Marponeth 19, 151 Council Townhall Regard Shadow Dragon
I have met with the Shadow Dragon which controls the Shadow Tribe kobolds. The Council will be pleased to know that I have convinced it to withdraw from Sanctuary along with all of its forces. However, it wishes to negotiate a full agreement with Sanctuary and either directly with the Council or through intermediaries before it withdraws.
In essence, the dragon desires claim to the abandoned city of Slaal'teesh. In return for an agreement for open trade and friendship, all of its kobolds will relocate from our city to there. The dragon also wishes to extend not just mutual trade but also a military alliance.
It has by its admission already attacked and destroyed illithid and drow who would have attacked us. I confirm that this is quite accurate.
I stood on the gates in the canal when the dragon destroyed the drow mercenary band that attacked us. Although rumors indicated that Baldev Cole hired these mercenaries, the truth appears different. The mercenaries who survived the encounter were never located, but it is not unreasonable to presume that Cole attempted to warn the drow not to attack Sanctuary. He did in fact later fall beneath their blades attempting to drive them out. It is highly unlikely he staged the attack.
Furthermore, Cole did aid me to remove a powerful illithid threatening Sanctuary from the abandoned mines. I find the likelihood the dragon is lying minimal.
With the Council's permission, I can draft a treaty we can present to the dragon but I'd like a statement within a few days clearly indicating the Council will finally negotiate in good faith. Citizens are currently planning all manner of attacks against the dragon's forces; if they launch such an assault Sanctuary will not survive it. We'll need to flee to save any lives while the Watch will die to a man buying you the time to evacuate.
I think letting the dragon withdraw to Slaal'teesh with an agreement to open trade and alliance with us is far preferable to letting it kill hundreds of us.
I'd suggest issuing just the following:
Citizens of Sanctuary, the Council has opened negotiations with the Shadow Tribe kobolds to affect their quick withdrawal from our city. We ask for patience in this time of turmoil, but a peaceful solution is nearing which will leave Sanctuary far stronger than it was just a year ago.
The following letter can be sent to the dragon.
Shadow Death,The Council of Sanctuary seriously wishes to consider your offer to withdraw your forces to Slaal'teesh and open trade and military treaties between our city and your new territory. We are debating how to handle the formation of these treaties through either direct talks or through appointed ambassadors.
Security of Sanctuary is my business. I can handle these negotiations unless the Council wishes to do it in tandem or through a single member. I suggest a single ambassador whose agreement the Council can vote to uphold. It will be far faster and speed is essential before a citizen does something that leads us all to death.
Lieutenant Fawkes