Lieutenant,

I have seen a notice that the area we are contracted to defend is now re-opened to negotiations. This is quite a shock to me, as to my knowledge we have fullfilled every term and condition listed in the contract.

We of the Stoutheart Clan would like to know why we are apparently having our contract revoked without notice and without written or verbal notification of any violation of the terms of our contract.

In fact, we are in the process of formulating a plan that would include both representatives of the Watch and the Spellguard, to journey down to the source of these powerful Chosen and rid their threat to Sanctuary once and for all.

If indeed this contract is being revoked, it seems that the cause for such should be submitted to the principal party for this contract at the very least, and perhaps a hearing conducted for us to respond to this reason for voiding the contract.

Thane Rollo Stoneshield Stoutheart Clan Governor of Barak-Tor

A letter arrives even as Rollo wrote:

Lt. Fawkes,

I have received your letter just as I had sent mine own. Needless to say we are very disappointed at your decision to re-open the contract for negotiation based on the massacre that occurred. In effect you are notifying us that we have failed to meet the terms of the contract, and we would disagree with that assessment.

As we were in fact following the terms of our contract in investigating the source of the Chosen, and had no way of physically preventing the Flying Chosen from slipping past your Watchman stationed at the stairs, it seems most unjust to hold us liable for that event.

If we were unable to detect and prevent these enhanced, arcane magic-using Chosen from leaving the platform area, flying about Sanctuary and snatching citizens, then slaughtering them.....how can we be expected to quickly and flippantly formulate any plan that can ensure it doesn't happen again?

I would note that no Watchman were able to detect these Chosen flying about Sanctuary despite being issued gear that enhances their ability to do so. To hold the warriors and folk of the Stouthearts liable for the same failing seems most unjust.

We requested to launch a strong sortie to cleanse the area of this threat, and you refused us permission. You requested that we forumlate a plan to ensure the near impossible, gave no deadline for such, and now state that we have failed in presenting this plan fast enough to please you.

Such a plan takes much consideration, and careful construction. We were in the process of doing so and now hear that our service to Sanctuary seems unappreciated and below expecations of our contract.

We will be contacting you whether we are indeed interesting in resubmitting a bid for the contract we feel we already are in accordance with.

Council of Elders Stoutheart Clan Barak-Tor

"I feel that this is an insult upon our honor and once again, shows a lack of appreciation for our efforts in Sanctuary. "

I fear that the skinny whelp, the dickless Sheriff must respond to this Rollo Stoneshield. Respect is not something you are handed but something you give before you can receive.

Ronus Graiden and I were friends. He wrote of the Watch once, "Stop spitting on our organization. Stop treating us as though we are dirt, to be kicked around and slandered and mistreated and ignored. We strive to preserve the order and security of our fair city."

Why is it that the Stout's sacrifices and work mean more than the Watch's efforts? Why is it that you think you are "defending" Sanctuary and "paying" for the right to do so? You agreed to rent a dangerous piece of property--did you not do this out of a hope for some gain for your people?

Or perhaps your people wished to demonstrate their worth to Sanctuary. They desire respect as Stouts. Therein lays the crux of many of our disagreements and misinterpretations. You quote dwarven law often, and I admit it must be a fascinating body to study.

However, it is not Sanctuary law. Your people do not consider themselves a part of Sanctuary or a participant in its story, its history, or its struggles. You believe yourselves set apart, and perhaps even above others. You insult Sanctuary law by comparing it to your dwarven law.

The decision to reopen the contract to new offers and negotiations was not "a smegging insult, we worked hard ta patrol the darn area and even paid rent." It was a realization that your first and primary interest is not the citizen of Sanctuary, but the welfare of Clan Stoutheart.

When 25 citizens died, you did not mourn them. You did not offer an apology to their families or to Sanctuary stating that you felt any sorrow that delving deeper into Dunwarren caused the Chosen response that killed so many. You failed to even realize that your contract was to kill the monsters in the region, but never at any time was it to eliminate all Chosen or to explore deeper into Sanctuary in a manner that may bring risk to it. Nor in the undertaking to delve deeper did you ever share your plans with the Watch which you contractually swore to work with.

Now what is honor among the Stouts?

Councilor Runehammer has always treated me with respect to my face.

"I'll have words with the slim whelp."

I have never insulted him, at worse I've voiced my concern that the Stouts do not think of themselves as members of Sanctuary's society. If Sanctuary falls, the Stouts will desert us. It has long been my concern that they place the honor of themselves far above the safety of Sanctuary.

" Elders,

I wonder if we would not be better off leaving Sanctuary entirely. I tire of the lack of respect and appreciation we have received by the Watch and Council over the last many months.

