Esteemed Councilors and Sheriff of Sanctuary,

This letter is to inform you that, the previous evening, the following individuals from Sanctuary-Sergeant Kharl Khemed, Private Jaden Sarkish, Private Alyssara Nil'vara, Private Alabaster Rubyglow, Gegan Bruntlet, Harlow Penrose, Kald Blake, Leonard Merrickson, Seeker Harold Hatnine, and Ordinant Eva Kelm-entered the crypt of Zovaldar the Malevolent in order to end the threat the mummified giant and his formian army posed to the city of Sanctuary. This number engaged him in a brutal, savage battle involving melee and magical combat; during the course of the battle, Sergeant Khemed's body was utterly destroyed by the fell magics Zovaldar summoned. After a raging, strenuous melee, Zovaldar was eventually felled, and his tomb destroyed. In so doing, those who defeated him severed Zovaldar's connection to this Realm, and saw his twisted form cast into the Abyss. With Zovaldar's destruction, the twisted plot to destroy this city shattered, and the formians enthralled under his command were freed, ending the threat posed to Sanctuary by the dark giant warlord.

In accord with their exceptional bravery and sacrifice and their stalwart, unyielding actions in defense and salvation of Sanctuary from this threat, I would propose that these individuals be given the title of "Heroes of Sanctuary," with the appropriate reward therein, as well as suggest that a statue of Sergeant Kharl Khemed be erected to honor the sacrifice he made to save the entirety of Sanctuary. In addition, I would also request that a statue of Saint Andrew of Torm-whose sacrifice shattered the artifacts of Zovaldar and caused him to flee from our gates, ending the onslaught against our defenders-be erected at those same gates, in place of the draconic statue that was destroyed during the course of battle.

These individuals sacrificed much, and gave freely of themselves, to defend this city and save her citizens; it is only proper that they be given the appropriate honors.

-Lieutenant Sunellar

Lieutenant Sunellar,

Pending the Sheriff's approval the Council will begin deliberations. I have no objection, and feel that it is appropriate.

However, more toward an immediate concern. Do you know if there is any truth to the rumors that Halaster Blackcloak is offering a path to the surface through Undermountain? Is this a lie simply to lure people to the abandoned crypt of Zovaldar? I do not wish citizens slain by being lured into a trap.

Councilor Hoaradin Delorin

Councilor Delorin,

Halaster Blackcloak's offer is genuine, but twisted and corrupt, as every offer extended to the adventurers he entices to play his demented games in Undermountain is. He will offer any from Sanctuary who wish it a chance to try for the surface; that chance will be based upon the risk of near-certain death and imprisonment of the soul for any who fail, however. The vast majority of our citizens have neither the capacity nor the endurance to even reach the crypt of Zovaldar the Malevolent, much less to participate in Halaster's games; this offer is solely for adventurers who are so despondent of life in this Underdark that they would risk their very lives and souls to be free of it.

I would appreciate it if the Council would hurry its decision to award the appropriate titles and honors to those who saved Sanctuary from the threat of Zovaldar the Malevolent; it would be far more appropriate to reward them in the wake of victory, rather than weeks or months later. I doubt you will receive any opposition from the Sheriff.

-Lieutenant Sunellar

Lieutenant Sunellar,

I put the motion to the other members of the Council. There will be no gold reward. Instead, I have put forward a motion to have Shield's of Sanctuary given to some of those you listed. These are enchanted rings commissioned by the late Yorrik for just such an occasion.

The delay in getting back to you was due to your actions before and after the invasion. We are sorely disappointed that we wasted much of our time debating measures that had little to no relevance, and that you decided to keep important information to yourself. Additionally, we are disappointed that you saw fit to overstep your bounds by offering monetary rewards in our name. That is not your place.

However, it is not our desire to punish those who are heroes of Sanctuary. Thus the motion is moving forward as it should. We are currently dealing with several other very important measures that are overshadowing everything else, so it may be a day or two before we can move toward it in earnest.

I thank you for the information on Halaster Blackcloak. It saddens me to know that some of our citizens may be desperate enough to take up his mad and depraved offer. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to prevent it.

Councilor Hoaradin Delorin

Councilor Delorin,

You are correct. I am equally as disappointed as you that I failed to provide timely, accurate, and up-to-the-minute information concerning every single aspect of the invasion and Zovaldar the Malevolent's actions, so that you could keep our citizens better informed with your courageous and uplifting sendings during the heart of the battle. Likewise, I no doubt should have realized that sending the citizens who defended our gates to the Town Hall after Councilor Crowshire for some type of recognition and award was a poor decision, as it would clearly take days for the Council to discuss the matter via parchment.

Do add my name to the list of those you are considering giving these marvelous rings to, while you are deliberating. I look forward to the recognition the Council decides our citizens and defenders are due; since you have elected to provide such, I will be discontinuing this line of correspondence.

Until the awards, Councilor.

-Lieutenant Sunellar