A Letter to Candlekeep

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Keeper of the Tomes;

My name is Jarvis Pi Bloggins III, esquire, and I write to you in requesting membership into your illustrious organization. In the past, I have visited your keep in order to access its wonderful repository of knowledge and confer with your scholars and found them to be most bountiful resources. I wish to be able to benefit from them continuously and also add to them as I may.

As for my own credentials, I am a wizard specializing in illusory magicks. I am well versed in the study of arcana and have recently begun studying the planes as well. My former mentor considered me a prodigy in the science of alchemy, and my skill in manufacturing contraptions more than lives up to my gnomish heritage. I am also skilled in written language and the arts of discussion and argument, all of which I have employed as a notary, and a barrister & solicitor. As you can see, I consider myself a well-rounded individual, and I offer the above in service of Candlekeep.

Recently, I have arrived in the land of Sundren, near Icewind Dale. I have found this relatively new-found land to be most interesting, and fully deserving of study. I hope that the prospect of continued correspondence on this land will help sway you in considering my entry into your numbers.

I have no permanent residence here at this time, so please direct any correspondence via the Exigo Trade Post.

Best Regards,
Jarvis P. Bloggins III, Esq.
(signed & sealed)

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The Lands and Peoples of Sundren

First Reader;

I write to you with what I hope to be the first of many letters detailing this new land. Being of the introductory sort, this letter shall outline the general landscape of and peoples inhabiting Sundren.

The land of Sundren is a peninsula on the Trackless Sea, North-West of Luskan and South-West of Icewind Dale. It is bordered to the North, West, and South by the sea itself, and the East by the Spine fo the World.

The city of Sundren itself occupies a location relatively central to the peninsula. The city is comprised of three wards; each ward is conveniently devoted to one aspect of life here: one for commerce, one for entertainment and other diversions, and one occupied by the more militaristic groups here. The Trade Tier, as it is called, boasts nearly all of the commerce in the city, though it should be noted that it is in competition with a nearby trading post South-West of the city operated and guarded by a group called the Exigo. This trade camp is also where most of the peoples inclined to adventure seem to congregate. The Entertainment District boasts a number of ale-houses, some of which are quite seedy, among other things. Also located there is the local library and archival storehouse; I must say that given its relative age, a respectable amount of tomes can be found therein. The Military Ward is quite self-explanatory. It is home to many barracks, including that of the local watch, the Sundarian Legion, and temple barracks of Helm and the Triumvirate. The local building of governance, the Citadel, is also located here.

I have travelled to three other towns on this peninsula: Port Anvanthyr, which, I have been told is the only viable port in this land, Sestra, a quiet hamlet, home to a few temples; and Aquor, which is dominated by an enclave of the Red Wizards and bestrides Lake Az'Gema. There is also a military outpost near the Western extreme of the peninsula, called Mirakus Post, manned by the Red Blades, another local militaristic faction.

The the East is the Gate of the Sunderer, the only land route by which the Spine of the World may be crossed and this peninsula may be accessed from the continent. Many caravans pass through the gate each day. To the west and North-East are two large woods, the Viridale and the Mossdale. I have travelled to the Viridale myself while searching for specimens of local flora worthy of study. This wood is home to many gnolls, goblins, orcs and ogres, and, I have heard, wraiths as well. I have yet to penetrate the Mossdale Forest myself and so cannot comment as to what lies therein. Just outside the Mossdale Forest is the Necropolis, a city of tombs that I have been warned against visiting. Most of the Southern portion of the peninsula is comprised of small, rolling hills called the Sharahan, which are home to many tribes of goblin.

Sundren is mostly inhabited by humans. There are examples here of the other goodly races as well, including dwarves, elves, hin, and a few gnomes other than myself. I have also spotted the occasional orcish cross-breed. I have heard talk of the vile drow and even vampires in this land, though I've yet to see one with my own eyes.

Among the peoples of Sundren, all deities are worshipped, and their followers tolerated. I have even encountered some humans who speak openly of worshipping the dreaded Bane. Apparently a local law has been enacted whereby those Banites who identify themselves are to be tolerated so long as they obey all other laws.

I do hope this letter serves to give you and any other readers a basic understanding of the geography and peoples of Sundren. In my next correspondence, I hope to outline the factions and other groupings along which the people here insist on dividing themselves.

Respectfully,
Jarvis P. Bloggins III
(signed & sealed)

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The Factions of Sundren

Greetings First Reader;

As I've written in my last correspondence, I've gathered some information on the factions present in Sundren and I relay this to you now.

