[This letter is sent to Port Claw by way of ship sailing from Fort Mur. Included with it is a key to the Sleeping Pyrimo Inn.]
Drow,
It is clear from the rumors that reach my ear that you are far behind current events. It would be ill advised to extract slaves from Sanctuary.
Should you try and remove a single slave from that settlement it will be your doom. The entire city has been claimed by Ysinode. Let me explain:
Ysinode had manipulated events within the settlement for some time, all the while covertly extracting thralls and brains of its citizens for food. How and why - this is irrelevant to the tale. Suffice it to say that shortly after the death of the Illithid Phandiates, a member of the Elder Conclave, the city fell into civil war.
This war still rages on. However, this obviously posed a problem for Ysinode as their food was now battling itself. They had to move to restore order, but that was impossible due to Etorix.
Thus they were forced to make a move and did so. Etorix was defeated in his own lair, his body broken, weakened, and taken back before the Elder Brain. It was there that his brain was pierced and his mind slowly unraveled. You knew him as a powerful foe before, but now he is augmented with powerful implants. Ysinode is beginning to call him their "super weapon."
Obviously, as you might expect Ysinode is not going to want you stealing their food. With Etorix now enthralled and at their command should you attack the city you will have to face him.
However, all hope for you is not lost. Chabzash still does not know of these events. Should they be informed they may be persuaded into a pre-emptive strike on Ysinode.
However, Chabzash and Ysinode have been at war with one another for years. It is unlikely now, especially since they have Etorix enthralled, that they will win. Here is where you come into play.
Etorix has long been a thorn in the side of Traensyr. While Ysinode and your city may be on somewhat good terms, it is foolish to think that they will not use Etorix against you, especially once Chabzash is defeated. There will be no reason that they will not hold him over your head to extract whatever they want.
What is more, should they actually succeed in taking Sanctuary, they will have many more thralls and plenty of food for the times ahead. Not to mention access to all of the Dunwarren technology left by the Deep Gnomes. I am sure you have encountered it before in the past.
With Etorix and the Dunwarren technology they will be an unstoppable force on the Dark Lake.
...but if Traensyr joins Chabzash in an assault on Ysinode, especially now that Etorix is still weakened from the battle to enslave him, then there is a strong chance that he can be defeated and the threat posed by Ysinode ended before it begins.
As for Sanctuary, without its defender in Etorix it will be nothing. They will continue to do battle amongst themselves, and it is not as if they are going anywhere anytime soon.
If you want these claims validated then you must simply speak to Intryzz, the owner of the Sleeping Pyrimo Inn. It is simply a short walk from where you are currently. I am even going to be so kind as to include a key with this letter. Speak to the Duegar farmer if you need precise directions, but it is easily found once you cross the bridge.
If you need additional proof you may find it in Etorix's lair. Though I would not suggest going there to look for riches - I already did. Ysinode plundered everything, including Etorix's library.
Think carefully before you proceed.
Signed, Byron Moores