individual.

*signed* Faenor Rollo Stoneshield Acting Thane of the Stouthearts High Priest and Elder of the Clan

Faenor,

I was shocked to read your letter. The allegation that Private Lockwood has dealings with this half-orc beast is news to me, and I suggest you immediately send a report with this information to the Watch. If true, he would be guilty of endangering Sanctuary and I've little doubt he'd be executed.

I will remind you, however, of one point: it is the duty of the Watch to protect the citizens of the town within Sanctuary. As far as I am aware, there have been no incidents of this Maalgor-beast successfully attacking or killing -anyone- within Sanctuary itself. It is only when people leave the safety and security of our town (foolishly, to my mind) that they are picked off and attacked. So, I do not think it is fair to describe the Watch as incompetent in this matter.

You ask about the possibility of the Stoutheart Dwarves being an officially recognized group, assigned to destroy evil? My first comment would be that if you can successfully kill or capture Maalgor, you'd have proven your group's ability to accomplish things which would be a great boon to your cause. The bounty offered for his head is enormous, and I'm sure you could do much to improve your clan's position with that much gold.

Personally, I feel the Watch and the Spellguard are the organizations most suited to enforcing Sanctuary's law. I would prefer to strengthen them, not weaken them. It may be others would disagree with me. The Seekers have a reputation for going out and fighting evil wherever it might be, and my good friend Gaeseric has very strong feelings about all of this too.

I'd be happy to speak with you in person about all this.

Councilor Ronus Graidan