Seeker,

The following report details an incident that I believe may be of interest to your organization.

It was earlier today that a stuttering, shy man named "Talek Brier" made a sending requesting adventurers to aid him in an expedition to the Spire. Upon meeting it was gradually revealed that he'd been contracted by the goblin known as Gobbler and the purpose of the expedition was to find Gobbler's old tribe and escort them into Sanctuary. Supposedly the tribe was located in a region of the Underdark called The Spire.

Along with Brier, our group composed of the gnome Denten Foliwinkle, Osmyr, Vruuk, Marten Briars, Toman, and Spellguard Associate Captain Kayne Baalesman.

I believe there is also a strong possibility that we were followed by an unknown and invisible Spellguard tyrant, for at least part of the journey.

Our journey to the Spire was largely uneventful, but in the course of searching for the goblins themselves we were accosted by a very pale and stealthy vampire. She claimed to be working for one known as the "Queen" and warned us to stay out of the Spire, as it was the territory of the Queen. Possibly charmed by my good looks, or conceivably frightened of my spear, she left us alone after the warning. We decided attacking her would be a distraction to the mission and continued searching for the goblins.

Eventually we found them, and managed to convince them to come to Sanctuary and enjoy the freedom of our home in exchange for a promise to abide by the laws of free men. They seemed enthusiastic about the idea after being assured we were not vampires ourselves and that the whole thing wasn't an elaborate ruse.

They did, however, insist on our aid in getting vengeance on a group of ogres who had apparently murdered and consumed the wife of their chief. We set out to do so, and did battle with a band of extremely dangerous ogres who were slain.

We escorted the whole tribe of goblins, less than thirty in number, back to Lower Sanctuary without incident. It is worth noting that the goblins seem to have claimed a quarter of their own directly in the abandoned alleys south of the Canal and of the main part of Lower Sanctuary.

There are two major implications to the report as I see it -

(1) There is now a population of perhaps 30+ wild and uncivilized goblins living in Lower Sanctuary, which represents both a great opportunity to help them improve themselves but also the obligation to ensure that their neighbors are well protected and safe. The goblins themselves seemed mostly peaceful and amenable to the ways of Sanctuary, but I do not think we should be naive about the nature of many goblins.

(2) The Vampires within the Spire feel sufficiently powerful that they are willing to openly proclaim their dominion of territory, and are not at all concerned with their activities there becoming known to Sanctuary. They are a clear threat to Sanctuary due to their reliance on (as I understand) a continuous supply of fresh blood. I strongly recommend that efforts be made to discover their exact lair, a means of entrance, and a strong group formed to destroy them as soon as possible before they grow any stronger.

Orison Hallafat

Orison Hallafat,

You are either the bravest or the stupidest man I have ever met There are not many in sanctuary who would have stood strong in the presence of a Vampire, against warning…ventured further into the Spire to rescue goblins, then slaughter Ogres at the goblins request, then lead the goblins back to the safety of Sanctuary. I am a complete loss of words...

I trust all of your companions made it back safely? Let me be among the first to tell you congratulations in making it back to Sanctuary safely. This was no small feat you accomplished...even if most (including myself) would disagree with you leading the goblin tribe back to sanctuary for refuge. You have done great work this day, and I will be providing you very useful intelligence report to the other seekers within the Hall.

Continue to Travel Safe and Hunt Fearlessly,

*signed* Kor'us Corcael

Seeker Kor'us,

I assure you I am neither particularly brave or stupid, simply a young man with a taste for adventure. I'm glad to say we suffered no fatalities during the course of our expedition.

I'd suggest you'd give the presence of the goblins in Sanctuary more thought. Have not Gobbler and Grulpo faithfully followed kept the peace? Would an entire tribe of civilized, peaceful goblins not be a great boon to the cause of freedom, and the cause of Sanctuary? Still, I can certainly see how you might be concerned and indeed that is partially why I wrote. My only hope is that the goblins turn out in the long run to be an asset to the town.

I've another report about the vampires living in the Spire that I thought might interest you. Myself and a small group of others were hired by a local rothe herder to investigate why a herd he purchased from Fort Mur had not yet arrived.

We decided the quickest way to go would be to travel by ferry, and it was in the course of our travels through the Grunstubhle mines that we noticed a strange and very pale man following us. Suspicious of vampires, we accosted him but he explained he was simply being cautious and we hurried to the ferry and from there to Mur.

Once at the Fort, we met up with our employeer's partner and learned that he'd subcontracted the job of herding the rothe to Sanctuary to a duergar named Smyrr.

We headed out into the wilderness, and soon stumbled upon Smyrr and another pale figure who turned out to be a vampire. Smyrr gave us the slip, and the vampire attacked us. The vampire was defeated. It became clear to us that Smyrr was working for the Vampire at the Spire, and channeling them rothe herds presumably to feed their thirst.

We entered into a series of cave that Smyrr had fled into, and there found a large number of bugbear rothe handlers. We killed them all, and eventually found the rothe herd itself.

On the way out, we stumbled into Smyrr and his duergar partner. We captured Smyrr, and he pleaded for his life so pitifully that we finally made an arrangement with him. In exchange for his life, and assurances from us not to tell his fellow duergar at Fort Mur of his treachery, he agreed to cooperate with us as needed in order to bring down these vampires and find an entrance to their lair.

I've personally snooped around the Spire a bit invisible, and I'm fairly sure the vampires are making their home behind a large crypt door. The door itself is very securely sealed, so a key would be a necessity.

Hopefully Smyrr will turn up with a key, but I'm not holding my breath. I've a few other ideas for how we might get the all-important key if necessary, which I'd be glad to discuss in person. One way or another I've no doubt that with time we'll bring down these vampires.

Please consider my interest in your organization as strong as ever, and let me know if there's anything I can do to prove my value as a Seeker Agent.

Orison Hallafat

P.S. My good friend Denten the Gnome (he actually built my arm) is interested too, I hope you've had a chance to meet him as he's a really very remarkable and capable gnome.

Orison,

This is an incredibly interesting report, and I would like for you to continue to lead this matter up for the seekers, while providing intelligence reports along the way. Understand that my particular views are not shared by many within the Seeker Organization, but I must elaborate on goblins you herded in. Goblins by their very nature are dangerous, disgusting, and evil beings. And the fact that any of them (as well as Kobolds, deep orcs, Drow, etc) are tolerated in this city, is well beyond my comprehension. Yet, I would concede that Gobbler and Grulpo are the exception to the rule….thus far. Would you bear full responsibility if one of these goblins you herded in was to injure a citizen? I feel strongly that we must lead all of surface races back into the sun’s graces, however we must to everything within our power to insure that they are protected in Sanctuary while we search.

Nonetheless, you have done quite well and have proven yourself as bold and capable. Continue to work this matter, accomplish your seeker paperwork, and I will provide Ivlysar with a strong recommendation of you. As for your friend, we are always seeking the sort that values freedom and safety. Have your friend Denten make contact with one of the Seekers or myself for a bit of a more formulized interview. And we will go from there.

*signed elegantly* Kor’us Corcael