Sergeant Durris,

I was disappointed that a response to my letter inquiring as to the property for rent at the Ruined Stairs implies that the occupying group in that location is required to be lackeys of the Watch.

Private Lockwood informs me that the Stouthearts are unable to follow orders, clearly implying that the occupants are under the Command of the Watch? This is most vexing, as we have an interest into relocating into Sanctuary.

And what of the matter I discussed with you? It is appalling that there has apparently been no action taken along these lines. I trust that you are a man of word, and you have initiated events to help take care of this and to make Sanctuary a safer place as a result.

~ Thane Rollo Stoneshield ~

Thane Rollo Stoneshield,

Ian Lockwood is no longer a member of the Watch, due entirely to your report and his own admittance to meeting frequently with Maalgor the Malevolent. He has been dishonorably discharged, and is probably turning in his Watch Chain as I write.

As for whatever letter you sent, I have not recieved it. If you would provide a copy, I'll see to it personally.

Sergeant Durris

Sergeant Durris,

Don't forget that good Shane also was present, and his testimony is also available. In my opinion, the knave should be stoned for his failure to take action against such a vile murderer.

In fact, if Lockwood had contact with Maalgor throughout his killing spree, he could have acted and prevented these victims from being slain. Including my Thane Akevitt Anvilsmasher, who was also our Councilor whose protection laid in your jurisdiction.

I would think that the treasonous bastard should be an embarrassment to you and your command. Will he not now look to seek out Shane and myself and enact some revenge? I now fear for my safety, and the safety of my kinsman.

Here is a copy of the letter sent earlier and intercepted by Lockwood.

Good Watchpeople of Sanctuary,

We were delighted to see that you are offering a facility for rent in Upper, where we spend so much of our time. We of the Stoutheart Clan are very interested in possibly inhabiting this area, and working in unison with the watch to keep it safe. Our Clan has become most dissatisfied living away from the other good citizens of this town, and amongst the Duergar Grunstubhle Clan. It has been a tenuous relationship at best, and we greatly prefer ending this arrangement.

And as you well may know, your own Private Gloinar Runehammer is a member of our Clan, and it would be beneficial to this good dwarf and servant of Sanctuary to be quartered so near his workplace.

You'll not find many more devoted to his duty, nor a more tireless worker than our good Gloinar.

Also, there is a possibility that there may be other worthy members of our Clan that may have an interest and be of sufficient mettle to join your ranks. The possibility of the Stoutheart Clan working with the Watch on matters of security can only be good for both parties concerned.

The Stoutheart Clan eagerly awaits your permission to inspect this property post haste, and would like to apply for a legal occupation of said property if it meets our qualifications for a new Clan home.

Also, what will be the nature of the relationship between the occupants of this area, and the Watch? Is it private property subject to the rule of the Clan. Or is considered Watch territory, and will be entered at will at any time by the Watch?

Thank you for your prompt response and attention in this matter.

*signed* ~ Faenor Rollo Stoneshield ~

If you wish a trial, then a trial will be held.

Lockwood was indeed an embarassment upon our reputation, which is why I must request you keep this matter as silent as possible. Justice will be dealt, but it is preferable to avoid a scandal, lest people begin to lose faith in the Watch, by believing that the Watch permits corruption in any form to permeate its ranks. Such things are not tolerated, but it is best the idea does not even enter the heads of the populace.

Justice will be served, however. The trial will be held sometime soon, if you will not be available to be called upon ((sometime tomorrow night I think)), then I would greatly appreciate a written and signed statement describing the event in which Lockwood lead you to Maalgor, just as you told me. (in which Lockwood stated he had met with Maalgor several times, and that he told Maalgor you were coming, etc. All information that will be pertinent to a stoning.)

As for the area, it is being provided for rent, on the condition that you are able to clean and maintain the area. You will pay a regular stipend for use of the territory, which should be relatively minor.

Your cooperation with the Watch will be necessary, and it is likely that refusing Watch to enter will be a violation of the agreement, although I have not seen any contract stating so as yet. The key is cooperation. If you will cooperate with us, then there should be no problems at all. I can see few reasons that the Watch might need to enter the area, outside of a few possibly exceptional circumstances.

That said, by my understanding, the area will be little different than for example, the Rock Bottom. Spencer Twist owns the property, and designates the rules for it, while the Watch patrol there semi-regularly and ensure that all is in order.

In any case, as long as you are reasonable and cooperate with us, we will be reasonable and cooperate with you.

You're welcome to approach me to inspect the territory below the ruined stairs sometime in the near future. //Just set a time, and I'll tell you if I can make it. Weekends are best

Sergeant Durris Sanctuary Watch

Faenor Rollo Stoneshield,

Please provide a written and signed testimony of the event when Lockwood lead you to Maalgor post-haste. The trial will be held sometime very soon.

