So little hope down here. I can't describe the sense of sadness I have when I speak to them. In Sanctuary Below, outside the gates of the Shrine that seeks to deify a mere mortal, none seem to hold to hope any longer.

They are all tied by chains, call these chains fear or duty, still they are bound and willingly so. The worst chains my father always said were those that came with blinders.

Strangely, it was above where I expected none to still carry hope that it was found. Not with those who picked up Charles' self-imposed burden of course, but so many others still carried some hope.

This is pleasing, I do not willingly wish the burden I've taken, but there is little choice.

I pity those who take Charles' stance to heart. Sanctuary is not what I expected from the descriptions I was given. I am not sure I can bear this burden, some here have such hope and there is so much pain in what we must do.

I can not fathom that they have waited this long. None who wait harbor any anger at Frederick. Only a few doubt Frederick would return when I ask. He'd be, I believe, 179 this year. We're not sure when he was born of course, but he'd be at least that. He's been in the ground over a century, rest his soul, but most expect that he'll return and many will follow.

All that I doubt now is that all would. So many wish to remain, to rescue lost friends or kin in Traensyr. Why? It should be so simple to convince them, they can set up somewhere between the surface and Traensyr. Perhaps that will move the stubborn.

Again though, Sanctuary is larger than I expected. I'd assume over a thousand souls. Perhaps a fourth of those I talk to hold some hope. The question is, can I really do this? I know I swore an oath, and so much is at stake. I'm not certain I am brave or strong enough for what I have prepared myself to do.