1 Elient 1371

Dear Master Zorthaster,
Since I last wrote, we have discovered a newly uncovered ruin in the desert. It appears to be an ancient city from the Netherese empire. We are trying to explore its secrets without losing our lives in the process.

The sandstorm I wrote about lasted four days. I had time to work on getting keen edge mastered and written into my spell book. Primula also cast a greater glyph of warding (5d8 and hold person) on the tome to protect it from trouble makers. After the sandstorm ended we continued onward to the northwest through the blazing desert. In the dark of the desert night, far ahead of us we saw strange flashes of light. I suspected that it was the effects of spell casting as it appeared as lightning only from a clear sky and low on the horizon.

Once we got the wagons out of the Scented Hills we found ourselves in rolling dune fields. Guards discovered a pair of Bedine scouts watching us. They are now captives in manacles. Vestelle tells us that they will be sold as slaves in Llorkh. It pains me to see them ill treated. They each have a large lion paw tattoo on their chests. I believe they are followers of the Night Lion.

Later in the day, as we traveled through the sand, a huge lion burst from his hiding place under a dune. He overturned a wagon and sent Kerith and his horse sprawling. The lion put his nose right into Kerith's face and growled. Kerith, ever the master of communication growled in reply. The two were locked in conversation for a brief instant until the great beast sprang away and disappeared over the crest of a large dune in two bounding leaps.

Later Kerith told us that the lion told him "It is time for you to meet your destiny two legs, for it is fast approaching."
Vestelle kept her troops under control during the encounter, one fellow with poor judgement moved to shoot a crossbow at the lion during the confrontation. Vestelle calmly placed a dagger to his throat and prevented an incident. He was later given a lashing and made to ride in the point scout position.

We helped right the wagon so we could continue. Crates had broken open in the ruckus Our cargo includes packets of the slaver's herb, the one that heightens pain sensitivity and promotes docility. We estimated that we are also carrying several thousand sets of shackles and perhaps 1500 swords. It makes my blood boil. I had to control myself quickly as Vestelle chose that moment to come by and thank us all for keeping our cool under fire both here and throughout the trip.

Late in the afternoon we topped a huge dune to discover a recently exposed ruin. It looks like a city of ancient Netheril. In putting some thoughts together, we are speculating that the sandstorm uncovered this buried city. The force and duration of the storm, its effect of completely clearing the city of every grain of sand, lead us to conclude that it was driven by the Art. Based on what I know about cities of the age of Netheril, this place was far too large to have been a conclave. There may have been a quarter of a million people that lived here. We did not see any people, but we heard an occasional noise like that caused by a smoke powder weapon. Vestelle gave us leave to explore the city and report back to the caravan in a few days. They would backtrack out of sight, circle the city, giving it a wide berth, and wait for 3 or four days.

Evendur loaned me a magical scrying tube that brings far things closer. It was a handsome item and very useful. We scried on the city from a distance with it until we were certain the place was uninhabited. We did get a look at what we suspect is an adventuring party. There were several tough looking figures, moving cautiously between the buildings. We also spotted several important-looking buildings. Chief among these was a temple to Mystryl. We determined to make that our destination.

After entering the city, Xan moved ahead to scout. He encountered one illithid who died in a flurry of arrows. Primula got struck by a stone from a smoke powder weapon and we took cover. We could not see the sniper and we were a bit more cautious as we approached the temple. At the temple we discovered the other adventurers in a battle with several allips. They destroyed the monsters and turned their attack on us. We battled across the plaza of Mystryl in a deadly dance of spells, arrows and flashing blades. I used firebrand for the first time, unleashing a fusillade of fireballs. The evil group was powerful and determined, and we were nearly overmatched. Once again I thrill at the skills of my friends. In the end, I had cast many of my most powerful spells, but the enemy fell before us. Unfortunately, more undead residents of the city arrived at the sounds of battle. Also joining the fray was a phaerimm, another illithid and several lizard men, all mind slaves. Xan killed the phaerimm and the illithid, released from its domination, left quickly. The lizard men had to be killed. Our group reformed at the door to the temple just as a small building, set on wheels burst from the ground and rumbled forward. A quick rope trick gave us a retreat and we hopped inside before we could be captured or worse. The small stone wagon fired a ray at Xan as he slipped into the rope trick. I believe it was a force cage, which scares me silly. For now, the wagon rumbles about outside, mangling the corpses of the evil adventurers. We managed to strip some gear from the bodies before they were utterly destroyed by the wheels and claws of the wagon. The undead host that assembled also joined in the destruction of the intruders. A scrap of journal on one dead man shed some light. They were out of Waterdeep, working east, killing and looting other adventurers, looking for Netherese ruins. They found the city a couple of days ago and learned that if they stayed away from important buildings, the undead don't show up to make things difficult.

We are alive and well for the moment, after some of the most intense fighting we have been through. Now we need to make a plan for getting the most out of our trip into the ruins and getting out alive. I am going to start working on mastering that passwall spell and maybe teleport. I feel that perhaps I can work through some of the more troubling parts. This seems a better place than many, here at the doors to the temple of Mystryl, to unlock the secrets of those spells. Wish me well. As always, I remain

Your faithful student,

Cedar