Sergeant Durris

//long and many spoilers//

To the Watch and Council of Sanctuary,

I was approached by Private Ian Lockwood about whether I would have interest in getting close to the Wanted Murderer, Maalgor Nightbane. This was shortly after I had been informed by Ordinant Lathae that my friend and leader of the Stoutheart Clan, Hammer of Moradin and the Fourth Thane of Tornbeard Hall, Akevitt Anvilsmasher had been slain by Maalgor.

I replied that yes, I'd like an opportunity to confront and hopefully subdue the criminal in order to help bring him back to face charges of Murder. I expressed doubt as to the wisdom of myself facing Maalgor as I had faced him before in combat, and knew that he was a fearsome adversary. I asked Lockwood whether he would help to apprehend the fugitive, and he replied that he could not, because if Maalgor escaped, his trust would be betrayed and that he would no longer be able to meet with him.

In shock, I questioned the private about this clandestine series of meetings, and Lockwood responded that Maalgor served a far greater than evil and that he (Lockwood) could not anger this dark power for fear of his own life. I had decided that I would decline his offer as it seemed to be suspicious and I thought it might even be a trap as Lockwood has publicly made derogatory and racist comments about the dwarven peoples in the past.

Lockwood then suggested that I could bring one other along, as long as that person stayed hidden. I asked Shane the Lathanderite Paladin if he would assist me, and he confirmed that he would. I then hastily made way to the Scrivener's abode and had several copies of a note stating that I was following Lockwood to meet Maalgor, and that if I did not return, that it was likely the result of foul play on Lockwood's part.

I gave copies to Sir Leon Belmont and Eleina Chenoa, both good and noble folk that I knew were good to the word as paladins of the orders of Torm and Lathander.

Shane and I followed Lockwood through the mines to their exit at the Dark Lake. He instructed Shane to stay at the exit, but INSIDE the mines and listen for combat to signal his need to assist me. I called on the blessings of the Mother at this time, quaffed a hide potion making me invisible, and Shane did the same before we started following Lockwood toward the Dark Lake.

Fortunately, Councilor Shane ignored his advice as he followed about 10 paces behind me unbeknownst to Private Lockwood as he was another 10 paces ahead of me.

I followed Lockwood to the edge of a small incline, where a Duergar stood smirking at me as if was aware of what was about to occur. Lockwood disappeared, whether by potion or a hasy exit. Then a foul undead servant materialized in front of me, and I foolishly struck although I was invisible, thus revealing my position.

Then a spell stripping me of the Mother's blessings struck me, shortly followed by darkness thicker than any I had ever seen, enveloping me in its crushing grasp. Then, I detected the fetid breath bellowing forth from the Beast formerly known as Maalgor and now appearing like unto a Fiend from Hell.

I stood my ground although I have no training in such darkness combat, hoping that I could distract Maalgor long enough so that Shane might run him through. But his blessings were great and already prepared BEFORE I had arrived as he cast no spells of preparation during the combat as he had the prior time I had fought him. This clearly suggested that he prior knowledge of my arrival.

After a long and exhausting fight with our lives in the balance, brave Shane and myself managed to drive Maalgor off and to the Pyrimo Inn. There we learned that he was under the control of Intryzz the Illithid owner of the Pyrimo. After we realized that he had reached safe haven with his master and was unassailable, we returned to find Lockwood waiting for us, clearly surprised that we had both fought Maalgor off and come back out of the Pyrimo at all.

I asked him on our trip back through the mines how Maalgor had seemed to be well prepared and clearly ready to attack me. He replied that he had gotten word to Maalgor that I was coming, and that PERHAPS he should not have done that.

At this time, I realized that this man had jeopardized my life, and that he may possibly have been in a position to coordinate an attack on Maalgor with sufficient force to apprehend him. Instead, he chose to remain silent about these meeting withe the fugitive, and in my mind is an accomplice to the deaths of many citizens of Sanctuary. One of whom a leader of my people and a Councilor of all others.

This man knowingly allowed a great threat to the citizens of Sanctuary to continue his murderous ways when he had the means to put an end to it. And I would question why a beast like Maalgor, controlled by an Illithid, would trust a watchman who should by all rights be his sworn enemy?

Indeed, perhaps Lockwood is under the control of Intryzz and was helping to deliver my head on a platter to Maalgor and his evil master? I have heard from Ordinant Lathae about implants that extend the range and power of illithid mind control. Perhaps a skilled surgeon such as myself should operate on Lockwood to see if any of these devices are present?

And for your information the subject need not be alive during this operation. In fact, I'd hate the subtle differences between human and dwarf anatomy like your thin bones, weak muscles and wispy nerve fibers be his cause of death if he is to be stoned for his crimes against Sanctuary.

I swear by Mother Truesilver that all I have written here is true to the best of my recollection.

*signed* Faenor Rollo Stoneshield Fifth Thane of the Stoutheart Clan