Zakhary Shepherd's Letters

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle,

I have arrived in Cormyr safely and have taken up residence in a border village called Isenhold. I was pleased to meet up with Miriel Windrider, the Bard I spoke of. We had agreed that we would meet in Cormyr, and she was here as promised. She took a different route than I did, though. I thought she would arrive before me, but she was probably delayed investigating a song or story along the way. I've met several other people here. I'll tell you about them when I'm more certain of their character.

The trip from Waterdeep was relatively uneventful. There were enough caravan guards to ensure we were not bothered for most of the trip. At one point near the border of Cormyr, we were set upon by bandits. I guess they thought they had some advantage. I did see a wizard or sorcerer with them. Perhaps they had some plan that involved a spell. It didn't work, though, because the guard captain got off a crossbow bolt that ruined her spell, and then another guard's arrow killed her. The bandits didn't seem to have their heart in it after that, and we routed them easily. They did manage to recover the mage's body before they fled, so we weren't able to figure out what they had planned or what spell she knew that made them so bold.

All I can really say about Cormyr is that it is a mess. They have been through some tough times, just as we heard. Their army is scattered and weak, and enemies press in on them from all sides. They have an order of knights known as the Purple Dragons, who along with their War Wizards, are responsible more than anyone for protecting the realm. They are spread pretty thin right now, having lost many in the recent war. Monsters, bandits and humanoids roam the countryside in relative freedom, while adventurers like me strike at them, then retreat to the safety behind fortified walls. Our goal is to thin their numbers and keep them from overwhelming the land while this country tries to get its feet back under it. I've been looking into specifics of what's happened, and I'll have more news on the recent events here in future letters.

There's a temple here to a god called Silvanus. I was leery of visiting. I know, I know, not all priests want to cut your heart out and bleed you. I've met some priests of other gods as well, such as Ilmater, and a paladin of Tyr, too. They make me nervous, but I'm getting better. They seem like nice enough people, after all.

If you are able to get word to my parents, let them know that I'm alive and well. Don't take any risks, though. They know I got away to Waterdeep, so no need to jeopardize anything trying to get further word to them.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle,

What a week! There were many events here that I'll try to describe. That last letter was not in my words, as you must know. I got Miriel to write it for me because she can write better. I can talk well, but when I write, the words don't come out the same.

So, first we (Miriel and I) had a run in with the local group of half orc bullies. They were just like the ones in Waterdeep, but are a bit bolder for some reason. They tossed some kind of grenade at Miriel right in the blacksmith's, bold as brass. I lost my temper (surprise!) and confronted the one who did it. We were having a friendly discussion while his two friends were just watching. Miriel pulled me back and said to let the guards handle it. The milisha militia seemed not to care, though. I guess if they don't see it happen, they won't deal with it. It's a small town militia, though. I suppose the orcs have them intimidated. Anyway, that put me in a foul mood for the day, as you can imagine. I had to take that from the Zhenties, but now I have a sword on my hip and I'll take it from no one again. Anyway, I mulled it over and decided to drop it.

Next, I found a nest of Zhenties in the area! We were right about them trying to move in here with all the chaos and unrest. An elf named Del showed a group of us where they were laired, and we managed to kill some before they drove us off in disarray. I'm afraid that in my eagerness to get back at them I let my good sense go to sleep. Anyway, we found ourselves back in town worse for the wear when they organized a counter-attack. But now I have their location they can expect more frequent "visits" from me. It felt good when their lifeblood flowed out on my blade. Good that they looked up at me in surprise as their eyes went glassy, rather than when it happened to Torial that day. Anyway, this will put me in a fey mood if I continue, so I'll just say I will not be collecting ears or anything, but they better not try to surrender.

Finally, I saw two people killed over a stupid disagreement in the local inn. There is a lady named Cortiana who got into an argument with a local blowhard. He's an old man and a drunk, and if he insulted me, I would have let it go, but this lady decided to make him back his words with action. Well, he got scared and started mouthing off more. The lady had her dander up by then and wouldn't let go either. She flicked him on the head with her finger, then he started yelling about being assaulted. Well, things just went downhill from there. The innkeeper told the old man to go back to his room, and the lady to get out of the inn. Well, she was in a high temper and started threatening the innkeep how she could break every bone in his body and such. I think she's been the butt of suspicion and bad words over something in her past and decided not to take it any more.

