The enclosed letter is with a steaming bowl of rothe and lichen stew and a bottle of moderately priced wine, wrapped in a protective layer of rotheskin.

Sergeant,

My preliminary report on my concerns of Chosen activity that I have learned in my time here is enclosed. A more detailed report will be provided when I am accepted into the Watch.

Over a century and a half ago, when Sanctuary was still populated with deep gnomes, a great schism emerged in their society. On one side were the respectable, rational gnomes who favored the good and just gnomish gods, and on the other were the cruel, demented followers of Urdlen, the gnomish deity of slaughter and murder. This schism was primarily over the role of the Machine in gnomish society, and what should be done with it. Though we know not what the Machine was built for, I believe that the more decent, gentle gnomes were in favor of its use and wished to maintain it as a central part of their daily lives. Conversely, the cult of Urdlen argued that the Machine must be destroyed.

War erupted. Who struck first is likely lost to the sands of time, but I am certain who triumphed. The rational gnomes were defeated, and the cult of the White Mole, in an act of unadulterated malevolence, animated them to fight on eternally. I believe that the Chosen are either the modern descendants of the Urdlenites, or the original cultists themselves, their lives extended greatly by the curse of lycanthropy. To this day, they still seek to destroy the Machine. Evidence of this is quite clear: I have seen, on several occasions, Chosen and their cursed undead engaging in skirmishes with the Machine's defenses.

Though I am uncertain of why they seek to destroy it, I know that their minds seem to be devoted to it with incredible zeal. It is my greatest fear that, should they succeed, the vast army of Chosen will turn their attention fully to us, and we will be overrun. What is worse, I have little doubt that they will animate all who fall as they prepare for even greater conquests in the name of the Urdlen.

Without knowledge of the Watch's plans regarding the Chosen, I am hard pressed to make my recommendations known for potential solutions to this threat.

I can present a few to you, but I would rather do it in person.

Sincerely,

Anton Marcato Veilguard of Kelemvor