Perhaps we can move the Clan to Lizard city, which reportedly is near some evil giant settlements and we might wage war upon them.

Thane Rollo Stoneshield"

This only proves it. When Councilor Tyrell recently called me a "sick little man", or when the Seekers stated that the citizens should arm themselves to attack the Watch on the streets, or when Tommy Ten-Irons posted a bounty for every Watchman who entered Lower Sanctuary--when Sanctuary spit upon the Watch and damned the Watch, the Watch always remained at its post. It never would abandon Sanctuary, it would never consider abandoning Sanctuary because protecting our people means more to us than any honor or any image others may hold of us.

We do our duty because it is our duty. We protect Sanctuary because it is our home and we will not leave it for any other.

All you did in terms of Barak-Tor is find a place to live where you were not near duergar. The Chosen did not come up those stairs to attack citizens although we wished to create a post there to defend against that. A far easier option for the Watch would have been to simply seal the stairwell. Instead, we made an offer of a territory and support for a force that wished to establish a post in this dangerous reason and rent the land there from the Watch. We required certain conditions and it is my feeling those conditions are not being met adequetely.

You benefited by gaining territory to use as a Clan Home. The Watch benefitted by having a force that could study our foes. However, do not pretend that you do not benefit.

"I agree with Kasin,

let's resubmitt our lease but with the following clauses:

1) Minimal rent to be paid = 1 gold per year

2) The watch will station addiontal privates at the base of the stairs

3) That FECKED up Ballista needs ta be fixed so it can shoot feckin' straight

4) The Council needs to decree that we've been doing a bloody fine job for this sewer of a town "

You believed the arrangement was quite in your interest before. Clearly you no longer even have respect for this sewer of a town. Clearly, it is not enough to be granted a home for your people, you must be honored for claiming it.

Yet, do you think the citizens of this 'sewer' will hold any honor for you if they were to ever learn what you truly think of them, or how quickly you are willing to abandon them? Your error is thinking that your Stouts are greater than the whole of Sanctuary, rather than understanding that they are one of many cogs in the wheel of this society. Important yes, valued yes, but still only a part of a whole and often a cog must be willing to be overlooked while it works because it is not the cog's place to seek honor, its place is but to do and die in defense of the greater whole.

Finally, for the official record. Your contract has not been terminated. The Watch merely wished to look at additional offers. Your debate on the matter and your opinion of the citizens of Sanctuary and of this city though will be considered by the Watch fully. Just be thankful that I am not the coward filled with hatred for the Stouts you believe I am, or I would share your words and views with our citizens.

Lieutenant Fawkes

Lieutenant Fawkes,

I am disppointed that you have felt it necessary to focus so much of your time on generally law-abiding citizens such as the Stouthearts, instead of taking care of actual threats to the people of Sanctuary.

There is an illithid wizard enthralling citizens of Sanctuary based near the Dark Lake, yet to our knowledge you have done nothing to stop him.

There are humanoids that are in fact invading Lower, that you have done nothing to remove. In fact, when I offered the efforts of the Stoutheart Clan to assault the kobolds and goblins that are harassing and threatening citizens of Sanctuary, you scoffed at the abilities and combat power of the score and five Stouts I can bring to bear.

The Watch has done nothing to rid Barak-Tor of the Chosen Menace now that it has been identified. In fact, you have ordered us to not exterminate them by requesting a battle plan with impossible conditions to be approved, so that we might gain "permission" to remove this threat.

A dragon has slain two Councilors, yet the Watch sits idly by. At your command I assume. How many Councilors have been slain while you have been an officer of the Watch?

Should you then be held responsible as the Senior ranking member of the Watch that "allowed" this dragon to slay Council members without any reaction from the force paid to protect these important citizens of Sanctuary?

By your own standards, you should be held liable and stripped of rank for "failing" to prevent or respond to the murder of our Councilors. Fortunately for you, the Council does not have such unreasonable criteria to evaluate job performance.

Unfortunately the safety of Sanctuary is being compromised when the attention of the ranking officer of the Watch is being focused on personal vendettas against citizens instead of overwhelming threats at our very doorstep.

Thane of the Stoutheart Clan

*The letters are forwarded to Kasin with a tiny note.

"Marponeth 18, 151 Kasin Moonsbane Barak-Tor Regard: Enclosed Copies of Letters

Any response by me will merely bring more unreasonable hostility. You and I both realize that Rollo has no concept of what the Watch is doing to protect Sanctuary, and furthermore that I'm far too more busy with these efforts than with handling Barak-Tor. Simply put, I have better things to do than to argue with him, as Rollo personally pointed out.

If you can reason with Rollo, please do so. Otherwise, I'll remain in accordance with the agreement we hammered out today.

Respectfully,

Lieutenant Barrister Fawkes"