A large book lies within Zephyrine's pack, the book itself is made of cow-hide found on the surface, it is neither locked or bounded by anything.

On the front cover of the leather book is the symbol of two white hands bounded at the wrist with a red cord and the words "Zephyrine Evrard" is written above the symbol.

The book holds about 30 pages and it is split into three chapters, each holding about 10 to 17 pages and every page is written with a feminine and elegant handwriting, the first chapter is filled with details on the teachings of the Lord Ilmater, on the Ilmatari saints, on prayers, on the Paladin code and personal oaths she has taken. The second chapter are filled with texts on battle tactics, on tracking, on sneaking and on the art of using a two-bladed sword. Finally the third chapter is filled with stories, past memories, past missions, her life with her family and so on.

Written below is an excerpt from page 1.

Chapter one: The Teachings of the Lord Ilmater Convert. Follower. Servant. T'is the path I hath chosen.

Much I hath learned in the past years training in the Ilmatari temple of St. Rhynda, but the most important and my favorite are simply these words, so sayeth by the wise Reverent Father Isaiah.

"These are the sacred teachings of the Lord Ilmater, heed it and do his will. Thou shalt help all who art hurt, no matter whosoever they are. The truly holy take on the suffering of others. If thou suffers in his Holy name, the Lord Ilmater shalt be there to support thee. Thou shalt stick to thy cause if it is right, whatever the pain or peril.

There is no shame in a meaningful death. Thou shalt stand up to all tyrants, and allow no injustice to go unchallenged. Thou shalt emphasize the spiritual nature of life over the existence of the material body."

Written below is an excerpt from page 17.

Chapter one: The Paladin code After five long years training in the Ilmatari temple of St. Rhynda and committing many quests in his Holy name, the Lord Ilmater hath decided to place me on a greater path by serving him as a Holy Warrior.

As I recalled, on one beautiful Greengrass day in the year 1372 on the month of Kythorn the Lord Ilmater showed me a vision of great importance. A great celestial servant of the Lord appeared in the vision and spoketh to me, I can still remember these words he said.

"You have done well, follower and servant of Ilmater, this is the wish of your Lord that you shall go forth as his Holy Champion and commit his Divine will in Faerun."

I was stunned and shocked by this vision, I was afraid of failing this new duty yet happy at the same moment. Thankfully my brother calmed me down and assured me that I wilt do a good job, I do hope he is verily correct!

With higher duties, come higher responsibilities though, a few days later the Celestial Servant came again in my dreams and spoketh to me of the code I shalt follow as a Paladin of the Lord Ilmater.

The Code*

• Thou shalt serve thy Lord and his teachings, with utmost loyalty.

• Thou shalt strive to be always honorable and exhibit courage in both words and deeds.

• Thou shalt respect both freedom and life, protect the weak and the innocent and thou shalt not murder nor enslave.

• Thou shalt be fair, kind and compassionate as a defender of thy faith and the innocent.

• Thou shalt fight evil in all of its monstrous forms, but refrain from using poison, torture, cheating and lying against thy enemies, nor work with them.

• Thou shalt always keep thy word and never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.

• Thou shalt obey the laws and respect the authority of just governments.

*This code I written up for my character is based on the Paladin code from the Defenders of the Faith D&D sourcebook and changed a little to fit a Ilmatari.

Written below is an excerpt from page 29; unlike other pages before, this was written inelegantly and swiftly.

Chapter three: Personal Journal 25th Alturiak, 1374.

By Ilmater! The mission for the temple was a complete failure, it was only meant to be a simple journey to the Morninggold Keep to assist the Lathanderites, but it happened so quickly as we were about to leave that village in the Golden Marches, suddenly a dozen or so dark elves appeared out of no where and struck at the village, they fired out flaming bolts burning down the homes and their steel swiftly striking down those who resisted, it was hopeless we did not stand any chance, the merciless drow killed many, even the poor children, the rest of us were captured in to be slaves.

The next day they dragged us into this dark cavern and after a horrible week of walking we arrived to this city they call "Traensyr", some were sent to the arena to fight in the pits, but the rest of us were forced to work in the nearby mines, after a week of harsh work and torture, one by one some began to die of hunger, some even killed for resisting.

I thought it was going to be our fate to end just like that, but the next day the drow slavers began speaking of how they might sell us to some Illithid city. Victor spoke of them being far worse then even the vile Drow that tortured us. I pray to the Lord Ilmater that this isn't true and to give us the strength to endure through this horrifying place.

"Holy Ilmater, you filled St. Sollar with the fire of your Divine Glory and gave him the strength to endure through his darkest days. Let the example of his heroic deed keep us firmly grounded in your love and to help us endure through these dark days. Thy will be done"

Z. E.

Written below is an excerpt from page 30.

Chapter three: Personal Journal 7th Ches, 1374.

Curse this all. Stuck in the dark and accursed Underdark, with hardly any hope of seeing the beloved surface again. Yes, I may be safe now in this so called "Sanctuary", yet I could never forget what has happened in the past horrifying weeks.

I have nothing now, but the Lord Ilmater by my side and I just know know it in my heart that there is a purpose for me here. To fight these cursed aberrations and prevent them from causing suffering on others and to save my brother.

I can still clearly remember it.

Just a few days ago, back in the vile Illithid city of Ysinode, we found the best moment to make an escape when the Illithid city was attacked by a large group of thralls from some unknown source, perhaps beholders. Victor and I tried to escape, running as swiftly as we humanly can, we managed to escape from the gate, but Victor tripped at a ridge and a large Umber Hulk and his Illithid master managed to reach Victor. I could still remember his words and the Illithid's telephatic words.

As the two aberrant creatures reached Victor at the ridge and began dragging him back, tears began falling down his face and he cried out to me.

"Zeph, run! Go!"

"I cannot leave you, Victor. I will not leave you!"

"If you will not leave, you will die. Zeph, just go, for my sake and Ilmater's!"

I reluctantly did as he said, tears on my eyes, I ran, never looking back, I ran into the darkness and kept going, but I could recall the Illithid's words as it spoke to me telephatically as I ran.

"Foolish human, running will not stop the inevitable."

"I will find you, Brother. T'is my promise."

It seemed that the aberrations did not follow, but I kept on going for hours until I found my way into this tunnel which caved-in soon after, the tunnel led me into this strange town known as "Sanctuary"

Much has happened, but I refuse to give up and by Ilmater I will not rest until I find him, either dead or alive.

"Holy Ilmater, please bestow upon me the strength to endure through my quest and through this dark place, let your eternal love and Divine glory guide me in my path and remove the doubt and suffering that clouds my mind. Thy will be done."

Z. E.