There are a number of militant groups in the area. Chiefly among them is the Sundarian Legion. They appear to act as the government's primary militant force and state police. From what I've seen, they appear quite professional. In the smaller town of Sestra, they are bolstered by a local militia, the Corps de Grace. The Red Blades are also counted amongst them. I've seen very little of them outside the post and know even less of them, save that there appears to be little or no seperation betweem them and the church of their patron, the Red Knight.

I have encountered members of an arcane organization here, known as the Hands of Mundus. This group, from what I have been told, originated with the two assistants of Mundus, the founder of this land. The group is a fractious one, forever parted in two. This schism dates back to the group's foundation; apparently the founders had a disagreement with how things should be run, and their followers have perpetuated it to this day. The Hand of Mundus also enjoy official status here, supplementing the Legion as only arcanists can.

The Arbiter's Alliance is another militant force I've come across, though I doubt they have any legitimate jurisdiction within the land. They appear to be comprised of the Triumvirate, men and women who serve the Triad, and the Church of Helm, who are here in great numbers. The members of the Alliance who I have met have been most welcoming and helpful in my travels through the land.

To the North in Aquor is the enclave of Red Wizards of Thay. I can't help but be distrustful of them, yet those who I have met have been quite courteous and, to date, entirely unworthy of the distrust which I have thrust upon them. I have entered the enclave myself on numerous occasions, where they make some of their magical goods available to the public at a respectable price. Aquor itself is under the protection of the Red Wizards and their knights, as well as the paid service of a company of mercenaries called the Blackwood. I've only begun to see them about recently, in Aquor and also supplementing the guards of the Exigo Syndicate at their trading post.

Sundren has no lack of criminal element. The criminal activities, to my knowledge, are under the direction of a Cartel; all thuggery and theft, I'm told, leads back to this Cartel. I have seen one of their bases of operations myself, where numerous brutes and skulkers lurk, assisted by arcanists. Their forces are quite significant, indeed.

The presence of Bane's followers here, as I wrote before, is openly tolerated. A law protects his worshippers, and many would appear to be members of a group calling themselves the Black Hand. I've met a few of their number, and am sickened that they go about their foul business under the guise of law and order. I have no doubt that their motives in coming to this land is foul, and with any luck the Triumvirate will counter it, whatever it may be that they are surely plotting.

Lastly is the Exigo Syndicate. They are comprised of traders and merchants, and employ many guards exclusively. They appear to have been given primary legal jurisdiction over the land they operate on, and guard it quite jealously.

These are the factions I have so far encountered. Unfortunately my time to pen this letter has come to an end, as I had better return to brewing potions if I wish to earn enough coin to keep my studies funded. I am sure there are more factions at work here in Sundren, and I will write to you as I discover them. If there should be a group that you feel warrants further study, please indicate them to me and I will endeavour to learn what I can of them.

Your agent in the pursuit of knowledge,
Jarvis P. Bloggins III
(signed & sealed)

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The Exigo

First Reader;

I write to you about a recent encounter I had with a member of the Exigo Syndicate.

Since my arrival in Sundren, I have conducted a number of alchemical experiments and constructed contraptions based upon schematics I have acquired. I have undergone these labours for reasons two-fold: to expand upon my knowledge and to produce marketable products to fund further experimentation.

I was recently lamenting the sparse and inneffectual schematics I have found here when a member of the Exigo made me aware that they are in possession of quite a number of them. Unfortunately, they make these only available to members of their syndicate. It was then that it was suggested that I join their organization should I wish to access these resources and others.

It would appear that the Exigo Syndicate are recruiting any with an entrepreneurial inclination, or the skills required to produce valuable goods. From what I have learned of them, their only agenda is legal trade.

Joining this organization would allow me access to these resources and others, enabling me to refine my tinkering and alchemical aptitudes while becoming more capable of engaging in costly experimentation. Further to this, I could act as a liaison between both organizations, which could prove a valuable asset indeed should Candlekeep eventually decide to pursue a larger presence in this land.

Thusly do I request your leave to become a member of the aforementioned organization. I do not foresee any conflict of interest at this time, but should one arise, I need not be reminded that the pursuit of knowledge is my primary objective, and thus I would resign from any position attained within the Exigo. I await and shall abide by your decision.

Your agent in the pursuit of knowledge,
Jarvis P. Bloggins III
(signed & sealed)