Correspondence of the Black Company

[Vejuz]

Aresid poured over the letter he was writing, a normal-looking man standing by his shoulder in the small inn room, leaded up against his chair having a smoke.

"Captain,

The Black Hand of Sundren is a rabble. From what I have seen here, Sundren is the dumping ground for the Keep to send those who had too much talent not to assign, yet too little sense to keep near them. There is rumor of a man whom I know to be a follower of Bane, apprehended by the local authorities and is now on the run. Yet there are a few here with sense. I have met several clerics of Bane who have brought the goblins to heel. Yet this is not an army which can conquer Sundren. I have resolved to leave them to their work. The army of Sundren is strong. I am so convinced then, that the only way we will gain any power here is to take positions of power in the government. In doing so, we may avoid the rabble who would resent open rule by Bane and the army. I will scout opportunities as I await your orders.

I am witnessing a trail of a man accused of murder. It is a very emotional case for all involved. I will watch and see how the judge rules.

The people of Sundren are more paranoid, or perhaps curious, than I had hoped. I may need to "reveal" myself as a follower of Helm. I had hoped to avoid this, lest I draw the ire of Helm and Bane both.

Glory to the Black Company
A. B. "

Aresid rolls up the message and hands it to the man saying, "It was good to see you again Mikel. Gods speed." Mikel grunted at Aresid, and strode out of the room.

[Vejuz]

"Captain,

Speak to Rillian Turnwatch in Joseph's Turn, he owes me a favor and should give you a good price. Attached to this message is a packet with "redcap" mushrooms along with a list of their known properties. Please forward it on to Mr. Potions.

A more weeks amoung them have convinced me that the people of Sundren are a paranoid lot. In some ways, this will make my work harder, yet paranoia is an easy tool to use. I have "revealed" myself as a follower of the Red Knight. I was quite careful not to speak Her name and each day I capture a goblin, or gnoll if I am able, and sacrifice it to Bane in penance. Their bodies litter the country side and I am certain another knifed one will go unnoticed. I decided that the Red Knight better befit the persona I have taken here, and will arise fewer questions than a follower of Helm.

I have made contact with a new group of Banites, apart from the disgraceful branch of the Hand I found here. They are, as I have witnessed, quite powerful and more subtle. I witnessed one, alone, slay 5 people as if it were nothing. The induction was as one would expect for any cult: killing an innocent and turning the inductees against one another. (This second part strikes me as entirely detrimental. A group working together should work to strengthen their bonds, not weaken them.) I passed the first and defeated the second. There are three of us, it seems: The warrior, the necromancer, and I, the diplomat. I think you'll enjoy the irony of my own title, but you taught me well.

From what I witnessed there, I am reminded of your own words. "A smoking crater is not useful to Bane." These people need to be reminded of this, I think. Yet I dare not speak it openly, because I have no doubt my life will end with that. So too, must I remind them: "Undead serve, but they do not breed." How, is the question.

I have stumbled across some knowledge of a mysterious force above and beyond the Sundren government which protects it. I witnessed a force of "Protectors" which spoke of it. I am reminded of the rumored Masked Lords of Waterdeep in it's function: either a rumor to scare outsiders, or an organization which works without the city's own laws to protect it. I will gather more information as I can.

Acquiring political power may prove to be challenge as I have seen. Many of the officials of the city seem to clergy; a part of my character I will need to downplay in order to succeed here. However, there is a class of people who I could champion: the Merchants. None with speak it openly, but I sense there is tension between them and the City. These people have both money and a lack of caring over noble blood. They are then, perfect. However, I may be getting ahead of myself. I need to find an entry level position to get myself started and make my name known.

I will continue to gather information and report.

Glory to the Black Company
A. B."

[Vejuz]

"Captain,

It is my regret that I was not able to see if justice is alive in Sundren. The man accused plead guilty and dropped several other names. How common, for a man in his final hour to break and reveal all his allies. Misery loves company.

In return, he was given a life sentence in jail. However, what I have seen today is all the proof I need to see that justice has no place in Sundren. The man I saw as broken and battered, diseased and malnourished. It is clear to me they are not shaping him, as a truly just system would, into a man in form and function that is more pleasing and useful to the society he has wronged. They are fueled by revenge, petty and meaningless. These harbingers of light, these defenders of goodness, these shining knights. They are more depraved and vengeful than the people they so hate. They do not realize they are creating, if he can recover, a man much stronger than more violent than the one they put in the cell.

I think I shall see if I cannot show them the error of this.

Glory to the Black Company
A. B. "