Thrania,

I've written you another article.

- Orison

Orison's History of Sanctuary

The story of Sanctuary has been that of brave souls struggling to live free. In the beginning, this took the form of escaped slaves making a new home for themselves in these old ruins. Fresh from the horror of drow, illithid, lizardfolk, beholder, duergar, and other monsters the inhabitants of this place fashioned a town where its leaders would be raised up by popular vote, and where energy was spent both to defend this town but also find a way to the surface and help others break free from their enslavement. But as the years went on, this town of freedom was gradually corrupted by the forces of tyranny.

The initial stages of this tyranny began with Melinda Bresley, founder of the Spellguard and Sanctuary's first aspiring Tyrant. From its start, the Spellguard existed to invent absurd rules and to destroy those who spoke against it. The Order, largely made up of effeminate men in dresses or ice-bitches like Melinda, was incapable of doing little on its own. To compensate for its own inadequacies, the group cannibalized the wondrous technology of the svirfneblin and perverted it to help them crush their enemies. Anyone who manifested arcane talent but refused to join their order was denounced and destroyed.

It's likely that the Spellguard was responsible for stealing Frederick Bresley's maps and notes that he left behind on the occasion of his glorious ascent. This will be difficult to prove as long as The Tower of the Spellguard remains sealed and secret to the public, but it stands to reason that the Order would consider a safe path upwards to be a threat to the integrity of its rule over Sanctuary's frightened and complacent citizens.

On the occasion of the death of Melinda Bresley, the Spellguard saw an opportunity to destroy those who still spoke against them. Ivlysar Tal'en'qir, Seeker and close friend of Frederick Bresley, was blamed for her death. This is wholly preposterous, and ultimately proven to be the lie that it was. Of course, this hasn't stopped the Spellguard (more specifically, its prostitute annalists in the Archibald family) to continue to claim that Ivlysar was responsible for this lie in a long-waged campaign of distortion.

Lower Sanctuary from its start was made up of those uncomfortable with the tyrannical rules of the Upper Sanctuary establishment. Although for a time the district was mostly left alone, this came to a sad end when the Spellguard tyrannically seized Councilor Alexander Ubel. Councilor Ubel was a popular figure who had the guts to tell the truth about the Spellguard. As such, they deeply feared and hated him and seized him for a trumped up charge and ultimately murdered him.

His family and the people of Lower rose up to help him, but the Watch had long since been corrupted by the Spellguard and were used to brutal effect to crush Lower. Under Sheriff Dhogur, the people of Lower was broken and a brutal order imposed that rivaled the worst excesses of former drow masters. Although the Ubel Rebellion was crushed, it is rumored that some of its freedom-loving veterans remain, tirelessly waiting the end of the Spellguard Tyranny so they can return to Sanctuary.

Perhaps looking to more closely emulate the tactics of slave-keeping races, the Tigereye Mercenaries were hired by the Spellguard-dominated Council as another way to control Lower Sanctuary. Although ultimately not liked by anybody, the brutal and effective Tigereyes were able to kill most of the remaining leaders of Lower and generally work to further crush the spirit of Lower's oppressed people.

It was only recently that the long-endured weight of Tigereye rule was cast off by the long-suffering people of Lower. Unfortunately, the void of their rule was filled in with both good and bad men. Although many citizens banded together, others formed into brutal gangs that demanded tribute for passing through their territory.

Now is a momentous time for Sanctuary and its Lower region. For now, Lower is ruling itself. It is time for the people to cement the principles of self-governance and freedom. It is time to remember the spirit of Frederick Bresley, and the promise of a settlement of free men.

If you're willing to take part in a brighter, happier, and more free Sanctuary now is the time to act. The Brotherhood of the Ascension is eagerly looking to include others in its number. If you've questions about the Brotherhood, how you can help Sanctuary and its people, seek out Orison Hallafat or any Seeker.

- Orison Hallafat