*this letter still sits in Varlam's "IN" box*

Archivist,

I have received two different communications from two different gnomes requesting access to Barak-Tor to "inspect and evaluate" the property.

It surprises me that you did not notify me or the Stoutheart Clan previously that this would be occuring. I also wonder at the necessity of having an unknown civilian being included into an already murky legal situation.

What qualifications does this gnome have to assess and report on a dwarven clanhome? How are we to know that his motives are unbiased in this? Is it necessary to humor him and be at his beck and call to have him enter Barak-Tor at his whim?

Further, it seems that we are now subject to the oversight of the Watch, the Spellguard, the Herald's Office, and any gnome or person who wishes to "inspect" our premises without the proper paperwork or prior written notification of such. This is most inefficient and irregular, to say the least.

I would like to request that this awkward process be streamlined. I have assigned Hurndor Moonbane the responsibility of the rent payment, and likely will appoint another the task of ferrying about "inspectors". Would it be possible that these individuals be fully cleared by the Watch, the Spellguard, and evaluated by someone to determine their credentials before they announce that they need to inspect our home?

Finally, I would like the Order of the Pentinent Heart to be stricken from this contract as it no longer exists, and we receive no assistance from any of its previous members. I look forward to signing the edited contract, and learning of the name, credentials, and likely date of inspection for purposes of determining whether we deserve to retain the contract.

My thanks for your assistance in these matters.

Faenor Rollo Stoneshield Thane of the Stoutheart Clan Defender of Barak-Tor

* a follow up message arrives at the Herald's office, marked "ATTN Archivist Nikitovitch"* Archivist,

Thank you for informing me that Dugo Nish is to be the inspector. However, it pains me yet that this fellow's tryout for the position of Inspector is related to the honor and continued security of the Stoutheart Clan.

Again I ask, what qualifications and experience does this one have to judge the construction of a Stout Clanhome? Must we collect odd gadgets and construct a machinist's workshop to qualify as a competant job of remodeling?

And if this fellow has some personal bias toward the Stoutheart Clan or any of its individuals, he would appear to be able to have us evicted from our home at his say-so? That is a most uncomfortable arrangement. I would far prefer an actual member of the Watch with training in defensive emplacements be given this important responsibility. No offense intended to this good gnome, but this relationship is discomfiting rom our point of view, to say the least.

We will indeed be hospitable to this gnome Dugo Nish, but I wonder if these points I raise have been thoroughly considered? My thanks for listening to my concerns on this matter.

I am also enclosing a formal request for the rights of the Stoutheart Clan to possess the unused mines vacated by the Grunstuhbles, for the purposes of resuming the production of metal ores and the processed metals necessary for the creation of metal goods and products in Sanctuary.

*signed* Thane Rollo Stoneshield

Formal Application for Ownership Rights of the Unused and Abandoned Mines, previously possessed and operated by the Grunstuhble Clan

The Stoutheart Clan does state our intent to possess the area of the mines to the north of the West Gate of Upper Sanctuary:

- This area shall extend from the Southern Opening of the former Grunstuhble Mines, and all common walls to the interior of said cave complex, all tunnels and chambers therein, including the lower abandoned mines that terminate at the Western Opening at the Eastern Ridge overlooking the Dark Lake. - For purposes of clarity, the area of cave complexes immediately North of the West Gate will heretofore be known as the Old Mines. The lower area beginning at the far NorthWest portion of the Old Mines shall be known as the Lower Mines. - The Stoutheart Clan submits this intention of possession on the basis of taking over mining and ore processing operations formerly conducted by the departed Duergar Grunstuhble Clan. - The Old and the Lower Mines, including where separated by a series of small, sharply sloped sections of tunnel from the NW terminus of the formerly active mines will be considered as one (1) property claimed and owned by the Stoutheart Clan. - All ineractions concerning the possession, administration and operation of the above property will be determined by the Stoutheart Council of Elders, and these will be conveyed via the current Thane of the Stoutheart Clan to and from any individuals or representatives of bodies governing or operating in Sanctuary and other locations.

