[This letter is written in a elegant and flowing hand.]

Mister Jafar,

It has come to my attention that you know much about property and land ownership within this city. I have recently arrived and as such, I am not familiar with certain things.

In the southern portion of the city, west of the Spellguard Tower, there is a ruined staircase. I humbly request to know where it leads and if the city has any claim over what lays below.

If there are no objections I would seek to use that area of the city for a personal project that I am working on, that I hope shall bring much good to the city.

If for some reason that is not possible, would it be possible to make use of the ruins in the east?

It is my humble goal to establish a Shrine to Torm, and to create a place within the city for all those seeking shelter from the darkness and evil that dwells within the walls.

In respect, Justin Ellard, Servant of Torm

Justin Ellard, Servant of Torm,

Of the stairwell in question, I do not have records of it ever being functional. To be fair, many of our records were lost or destroyed in the Ubel Rebellion thirty years ago. I do have one account from roughly twenty years ago, written by a member of the Spellguard for deliberations by the Council which later were entered into the public record. It indicates that the stairwell is largely collapsed, with only the uppermost section remaining. According to the account, below it stretches a shaft downward so deep that he could not see the bottom. Lowering himself on an animatron constructed specifically for that purpose, he recorded "strange and horrific noises ... that chilled the blood and caused the very soul to cringe; ... unstable shafts and crevices, deposits of soot and ash and what could only be powdered bone ... smoke and wretched stenches of all varieties ... and a pervasive doom throughout." From these same deliberations, records indicate that several Seekers had disappeared while attempting to determine what lay at the bottom. The Council decided that attempts should not be made at reconstructing the stairwell, and that the city should focus its attentions elsewhere and (as Councilor Shurth remarked) "not awaken further dangers."

As for claim, usable territory within old Dunwarren is legally considered to be claimed by the Council until such time as they bestow it upon a specific individual or group. Of course, if you can eliminate the dangerous creatures that no doubt infest the area and establish a secure presence, you will be in a strong position for the Council to grant you ownership of the territory. Given the sinister tone of the above account, though, I would suggest pursuing a similar venture in the ruins to the east, which are considerably more habitable (though still overrun by vermin and other unpleasant creatures).

Regardless, once you have secured a presence, your next course of action should be to write a proposal to the Council asking them to consider granting you and your organization ownership of the territory in question. At this point, details such as the strength of the Watch presence required, the amount of gold required to purchase the territory and to be paid in land taxes, and other such particulars will be worked out.

- Herald Jafar Office of the Herald

[This letter is written in a elegant and flowing hand.]

Honorable Herald Jafar,

I would like to thank you for your swift response and the details which you have given.

It sounds as if there is some type of danger, though it is difficult to determine what, lay below the ruined staircase. If it is possible I would like to have the name of the member of the Spellguard who wrote that report for the council so that I may conduct my own inquiries into the matter.

If there is indeed a danger that lay below, I would be amiss if I did not do my utmost to put an end to it. Though my time in this city has not been long, it is apparent of the problems that it currently suffers. I would not see more added to it.

Thank you for your time, and may Torm show you favor.

In respect, Justin Ellard Servant of Torm

Justin Ellard, Servant of Torm,

Spellguard Assistant Animator Pergio the Lame, serving from Year 123 to Year 142, wrote the report quoted in the previous letter. Unfortunately, when I contacted the Spellguard to inquire whether he was still serving (and to get the figure cited above) I was informed by Spellguard Officer Barkely that Pergio had been killed while conducting material surveys on a site near the gate. He fell victim to a band of heavily armed orog slavers, who had been chasing after a failed Seeker slave liberation raid.

- Herald Jafar Office of the Herald