Order of the Spellguard,

My name is Anciano Tumanay, of the Household of Tumanay. I have an interest in joining the Spellguard. I believe I will be very useful to your Order, a subject which I'd be happy to expand upon at great length if desired. I have thus far met with two of your agents: Agent Winters and Agent Manth. Agent Winters interviewed me regarding my intentions, and assigned me to the creation of a pamphlet on vampires within Sanctuary. This was completed, please find the attached pamphlet. I regret to have learned that he is now dead.

Agent Manth commendably questioned me at some length, but seemed to believe that the proper course of action for myself as a prospective agent involved performing various tasks in order to be initiated into the "Associates" program, and from there rise slowly in the ranks of the Associate program, until finally the possibility of the Spellguard.

I must admit, I have little interest in this process. This is not due to an inflated ego or laziness, but rather because of a realistic understanding of my own potential value to your organization. My time is limited. My own experience and background gives me confidence that I am prepared to accept the responsibility of joining your Order. I will not be a disappointment, but I am afraid wearing the tunic of an associate and being assigned to menial labors is beneath my stature and talents.

The decision is yours.

Anciano Tumanay

Vampires and You

Vampires are a form of animated sentient undead that are dependent upon the blood of the living to sustain themselves. Because of this great thirst, vampires are a terrible threat to any settlement, including Sanctuary. When a vampire feeds off of a human host, draining it fully of blood, its victim often returns as a vampire themselves. In this manner, a small population of vampires can rapidly expand and become a real menace to any society.

Vampires vary in type, with stronger versions being difficult to distinguish from richly-clad, pale humans and weaker kinds resembling ghouls or wights. All vampires possess remarkable regenerative powers, and can not be fully destroyed without access to a coffin and stake. Some vampires possess other powers, including the ability to charm a victim with a glance, control lesser beasts, command the undead, turn into smoke and mist, and drain a victim's life with but a touch.

The closest group of vampires to Sanctuary live in a region of the Underdark known as the Spire, an enormous stalagmite to the north of the Low Road. The spire itself is crawling with feral vampires, most of them likely made from goblins or other lesser humanoids. The lair of the stronger vampires, including their leader known as the Queen, is beyond a large ornate door just north of the spire.

It is likely that this same group of vampires has been feeding off of the citizens of Sanctuary for a long time, and are dependent upon the town for their food. It is therefore vital for all citizens to take the threat of vampires seriously until this threat can be permanently eradicated. Even if you are a strong adventurer, vampires can be deceptively strong. Furthermore, even if a vampire's animated shell is destroyed, without access to its coffin it will shortly return just as dangerous as before.

Potions of invisibility and flight to populated, well-guarded areas is perhaps the wisest course of action when dealing with these creatures.

Anciano Tumanay,

If wearing a uniform and working "menial labors" for the city is beneath your stature and talents, what makes you suited for the elite? This lack of loyalty is appalling! And you obviously are not familiar with what the Associate Program does, as they do not conduct "menial labor". That and how is your time "limited"?

Prove your loyalty to the city and that you will go to any length, including the menial ones for the city's needs and maybe I'll even consider you for the Associate's program.

-Field Officer Ferrington Order of the Spellguard Mages

Field Officer Ferrington,

One possibility is that I am arrogant idiot with an exaggerated sense of entitlement.

Another possibility is that the blood of the Imaskari Archmages, whose accomplishments made even the wizards of Netheril seem as pedestrian in their incantations as any contemporary apprentice, flows pure through my veins. If your 150 year old order does not wish to benefit from the experience of a society that has endured in the darkness for many thousands of years, it is your loss, not mine. It saddens me that you'd rather your prospective agents simper and flatter and debase themselves and bend the neck to be offered the privilege of becoming an "associate." It saddens me because I do, respectfully, wish to join the order, but I will not lie about what I am or what I can do. It also disappoints because the genius that marked the early days of the Spellguard will surely not be present in later generations if all Agents are forced to crawl like worms before they are offered their robes.

Agent Manth asked me to compile information on a "Mr. Poppers." He explained that this Mr. Poppers was apparently a cigar-smoking boy who works for the Cave Worm Clan of Barbarians. I sincerely hope he was just trying to enhance the difficulty of the task assigned to me, as the information he provided was not in any way accurate.

Mr. Poppers is a middle-aged citizen of Lower, dressed roughly, typically wearing a hood. He serves as a kind of father/protector figure for large numbers of dispossessed orphans and street urchins. He travels in the company of two young boys who act as his bodyguards, one of whom does indeed regularly smoke cigars (probably the source of the confusion). He does not work for the Cave Worm Clan, but he's regularly seen in the Canal Ward. Most of the begging children in Lower probably work for him, and see that he gets a share of their profits. Many of the children probably also serve as pickpockets or petty thieves. I was unable to determine where exactly Mr. Poppers makes his home, I imagine he regularly moves around.

Anciano Tumanay

Anciano Tumanay,

Frankly we don't care about your bloodline unless you can prove your undying loyalty to the city. Though I am curious about this "ancient bloodline" and how it makes the Netheril look like incompetents. Come see me at the Tower. If you can beat me at a duel I may consider the talents of your Imaskari heritage. While your work isn't bad, your attitude is the worst I've seen in an aspirant in all my time in the Order.

On an entirely different note, thank you for the information on "Mr. Poppers". I am glad that you are willing to continue to work for your goals regardless of how I disapprove of your outlook.

-Field Officer Ferrington Order of the Spellguard Mages