About this time a militiaman named Bentin showed up at the inn to see what the trouble was. I think he has a past with the lady, because he started talking about hauling her off to jail. Called her a murderer, too. They went outside, and the lady tried to get away from the militiaman, so he attacked her with his blade and finally cut her down. I guess they don't carry clubs here for this stuff. Maybe because it's a frontier town. Another lady named Lynarra healed her back up, and the militiaman started to haul her off to jail, when she killed him back. Everyone was arguing about what to do and that Cortiana should get out of town. Well, that would be a bad idea after assaulting a militiaman. Anyway, another militiaman came up and took charge, but the lady slipped a potion that made her invisible and got away. She's wanted for murder now with a price on her head. Two others were accused of helping her, including Lynarra, but she has cleared herself already.

It was just a bad business all around. The woman was full of pride, and the militiaman was full of himself and his power, plus he carried a grudge that colored his reaction to Cortiana. So now two people were killed over insults hurled at a tavern, and both of them had some blame in it. Of course, being a militiaman means he'll not have to anser answer for it. Everyone's mind is made up. She was a fool to assault Bentin, though.

One thing I have noticed here is that the law is more concerned with being obeyed without question than with getting at justice. They bark an order and if you don't hop to it, they act like you're defying the king himself. Question anything and you're told you can leave the country if you don't like it. I fear the order that's coming back here is more harsh than what was before. More concerned with only following the rules and less with what's right. I may be wrong, but it seems there is no thought that the law is for keeping the peace and protecting the people. Now its about the people serving the law and unquestioning obedience. I hope I'm wrong, anyway, otherwise why bother to help out here?

It seems that everyone here is willing to draw steel over the most trivial things. Just today a duel almost broke out between an elf and a dwarf over, again, insults in a tavern. They were going to draw steel and kill over it. Brawl, fine, but kill? Maybe it's the frontier way of thinking.

Anyway, I'll write more as I get more news.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Waterdeep -

Dear Zakhary,

I got your recent letter detailing your safe arrival at the village of Isinhold in Cormyr. I'm pleased to hear you are well. Your recent departure from Waterdeep has caused something of a minor stir in the militia. There have actually been fistfights erupting between soldiers who supported your actions and those who disagreed with them. Needless to say, your captain is annoyed at the trouble you caused, though he told me he did miss your steady presence in the line of battle. He is one of those who disagreed with your killing of those Zhentarim prisoners, but he understood your motivations, which is why he only discharged you. He's had to explain why you weren't put on trial, but I think the whirlwind is playing itself out. He managed to convince everyone that technically, they weren't prisoners yet. That they were still on the battlefield and had not been placed in the charge of an officer. I would recommend that you don't return here for at least a year and a day, though.

You'll be pleased to hear that I have news from your family. There were no repurcussions for your disappearance. Your father was not implicated in smuggling you away from Zhentil Keep. The day after you left, the keep was attacked and destroyed by a large force of dragons, giants and ogres. I think everyone assumed you were killed in the attack. Anyway, that news is four years old, since it takes a while for news to travel between your family and me. But, as of a couple of years ago, they are fine.

Regarding your interactions with other temples, you must remember that they are not all bad. There are some very good temples out there, you just need to find them. Selune is a good start, but there are others, Tyr, Torm, Lathander, Sune to name a few. Since you have chosen the warrior's path, you should make an effort to gain the favor of a warrior's god as well as Selune. I understand that she has been the patron of our family for as far back as any of us remember, but there are others you should look into.

Have you tried to join any local militias or mercenary companies? I have heard of a group called the Purple Dragons and another known as the Harpers who operate in Cormyr. I don't know too much about them, but they might be worth looking into.

I will probably be able to get word to your family as well, but as you said I will not take any undue risks that might place them in jeopardy.

Anyway, be safe and be well.

Your loving uncle,

Evan

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle,

I am very happy to hear that my family is doing good. Even though the news is very old it is more recent than I knew before. I was sorry to hear about the fighting among my old comrades in the militia. If I was there I would crack some of their heads for them and tell them they should not fight over that.

You were also right about how getting rid of my accent would be smart. Miriel helped me to say Common words right and now people don't think I'm so stupid or a country bumpkin. Someone said I do still have an accent. She said I talk like an elf with an elf accent. But I guess that is better than speaking like I did before. I can't write you her name because she worships Sune and said that on account of I have a big ugly scar on my face I can't tell anybody she knows me because Sune wouldn't like it if people thought she knew me.

If you remember the trouble I wrote you about before with that lady named Cortiana being in trouble with the law. They caught her and executed her. I think it was a sad story. Maybe a bard will write something about it. I think the militia and the Purple Dragon Nights Knights here are feeling like they are under seige so they are getting harsh with people. Not like with Cortiana becasue you can't kill the militia. But like with other stuff that is minor and should just get a club on the head or a night in jail or a fine or something. It is like they want you to do what they say and don't ask questions. Well you can't do that with people right? Unless they are in the army or something. If you ask a question or tell them their order doesn't sound like a good idea they get angry. Anyway mayhap it will change if we can take care of the Zhenties and bandits and humanoids (humanoids means the kobolds and orcs and such and demi-humans means the elves and dwarves and gnomes and such).

