Esteemed Council men and women,

House Toboerski is currently securing access to two possible mines that will allow Sanctuary to free itself from the villainous clutches of the Duergar. Once we have secured those mines we shall then use the ore mined from there, along with smiths and engineers within our own city, to rebuild the gates.

Sadly, the Watch, through one of their members by the name of Private Ian Lockwood, seeks to undermine our efforts. Private Lockwood has decided to strike a bargain with the Duergar - a questionable bargain that is murky at best - to have them rebuild our gates.

I ask you, Council: What is the difference between a Drow and a Duergar? They are both evil monsters that are enemies to our city. Do you think it is wise, especially at this time - during an election - to have the safety of our city placed in the hands of our enemies? How can you trust a Duergar? How can you be certain that they will not somehow make the gates vulnerable in some way, allowing Sanctuary to have a false sense of security? They would relish nothing more than for us to fall back into the hands of our slave masters. You know this!

This is why House Toboerski has taken so long to rebuild the gates. We wish to ensure that the gate is not only rebuilt, but is stronger than it was before and more secure. We wish for the citizens of Sanctuary to sleep well at night knowing - full well - that if there is an attack against the city the gates will hold. Are you willing to put that type of trust into the hands of Duergar?

Furthermore, is the Council prepared to allow Ian Lockwood, a man who has been publicly flogged for his torture of prisoners, be the face of the project? Is this the face the Council wishes to show during this election? That they openly support a citizen who is no better than the creatures in which he associates? The Duergar torture as do the Drow. At least we can take comfort that Private Lockwood and the Duergar have something in common.

Also let it be known that Lockwood abuses his position as a member of the Watch to openly engage in the blackmail of Lord Gregor and Sir Dungal Toboerski. I can attest to every claim that he has made against them as being false. I was with Sir Dungal on the day in question, and not once did I leave his side. Yet Lockwood continues to spread the lies, rumors and accusations - all of which are unbecoming of what should be a professional member of the Watch.

If the actions of this rogue watchman is not enough, I bring to your attention that the efforts to contract the Duergar will not come cheap. They will seek to bleed our city dry of coin, coin which is desperately needed in rebuilding Lower Sanctuary. Does the Council wish to show such a lack of ability to manage the funds of the city during an election year?

I, Sir Melrick, Honorable Knight of House Toboerski, humbly request that all good and decent Council men and women, send letters to Sheriff Eugene Walters demanding that Ian Lockwood be reprimanded for his past and current actions. I fear that if the Council does nothing, there may be a price to pay in the upcoming elections as well as a much larger price to pay in the future, should our gates be rebuilt by our enemies.

In loyal service to the city, Sir Melrick, Knight of House Toboerski

Sanctuary has traded with the Grunstubbhle duergar for more than a century. They have supplied us with arms and armor, weaponry and masonry. They have never proven themselves enemies to our city, and while the Council places no great faith in them as allies, it must be said that they are certainly competent stonemasons. In all honesty, I would prefer a gate made by Sanctuary's citizens; yet, more importantly, I would prefer a gate at all.

House Toboerski has had tenday after tenday to involve itself in installing a new gate, and yet a gaping hole still remains open above us in our city's defenses. I am not opposed to your family's involvement, but the Watch oversees the city's main defenses and it is unacceptable to force them to continue to delay their efforts to keep us safe so that your family can score some minor political victory in an election season.

I see no reason why both the Watch and House Toboerski should not be allowed to pursue rebuilding the gate, if they so wish. Our city was left vulnerable precisely because we did not have a spare gate in storage; whomever finishes their efforts second can supply this spare. I am disheartened to know that this recent fervor for rebuilding the gate has led to further conflicts between the Watch and the Toboerski family, where by rights it should be bringing you two closer together.

I will be responding to a similar letter that I received from the Watch to express my disappointment at this. I would advise that you both work toward the construction of this gate, rather than working against each other and -- in the end -- only hurting our city.

Regarding quality, as the Council discussed long ago, any gate would need to be evaluated by the Watch and Spellguard to ensure that it is of good quality and durability before the final stage of construction begins and it is installed.

As for the accusations against Private Lockwood and Dungal Toboerski, members of the Council continue to search for truth. We have heard many stories about both, from colleagues and refugees and guards alike, and about the actions which took place in the early days of the revolt. It would be acting in bad faith to rush to any hasty conclusions.

- Councilor Adelia Tyrell

[Melrick receives the letter. He takes it to his room and after he reads it prepares to rip it up, then stops, takes a deep breath, and places it in a rather large pile of papers. He then mutters a curse and storms out.]