This journal is a small leather-bound tome, clasped with a thin band of silver. A small Espruar inscription along the front cover marks its as the property of Earas of House Nightstar. Many of the pages are filled with neat, flowing Espruar script.

11 Hammer, 1372 D.R.

Memoirs are, by necessity, one of the more common forms of personal literature in the Realms. Among the People, however, memoirs are rarer-while journals and personal recollections are certainly not unheard of, most are dedicated to more scholarly or historical pursuits. Thought and community joins the People together-if one is not able to share thoughts openly, then the scribing of them to a parchment makes little sense, and has even less purpose. Despite this, I have taken to keeping this writing for my impending journey-if nothing else, it will allow for my thoughts to be remembered, should I not fare so kindly upon it. I have little worry of death, but the Sage's teachings requit well those who ascribe to record the passing of the ages. My own personal thoughts are of little interest, but here they will remain, for better or worse.

12 Hammer, 1372 D.R.

The scars of devastation continue to linger across the once-pristine shores of the Isle. Efforts continue in earnest, however, to cover them, and to repair and rebuild what was damaged and taken from us. I have committed myself as best as I am able to assisting where I can, though my thoughts have wandered, and my intentions have shifted elsewhere often.

The assault upon the Isle was, and likely will remain, the most traumautic event to touch these serene shores since the Sundering. It was nearly unthinkable to us that our defenses could be breached-many had tried over the past millennia, and nearly all had failed. Yet, it is darkly ironic that one who was once one of our own-and who was once prominent among us-would betray us, and seek to bring doom to the sanctuary that had been protected for so long. His betrayal continues to inspire anger and thoughts of vengeance in our people, though his successful flight and escape has left those emotions without a target.

This trial, however, has done much to show the resilience of the people, and to rekindle the spirit of the Isle. Chief among us, the Queen's firm stance and resolute hand have continued to guide us through these dark times. Her rule is a blessing to us all, and I sincerely doubt that there will be many more who seek to challenge her right to rule in the coming days-though perhaps that is a foolish notion. There will always be those who represent the rightful authority of the Crown. Neverthless, the Queen's fortitude leaves no doubt that she will not broach any further threats against our people, or her own royal line, lightly.

The soldiers of the Isle have also displayed remarkable courage, from officers and veterans to those freshly drafted to defend the Isle. Lord Blackhelm's leadership, under the Queen's authority, has renewed vigor and inspired valor in all of the emerald warriors. Against an overwhelming tide that threatened to blanket the shores, we fought with resolve and determination-and the greatest threat the Isle has ever known was turned back.

Despite our seeming victory, however, much has changed upon the Isle. I write this to state, I suppose, that much has changed in me. I am no longer content to remain in service upon the Isle, and to attempt to rebuild an isolated nation. While I have the utmost respect for all who have committed to securing the Isle again, I simply feel that I have a different purpose now... or perhaps I am being drawn elsewhere.

The shattering of the Isle's serenity has left others, and myself, with a pressing sense of urgency to reconnect with the affairs of Faerun. The illusion of the Isle's tranquility from the remainder of Abeir-Toril has been shattered; for me, there is no mending of that transparency. Many others, however, seek to continue the Isle's seclusion, and to ignore the crush of affairs upon the mainland. I know that I cannot do this; for this reason, I commit these thoughts to this journal. For this reason, and more, I have resigned my commission and arranged to leave the Isle the following sunset.

My fellow soldiers have stated that they understand my decision, though it is an odd one to them, and to my family and House. Regardless, it has been made, and its commencement nears. Perhaps it is the call of delayed wanderlus, perhaps it is the desire to explore and see more of Faerun and Abeir-Toril, or perhaps, it is simply the desire to help where I can, and to show my people that reckless seclusion is no longer our place in the Realms. Whatever it is that I feel, I have indulged it; for better or worse, I have set foot on this journey.

It has been over half a century since I left the Cormanthor for the shores of the Isle. I left still a young, inexperienced apprentice-I return a trained soldier. Yet the apprehension I felt then is now doubled twofold, and the sense that I am resolving myself to a journey that is much greater than I am, unshakeable.

I will savor the memory of the sunset splashing and rippling upon the waters of the Trackless Sea, even as our vessel leaves the Isle for what may be the greatest adventure, or the most foolish decision, of my life. I pray to the Seldarine that I have made the proper choice.

27 Hammer, 1372 D.R.

I pen this passage from within the lower levels of Suldanessalar-the hidden forest city in the depths of Tethyr's interior. The city itself is marvelous-though it is no match for the coastal beauty of Nimlith or the royal spires of Leuthilspar, the accomplishment of its suspsension high within the trees of the Forest of Tethir is a wondrous feat. The city is calm and serene; it rests above the tumult of the forest floor and the nation below it, isolated and secluded from the strife that so recently walked across the land. It is much like the Isle was to mainland Faerun, I suppose, before the illusion of its safety was shattered by the trampling hooves of darkness.

The citizens of Suldanessalar, however, have yet to see their own seclusion destroyed or even heavily disturbed. There is a distinct note of caution among some of the nobility when dealing with us; I half-suspect that, were we not bound here from the Isle, we would not have been allowed in. They are distrustful, though perhaps it is natural-after all, we carry the taint of shattered protection upon us. Other residents are quite happy to converse with us, though-and many are swift to offer gratitude and praise for our actions on the Isle so very recently.

