By the nine hells, I hate crawling down holes. The only reason I did it was because I saw a small glimmer of light at the end. Now that I'm in this hole my only thought is, "Kel, are you sure you’re not dead?"

I keep crawling on, using the last of the silver mushrooms I harvested as light. Slowly crawling on my belly hoping that I have found the surface once again. Boy was I disappointed.

Out of my hole and into hell, or at least one of the layers. Lost in the underdark for maybe years, I return to my precious Sanctuary. Though my return is not followed by any fanfare or rejoice, instead I am greeted by the foul stench of decaying bodies, the Tigereye fortress in ruin, and the streets filled with would be opportunists.

A sensation of wonder and disbelief, and a sickening filling my stomach then my throat. I merely had to vomit.

After relieving myself of the vile within me, I made my way to the Crone. Upon entering it I found everyone on their guard and carrying weapons openly. It was not so much a shock given the current state of lower. After ordering a strong spirit and a room for the night, I found that I could not get a peaceful nights sleep. I got dressed and headed to where the Comely Inn -once- was, and found that it was no longer there, and with a heavy heart I made my way to Upper Sanctuary.

I was pleased to find that Upper was far better off, and that Cooky was still as a fine a cook as any other. With little coin left in my purse, I needed some work and quick. I found little work, but the coin was good enough to keep me living.

As time passed, I took up telling stories of the old Sanctuary I remembered, and the adventures I had found here. My hopes of sparking the interests of anyone to seek out hordes of treasure were fleeting. Stories of sleeping dragon statues, the depths of the Bowels of the Machine, the hordes of undead that walked beneath Sanctuary, and the secrets of lost artifacts of Dunwarren. Citizens merely taking my tales, as stories told in taverns and inns, and nothing more.

Even though I carried one of these artifacts did nothing to stir adventures to heading out and seeking their own treasures. Sadly, I think Sanctuary has become lazy, or perhaps the thought of escape is no longer there. They have become contempt with their lives in the dark, and no longer wish to see they sun or the selune.

Perhaps it is time that I toast myself, and walk out the door and into the dark, and look for that one glimmer of hope. As I've said time and time again, I will not die in this hole.

-Kel

As I have learned, the plague released on the city is now gone. The means of the cure is beyond me, but perhaps the shadows will whisper the truth to my ears. Either way, it is of little concern to me now. As the bodies burn, the smoke will rise and in the end Sanctuary will forgot what happened. Only to repeat themselves again, and curse this town with plague.

Perhaps humans will learn from this though, I only hope.

Sanctuary seemed calm, well upper at least, lower is still in at ends. A cut throat after another, falls beneath the blade of another more eager and skilled killer. Purse after purse, more coin is stained with blood.

This was the way of the Deadly Shades, let the weak do the work for you, then snatch them in the shadows and take what was needed and leave the body in an alley. Some one will find it after tracking the smell down.

Good ole' Grigol was good at what he did, an expert cut purse. He would deliver the full of purse, and lighten them of their burden. A flick of his blade, and the coins of a full purse would silently fall into a waiting pack, and then off he was to his next mark. His charm was something that made me smile when we talked late into the evenings at the Leaning Lily, but his arrogance got the better of him.

Seems he was holding out on his tribute to the guild that allowed us to operate within the city. A night like any other, with the day filled with collecting coin, we sat at the Leaning Lily enjoying a strong brew. We were full of laughter and tales, as round after round found there way into our eager bellies. I had placed my coin, and was ready to take my leave, Grigol called for one last toast before taking my leave. Sadly I raised my glass with a smile, I saw Grigol's face pale. He tasted the poison in his flagon, and his eyes brimmed with tears. His lips trembled, it was a slow working poison and one that would takes its time, as he stood up and smiled. I nodded respectfully and placed my hand on his shoulder. He nodded in return, a half laugh and choked back cry escaped his lips. He understood it was just business. With a heavy sigh I left the Leaning Lily that night, and learned in the morning Grigol had died in the arms of his favorite woman. I wonder what Grigol would have done if he knew it was me that had her poison his drink. Still dying in arms of something loved, is better then dying alone.

I fear of dying in this hole, I fear of never seeing the sun or the moon ever again. Though such fears will only lead me to my death. I am an elf, I will have several life times compared to the humans that dwell in Sanctuary, slowly dying each day.

I met with a Seeker this day, Kor'us is his name. An elf, such as myself, promising of a day of seeing the sun and the moon. He spoke of some that will join with us, and others that will try to stop us.

I could careless, as long as I get to see the sun and the moon again. I have survived this long here in the underdark. What's another few years....

I will not die here.

-Kel