Intentions of the Stoutheart Clan relative to said property:

- The use of this area as a passageway from the area around the West Gate to the Dark Lake by citizens will be unhindered unless it is determined that they are a threat to the mining industries in the Old Mines. - A mining company heretofore known as Stoutheart Mining shall be created to provide the needed labor force to resume mining operations. Funding for the company is yet undetermined, although the crucial need for metal items both domestic and military would seem to necessitate emergency funding by the Council. - Metal ores and the processed metals will be the property of Stoutheart Mining, and will initially be exchanged to customers at the previous rate before the Mines were abandoned. - The intentions to erect a forge and smithy at the location to augment the production of metal goods, possibly with the cooperation of the Mikkelson family providing some or all of the skilled smiths needed to meet the high demand. - Defensive fortifications and/or security forces may be emplaced by Stoutheart mining to defend this crucial resourse from military attack or sabotage.

The Stoutheart Clan Council of Elders: Thane Rollo Stoneshield Founder Gimball Harrenhock Sonnlinor Porki Thule Mastersmith Gloinar Runehammer Hurndor Kasin Moonbane Captain Cronus Shatterslate Alaghor Talir Razenk

Thane Stoneshield,

What other communications from gnomes have you received in regards to the property of Barak-Tor recently? Only Dugo Nish have I had contact with in the last tenday.

Contractually, the Spellguard (and here ends their involvement really) or Watch may appoint the Representative; as they are occupied with law enforcement and civil defense duties, and having drawn up the contract, I've taken it upon myself to aid these organizations in selecting one who might spare their time and technical knowledge to evaluate your lease, as I already possess the legal knowledge of the contract's workings. I'm looking for someone to assist Town Hall, and with funding the other city agencies, in a permanent Inspector position. Whether or not the Clan passes the evaluation is unimportant to the application-- it is the quality of the evaluation itself that I will judge and present to my superiors as an example of Mr. Nish's abilities.

I thought that Mr. Nish had previous contact with your Clan in some effort to aid construction or exploration; if anything, my fear was that he may be sympathetic to the Clan, but I trust given the possibility of a followup evaluation if the report is questionable, that he will do an honest and impartial job. He is judging the Clan based on the contact, whether or not they are doing as expected of them, with consideration for the more difficult or long-term goals such as a forge or brewery. If you or any other Stouthearts question his intentions, feel free to address them to a Sergeant, Lieutenant, the Sheriff, or the Council (in that order, if necessary).

It is not my nor the Office of the Herald's obligation to remind the Watch and the Stoutheart Clan of their contractual rights and obligations. I am volunteering what few personal resources I have to aid these organizations in regards to Barak-Tor, but I fear you may hear nothing of me come next month's evaluation. Keep in mind that the evaluation period is always the first ten days of each month, and the rent is always due by (preferably not on or the day before, and hopefully not after) the thirtieth of each month.

Regarding the removal of the Order from the contract, Julian Fryar has not forwarded me the requested statement, and I cannot bring up re-neogitiation myself anyways. Lieutenant Fawkes should be capable enough with legal documents, especially those regarding Watch property, to adjust the contract himself. He may be more than willing to make the desired omission.

If any of this has seemed short with you, you have my most sincere apologies Thane; I would express them myself to you in Barak-Tor if you so desired. There are a great many matters in the city to see to and I cannot divert my attention too long on something out of personal interest when I have no duty to do so and it may interfere with my Archiving. My position has little authority as it is; the realm of my influence lies in dusty parchment, my knowledge, and what remains of my reputation as a mage of the Spellguard.

Varlam Nikitovich, Archivist 5 Marpenoth 151

Post Script: The abandoned mines are outside of Sanctuary; if you wish to claim them I see nothing legally prohibiting this, but the Stouthearts would need to be able to maintain their claim from those who would take it from them by force. To deter Sanctuary citizens from legally siezing the mines, I will pass along your application to the Council.