The voyage across the Trackless Sea was both pleasant and swift; a strong wind was at our back for most of the journey, and the waters were placid and unperturbed by the touch of the storm's hand. The Dolphin Prince undoubtedly guided our voyage, and kept us safe from the ravages that so often accompany ocean travel. The beauty of the voyage is not something that I will soon forget-from the first cascading rays of sunlight reaching out over the horizon to strike against the waves, to the waxing of the sun at its setting and the rising of the moon to illuminate the waters in a pale, shimmering glow. The Lunar Lady's beauty was ever so clearly displayed against the seemingly-endless waters, and the peace it inspired in all of us has left us with a steely determination for the journey ahead.

After beaching in Tethyr, the crew of the vessel wished us well before taking on the waiting supplies and departing. A contingent of rangers had been dispatched to escort us into the Forest of Tethir, and we again made swift time, arriving along the outskirts of Suldanessalar after several days of travel. We saw little of the scars that the Interregnum has left along the country, though our voyage north will undoubtedly enable us to witness them. The forest itself is an interesting and enchanting realm-though our path was relatively danger-free, our escort assured us that the forest has become much more dangerous since the tumult that swept across Tethyr so recently.

My first view of the city, while not breathtaking, was impressive and inspiring. The ascent gave us a clear, stark view of the city and the underlying forest, allowing us to fully appreciate the nature of the city's construction and sustainment. The architectural splendors, while not overly daring compared to those of the Isle, are impressive edifices nonetheless.

Our affairs here will conclude the following morning, at which point we will make our way north toward the upper reaches of Tethyr, and then to Amn and beyond. I am excited to finally travel among some of the more conflicted regions of the mainland, though I am also wary of the dangers. My companions seem equally intrigued at the prospect of our journey, though several remain grimly resolved to move to our final destination as swiftly as possible. Whichever route is taken, I have no doubt that the journey itself will be sublime.

The moon's waxing begins to still, and my mind begins to call for the relative peace of reverie. I will take a small amount of time more to indulge the view from within this treetop citadel, before I give in. Apprehension about what is to come may nibble at my thoughts, but I am hopeful that reverie will clear them.

3 Alturiak, 1372 D.R.

It has been six days since we left the Forest of Tethir. I mark this passage now from a secluded inn along the docks of Athkatla. Our departure from Suldanessalar was met with a small amount of fanfare, and we were wished well in our travels by the rangers who intitially guided us into the hidden city. I trusted that the blessings of the Leaflord would guide us safely out of the forest-rumors of humanoid monsters in its deeper reaches remained commonplace.

We moved north and west, making good time through the wood, before we skirted the edge of the lost Mytharan Woods at the heart of the Forest of Tethir. Though the trees were pierced several times by ominous echoes and callings, we continued to move uninterrupted, our eyes occasionally falling on a lost remnant of the elven tribes that once inhabited the Wealdath. I imagine this is much what the Cormanthor looks like now-a deserted, shadowy forest realm hinting at the relics and remnants of a once-great nation.

After skirting the edge of the Mytharan Woods, we moved further west, joining with the Trade Way and making haste for Trademeet. At the edge of the forest, we encountered our first quarrel-a band of bugbears, likely on the prowl for weak passerby. Our keen eyes gave us the better of the encounter, however, and four of our number were able to move silently among their ranks, sowing confusion before the remaining eight of us moved in and assisted them in finishing the creatures. We hastily buried the bodies, then continued along the Trade Way north to the edges of Tethyr.

After a brief stopover for supplies in Trademeet, we traversed the Trade Way into the Small Teeth Mountains and thence into the nation of Amn. Our stopover in Trademeet left little time to witness the scars of the Interregnum, but it is clear that the nation of Tethyr is rebuilding well under the guidance of its new monarchy. Another reminder of the strength of an enlightened ruler-but also the danger of complacence. It is said that Tethyr was once one of the safest nations in the Realms-now, while its safety has improved greatly since its internal strife, it remains far from it.

The mountain range was a curious one-the rock peaks were not as large as some of those I have been told of, though for one accustomed to the lush forests of the Isle, they were a stark departure. The vistas offered against the backdrop of the mountains were intriguing, but by no means a match for the Isle's.

After passing through Imnescar and holding another brief stopover for rest and supplies, we continued further into Amn. We were accosted by bandits no less than three times-though twice the bandits left peaceably, only leaving us to exchange blades with one group, who also quickly fled after we injured their leader. After perhaps a day's worth of this dangerous travel, four of our number split to the east, while the remainder of us continued west to Athkatla, the capital of Amn. Our arrival in the city was a shock, at least for me-a bustling, lively merchant city, filled with humans and even a relatively numerous variety of non-humans. The splendor and wealth openly displayed is also something that I am not accustomed to-from the rapid exchanges of coins at the hands of merchants, to the numerous rag-clad humans begging for coins in some of the more squalid streets. One of our first stops was a large market-apparently a pride of the city-where an impressive array of goods from across the Realms could be found. I was even told there were wares from a far-away land called "Maztica," that Amnian merchant-soldiers had conquered and begun to trade with. A curious prospect, really, that a small Empire of the Sand could subjugate an entire continent-though with the proper training and employ of the Weave, anything is possible.

Our other affairs kept us occupied afterward, and they leave me now in this inn room, listening to the lap of the seashore against the docks and the invective of a variety of workers as they unload a late cargo shipment. Tomorrow, we board a vessel and begin a journey along the Sword Coast to Waterdeep. The City of Splendors, it is called-journeying to it will certainly be a splendid adventure. My apprehension over this voyage has dimmed somewhat in the light of all that I have seen and discovered-though it does not yet leave me entirely. Perhaps it never will. Another reverie beckons, however, and I close this passage full of wonderment for what the Sword Coast will bring.