Alturiak 30th, year 152 (1374 DR - Lightning Storms).

My name is Zyviss. I descend from the Hilpian line of the Bonalt family from Cormyr. At the age of 23 I am now a citizen of Santuary.

I decided to write this journal out of a need of survival. Even if my body is dead, my thoughts will live on, if ever found. If you, the reader, find it somewhere in the depths of the Underdark, I would urge you to treat it with proper respect. It's also possible for you to learn something from, presumably numerous, mistakes of my life here.

*

A couple of winters must have passed on the surface since the day I arrived at Sanctuary. I can recall it vaguely. Since then I've completely lost tracks of years, months, weeks, or even days. It was a bit unsettling at the beginning, living here with that darkness surrounding everywhere. But I guess I got used to it. I even sometimes even think of it as a blessing. There are some things that are better left in the dark.

Recently I've been having some thoughts about my previous decisions. Maybe I decided to descend down to the Underdark a bit to hastily. But I don't regret anything I did. Regret is the first step to weakness. And this is no place for a weak person.

I've came in contact with some people who are constantly looking for the Way of Frederick Bresley. Fools, that's what they are. Even if there is a way, what use would they have for it? I can't imagine returning to the outside world after all that time I've spent here. But anyway, it would be nice to establish a safe route outside, just to keep in touch with the other people. What am I thinking. All the people I've ever known have long forgotten about me. I can't say I really care. I don't feel attached to anything from the surface. The organisation I belonged to means nothing down here. In fact, everything is meaningless. What matters is survival and well-being.

I wonder how comes I haven't got in contact with any indigenous race inhabiting the depths of the Underdark, like drow, for example. I have heard many stories about them, I've even spoken to someone who claimed he has seen one (though I see him as a reliable source), yet I feel exhilarated on the thought of meeting one of them. I'm curious about their ways. How do they treat outsiders? Could I fit in their society? How would they treat me if I ever trespassed their territory? I don't know the answers to these questions, but I intend to find out, sooner or later.

Better stay out of trouble, though.

*

I bought myself a tailored suit later this day. I dyed it with emerald colour dye I found while exploring troglodyte caves by the Dark Lake. It looks quite... eccentric. But at least everyone can see who is the influential person down here.

***

Ches 2nd.

To my amazement, I met a fellow Cormyrian yesterday. Her name is Clara Fireheart, of some noble family I can't recall much about now. Probably too much time passed for me to retain knowledge on such trivial issues. She's very young and seems to see being here as an opportunity to learn new things, specifically about the usage of blades against various foes.

She reminded me of myself at her age. I was staying more in Arabel rather than in my home village, helping my father with selling fruits of our fertile grounds. I took every possible chance to sneak away and wander across the city. I suppose it has taught me some important lessons. I remember clearly the first time I experienced the cruelty of life. One day I was assigned a task of transporting some materials to Doreta. She was a seamstress with a shop in northeastern part of the city. When passing by the east gate I came upon a group of thugs not much older than myself. They've beaten me up and took everything of value. I lied on the cobbled street, sobing helplessly for hours. I would have stayed there longer, but my father's associate found me and brought me back home. I was at a mess. In spite of the fact that the old man showed no anger, I felt I had had deeply dissapointed him. I decided never to let anything like that happen again and to make the fools regret they've fallen foul of one of the Bonalts. And I succedeed...

***

Ches 7th.

My love for exquisite clothing is definately in revival. I am happy with what I posses right now, but it would be most gratifiyng if I came across some new dye colors. I even met an elf named Lloth who also has some taste in that matter. It may seem to be completely irrelevant, but it's good to have little life's pleasures while spending time in this forsaken town.

I finally saved enough money to buy myself a full plate armor set. Of course, I immediately made it go well with the cloack I acquired the other day.

I'd like to make a life for myself here. But I'm not able to focus on one thing for too much time. Maybe that's my problem. I'm not very keen on getting myself commited into anything. To be blunt, I fear it. I fear that with commitment comes making new friends, but also new enemies. And the more enemies I have, the lower is my chance of surviving. I must balance my proceedings the same way I've done it so far.

***