Honorable Councilor Ward,

I thank you for the response to my letter. I will send this response to the other Council Members in case there are similar questions or concerns among others. Please allow me to clarify a few of my points.

It is pure conjecture, but I believe that the primary reason you do not receive many complaints is that they are stopped from reaching you. Very few men or women have the courage to bring these matters before the Council when it has become apparent they have been summarily dismissed by the Officers of the Spellguard.

The monopoly that I speak of does indeed define itself. It is a form of coercive monopoly based on laws explicitly preventing competition, effectively a de jure monopoly. If there are means for citizens to use magic without endangering the security of Sanctuary, and they are not allowed due to legal restrictions fought hard for by the Tower, then this position is supported.

Your point that the Spellguard would never beat someone is incorrect, but I believe through no fault of your own. You have been deceived. I have spoken to many citizens who have had similar complaints. Beating is a routine operational procedure by operatives. I have witnessed the casting of debilitating magics by Spellguard members outside of the confines of the symbols for infractions such as public nuisance and for carrying a weapon, both of which do not constitute extreme circumstances. You are correct in that if they truly wanted to harm someone, they have much deadlier spells to use, but unfortunately, those are not reserved only for our enemies. They are used against citizens, and I can address that point from experience.

I was not alluding that the Spellguard receives too much money, only that the money could be better spent on protecting our borders, not maintaining an extensive domestic surveillance system within Sanctuary. Operatives may be free, but jails and guards are not. If five operatives are patrolling the streets around the Rock Bottom Tavern, there are tunnel systems from which the Drow can infiltrate that are not being watched… They do maintain our greatest fire control and security force- the animatrons and more funds could definitely be used in that area. If the Seekers are viewed as the only effective counter-measuer, then perhaps some of those funds should be shifted to them... My opinion is both organizations working together would be much more effective.

The concept of formal registration and other revenue inducing procedures would reduce the bureaucracy somewhat, and does not contradict my argument. A couple of clerks or initiates would be sufficient to maintain the rolls and collection of fees. How large of a network and resources is required for internal patrols, enforcement, and imprisonment?

I hope that I can sway your opinion, at least in the direction of compromise. If not, I respect the decisions of the Counsel, and as always would lay my life on the line for our beloved Sanctuary.

Your humble servant,

Stygian Achnuman