I have been doing my part as much as I can. Mostly I have to go out alone. Sometimes someone will go with me but I mostly I have to go alone these days. I went to see the Zhentie camp. I just go around the edges scouting them and killing sentries who get careless. I also found a place where Bugbears hid out. An elf asked me to check on some people of his who were captured. I scouted their stronghold and killed their guards. I was driven out by one of their champions but came back a few days later. I hit them in small groups until they were all gone. I found the elves in their jail and we all went back to Isinhold. Their wizards were a problem but I remember how to hit wizards from Waterdeep. Use a bow or throwing axes so they mess up their spells and kill them without getting close. Usually you can shoot a bow or throw an axe further than their spell range except for some spells.

When we came back the elf offered to give me some money but I said no. I can't take money for that.

I never heard that the Harpers were down here in Cormyr. I remember they have people in Waterdeep but they keep quiet mostly and don't show themselves. Some people say they are up to no good but I never seen saw them do anything bad. The Purple Dragons are really called the Purple Dragon Knights. They wear purple all the time with a dragon on their tabard and they are knights. I don't think they would take a sheepherder because I am a peasant. There are some other clicks groups here too. One is called the Red Ravens. They are bounty hunters. I guess out here they need them more. They have a group called the Maidens of Hope too but they are all women and that lady Cortiana was one of them so I do not know what they stand for really plus they are women so I can't join anyway.

Anyways, I found some orcs too. A man named Rastan showed me where they live and we both went there. They are like other orcs except kind of blue instead of green. There is a man here everyone calls Kah who says we should leave the orcs alone. He says they only attack because we are killing them all the time. I don't know about that, though. I think it is a fight that goes back a long time and who knows who started it. Kah is a halfbreed orc though so he has a bone to pick about orcs I think he likes orcs better than humans but he speaks Common better than me. Someone told me a story on the trip here to Isinhold. She said that a long time ago there weren't any humans here on Faerun. She said the orcs and elves were fighting a war for years and years and finally the elves did a really big spell to bring the bane down on the orcs (a bane means something bad) but it didn't go right and they got humans instead. She said it was ironic that the humans were the bane of the orcs but also of the elves. I don't know if it is true but it was a little funny and sad too. I think that is what ironic means if something is funny and sad. It was a good story, though. I can't tell it like she did and no it wasn't Miriel because she wasn't on the trip with me to Isinhold. She is also the one who told me I talk like an elf now. I guess that is because Miriel is an elf and she taught me how to say words right. But I guess they still aren't right because I have an elf accent now.

So, I'll write you another letter soon and I'll let you know if I make any friends here. Well there's Miriel but I haven't seen her for a while. I don't know what she is doing maybe she is mad at those half orcs and is writing a song about them. I don't think they would care though.

Oh yes this time I wrote the letter and Miriel did not look at it at all like the last two. I wrote this all by myself and I found where I spelled some words wrong so that is why I crossed them out. Miriel says I don't use commas but I don't know where to put them so I don't know. She put the commas in my last letter and says I am a heathen because I don't put commas in but she is just joking with me.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am doing fine too. I have some really interesting things to tell you about plus some other stuff that may not be interesting but I'm going to tell you anyway so you know.

First I found a bar of some metal called adamantine. It is really expensive and very hard to work according to the blacksmith here in Isinhold. I took a hammer and a file to it just to get a feel for it and it is very hard. I know I could not work it at all right now. I am getting better at making weapons and armor but I'm still not good enough to work on this adamantine. I also found some wood called Ironwood. It is called ironwood because it is really hard like iron. I thought that it was used by druids because they can't use metal but when I talked to a druid of Silvanus he said that he was allowed to use metal so I guess I was wrong. I can't remember where I heard that they can't use metal but somebody lied to me. There is a master smith here in town called Helgrin he is a dwarf and is very good. I thought he could use the ironwood, but he said he doesn't keep wood around because he work mostly in metal anyway. I spoke to him about the adamantine and he is willing to make me a suit of armor out of it. I have to come up with a lot of money but it will keep me safe so I don't mind paying. I have to save for it though. I had the money a while ago but didn't know that Helgrin could make it so I spent the money on medicine and some magic potions that can heal you.

