Defenders of Sanctuary,

While it is clear that Sanctuary does not currently regard me as an ally, this need not be the case.

As I have said before, threats surround Sanctuary on all sides. Some among you have seen myself and the Shadow Tribe as one of those threats all along, others have only come to see me as a menace in more recent days. Yet others have recognized the potential help that I can offer this settlement. It is in the latter capacity that I pen this proposal.

Sanctuary has begun to gear up for war against the lizardfolk city of Ssal'tessh. It has also, I expect, begun to prepare for war with the goblins and kobolds of Lower Sanctuary, after they were decreed exiled. I believe a solution can be reached which can benefit us both. With this in mind, and as the warleader of the Shadow Tribe, I offer the following agreement:

1. All hostilities will cease between my forces and the forces of Sanctuary.

2. The Shadow Tribe will assist Sanctuary in both its defense against the Lizardfolk and any attacks on the Lizardfolk city. The entire force of kobolds, many hundreds highly skilled in military matters, will go to war against the lizardfolk enemy. Transportation will need to be arranged.

3. When the war is over and the lizardfolk settlement destroyed, the Shadow Tribe will be allowed to settle in the ruined city and rebuild. Ssall'tessh will become a friendly foreign settlement, occupied by the Shadow Tribe, which will trade freely with Sanctuary. If there are resources to be had in or around the city, arrangements will be made for the trading of these resources with Sanctuary, or the collection of these resources by Sanctuarians. All such arrangements are to be made after the war, as the war is the primary concern at this time.

4. Once the lizardfolk are destroyed and the Shadow Tribe have settled in their ruins, no member of the Shadow Tribe kobolds will reside permanently in Sanctuary again. All remaining families in the Southern Alleyways and the Canal Ward will vacate Sanctuary for Ssall'tessh. When and should they visit, the Shadow Tribe will be treated as honored guests, provided food and lodging as necessary, but they will establish no settlement and build no families. The people and organizations of Sanctuary will not attack or kill Shadow Tribe members. Guests from Sanctuary will be treated with similar respect when they visit the rebuilt ruins of the lizardfolk city.

5. Negotiations will be re-opened on the matter of the Dark Serpent's will to protect Sanctuary and keep it safe.

Your response may be left with Ryxx the Mighty, Champion of the Shadow Tribe, or at Fort Mur.

Until in darkness next we speak,

Baldev Cole Warleader of the Shadow Tribe Chosen Disciple of The Dark Serpent

Duplicate copies are sent to the new council, again to the Watch, and also to the Spellguard and the Mayor, with an addendum:

The lizardfolk could attack at any time. Waste no more time and you will waste no lives.

*Private Haren De’votell finishes reading the letter, then crumbles and tosses it into the rubbish can. He walks off saying to himself “Baldav Cole and his foul cur creatures stay here is at and end and their eviction is long over due. If he wishes to make his own empire, he will have to do it completely by himself!”*

Defenders of Sanctuary,

Your foolishness costs lives. You had best know what you are doing. You have shown me the greatest disrespect, when respect is what I value most.

My demands will therefore increase:

1. All hostilities will cease between my forces and the forces of Sanctuary.

2. The Shadow Tribe will assist Sanctuary in both its defense against the Lizardfolk and any attacks on the Lizardfolk city. The entire force of kobolds, many hundreds highly skilled in military matters, will go to war against the lizardfolk enemy. Transportation will need to be arranged.

3. When the war is over and the lizardfolk settlement destroyed, the Shadow Tribe will be allowed to settle in the ruined city and rebuild. Ssall'tessh will become a friendly foreign settlement, occupied by the Shadow Tribe, which will trade freely with Sanctuary. If there are resources to be had in or around the city, arrangements will be made for the trading of these resources with Sanctuary, or the collection of these resources by Sanctuarians. All such arrangements are to be made after the war, as the war is the primary concern at this time.

4. Once the lizardfolk are destroyed and the Shadow Tribe have settled in their ruins, no member of the Shadow Tribe kobolds will reside permanently in Sanctuary again. All remaining families in the Southern Alleyways and the Canal Ward will vacate Sanctuary for Ssall'tessh. When and should they visit, the Shadow Tribe will be treated as honored guests, provided food and lodging as necessary, but they will establish no settlement and build no families. The people and organizations of Sanctuary will not attack or kill Shadow Tribe members. Guests from Sanctuary will be treated with similar respect when they visit the rebuilt ruins of the lizardfolk city.

5. Negotiations will be re-opened on the matter of the Dark Serpent's will to protect Sanctuary and keep it safe.

6. 20,000 golden coins will be paid to myself as an initial tribute for the aid of my forces and the support of the Great Shadow.

Should you continue to show me disrespect, I will continue to take from you what you value most: Your lives and your freedom.

With Utmost Sincerity,

Baldev Cole

Baldev Cole,

Meet me at the Pyrimo, I want to speak with you in person.

- Councilor Aaron J. Russell

Cole, I am at a loss to understand why you are increasing your demands. We negotiated in good faith, what has occurred?

Fawkes