12 Marpenoth 1371

Dear Master Zorthaster,

We have taken a very short moment to catch our breath here in Shadowhold. It does not look like we will rest long, but I thought I should jot a few lines before we head deeper into the corrupt halls below. I believe we will soon be off to confront the source of evil in this place.

We crept into the lower levels of Shadowhold after fighting the shadowy creatures in the ground level and above. I wrote about this in my previous letter. We tried to be stealthy in our explorations below, but it appears we were discovered shortly after we began to explore. We discovered one room that we thought would be occupied when we opened the door. It was empty even though we had seen light coming from the room only moments before we opened the door.

This was a nice room with book cases, a table and chairs and a dull red fire glowing in a brazier. There appeared to be a gate to Sigil in the door to this room. I think Primula grabbed a few scrolls laying out in plain sight. We left the most of the exploration for later. We were all worried about finding Sallust.

Across the hallway was another door. When we opened this portal, we found that Sallust and a shadow wizard were waiting for us. Sallust was entertaining a guest in this room. I surmised that this man was the rider of the vesserab in the flight deck. Looking at him I guessed that he was also a Shade. He calmly sat at the elegant table, sipping a glass of wine.

I was ready for the door to open and reveal our enemy. I let loose almost immediately with a fusillade of firebrands, choosing to avoid the Shade sitting at the dining table. If we needed to, we could fight him later. The enemies had a chance to prepare for our arrival, and we faced a two-headed shadow cat, shadows, Sallust, a wizard with a skull headed staff, and monstrous spiders.

One of the shadows appeared beside me, stepping out of the wall to attack. I felt a terrible weakness. Almost at the same time, the shadow wizard hit me and several others with a slow spell. The battle might have gone badly, but Primula was able to deal with the shadows that survived my firebrands. Shane raced across the room to engage the wizard and draw off the attention of Sallust. He did that almost too well, getting flanked by Sallust and the wizard at the same time. Kerith cast wounding whispers and let the shadow cat dash itself against the enchantment.

The tide of battle turned our way and the Shade faded into the shadows after saying that he was here to enlist an ally for the city if Shade[he never said he was from shade, but that is a fair guess], not fight a battle for Sallust. The shadow mage tried slipping away as soon as Sallust fell, but we were alert for him. I was still slowed, but Ciercie spotted the wizard as he tried to slip out a secret door. I illuminated the area with a fireball and Xan finished off the wizard with feathered death. I think the shadow mage must have had very effective spell resistance because few of my spells seemed to have any effect on him. The fireball did little other than to help Xan find his target.

Now we are considering our next move. I am feeling much stronger after some attention from Primula. A lesser restoration brought my strength back and a bit of time ended the slow effect. I get the feeling, listening to the conversation that we are headed deeper into the stronghold, hoping to find the source of evil corruption that turned Sallust. I have used a great deal of the spells prepared for the fight today, but still have a few things to draw on. Hopefully I can support my friends enough to see us through the night.

I also wanted to mention to you that I have been thinking much about my experience in the ancient temple of Mystryl. Up until that time, I think I had been just coasting along, thinking much like a young student studying in an interesting foreign location. The encounter with Mystryl’s spirit that lingered there made me realize I was ready to make a commitment to something greater than myself. I did not realize that I was ready to make this commitment or even that it was even something that was necessary for me to do.

I feel now that I should be taking much more responsibility for my learning and even more so, for becoming something that you and my folks can be proud of. I wish to become something that could be useful to Mystra’s purpose in some small way. I intend to investigate the requirements to enter the ranks of the Archmagi. I believe it is time to move in that direction. Perhaps I can begin construction of that staff of force so that it is ready when and if I see the path open before me.

Please tell me if this seems too presumptuous to you.. I don’t want to “put on airs” as they say. I have also considered investigating the prestigious Dweomer Keepers, as their interests seem to track closely with my own. I fear that I lack the wisdom needed to serve Mystra in this way however. Your guidance and advice would be welcome for now and always I will remain,

Your faithful student, Cedar