Some friends and I went to visit the Zhentie camp again and we attacked them with a new tactic. We put down some traps along a narrow path and we got them to charge us across where the traps were set up. It was great! They ran right over the traps and died. We killed half of them that way and then got the rest of them easier. But then they got some reinforcements and came back to counter attack. We were driven back again. I got hit hard and things went fuzzy. I remember that I was trying to hold them off so everyone could get away but they were all around us so it turned out badly in the end. We did get away and regrouped in town. I know it sounds like I'm doing badly against them but there are a lot of them and only a few of us so really we are doing pretty good. We keep killing them. I also like to visit them on my own at night and kill sentries. I think they don't like sentry duty any more. I am getting cautious though because I think they may try to ambush me if I keep killing their sentries. I have been careful not to have a pattern or anything so maybe they won't. I am learning more and more every time I attack them either alone or with friends. This last time I learned to be faster. Get in and out before the reinforcements. Kill off everyone and burn the camp quickly. The trap thing was really good though!

I had a talk with on of the Purple Dragon Knights called Kelric Hawkrune. I guess he is one of the officers in their army. He was making conversation but I also think he was checking up on me. I don't mind because that is his job so it is OK. He did not like it when I told him why I got kicked out of the Waterdeep army. He said it was almost murder to kill people when they try to surrender, but he does not understand. Well maybe he does but I don't think so. Anyway whenever we are going to attack Zhenties I make sure everyone knows I won't be taking anyone prisoner. I think he has to set an example because of who he is but things are different on the battlfield. Everyone is killing so the rules are different. I explained why I came here to Cormyr too from our talk. How you suggested I come here because the fighting was for something good to make the country safe again instead of over money or mining rights or fishing rights or other stupid things. He was going to ask what I have been up to while I have been here but he got interrupted by someone so we never got to it. Then an elf lady came in and he went to take a walk with her. She was really pretty so I can understand why he would want to take a walk rather than talk to me! I think they were old friends and have not seen each other for a while.

I took a trip to the town of Redmist the other day with a priestess of Ilmater called Abby Winters. She told me something about Ilmater and how he does not like being tortured really. I thought he did but I found out different. She said there is something called the Triad (that means three) which is Ilmater, Torm and Tyr who are three gods who work together all the time. She said that Ilmater takes the blows meant for innocents like a shield blocks the blows when you are fighting. He does not like to but he thinks it is better than the innocent people getting hurt. She is a good healer too and I needed it for the trip we took. When I go to Redmist I take the south road. I thought it was the only way but there is a way to take the east road out of Isinhold. The problem is that the trip is more dangerous. We had to go past an orc cave and they started shooting arrows at us so I had to kill them. We snuck past the cave they were living in though. Next we met some half orc half ogre things that are called Ogrillons. There were a lot of them and they can hit hard. I had to fight them all myself because Abby Winters does not fight. She told me before we left on the trip so it was ok since I already knew. After the ogrillons we saw some trolls. There were three or four of them but I was able to fight them one at a time so I could beat them. Abby had to patch me up after each fight but we got through them. They would start hitting themselves and foaming at the mouth like the berserkers do before they attacked me. We saw some bandits too, but they were easier than the trolls. They had a wizard but I went for her first. That's a rule we learned in the army. Always kill the wizards and priests first if you can. She was able to cast a spell called fireball first which got Abby Winters and me singed pretty good! Also there were some ogres. I had to fight two of them at onces, but the third got his foot caught in a tree and I could fight him after I killed the first two. It would have been tricky to fight all three but I got lucky. Abby Winters said that she thought there might be an ogre wizard around too, but we didn't see him until later. He cast a spell to make himself invisible and then cast a spell at Abby Winters which knocked her out. I was able to kill him while he was distracted and then had to patch up Abby Winters. I told her there was no charge for bandaging her up. That's a joke because she was saying how she would heal anyone for no charge because that is what Ilmater wanted her to do. So I said I would not charge her for healing her but she patched me up lots of times on the trip anyway. But it was a little funny at least. So finally we got to Redmist and I got some sleep at the inn. I told Abby Winters that I would take her back if she needed it but she got back before I was ready so I went back myself on the south road this time which is a lot less dangerous.

Anyway that is what is happening here so you can see I'm doing well. I will write another letter soon.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle,

How are you I hope this letter find you are doing well. Here everything is still fine. I am doing well, making new friends and seeing the country more and more each day.

You were right about how this country has some problems. The roads between the towns here are full of monsters and bandits and orcs and such. I took a trip to Redmist on the East road which I wrote about to you before where there were trolls and such. I was going with some people I know. One is called Parsifal von Sharken Parsifal who is a half orc but is a lot nicer than most half orcs I've met because he's not very cranky or prickly. He has a lot of friends because he's pretty nice. Fisten is a wizard but calls himself a blood mage and I don't know what that is yet because nobody will tell me plain. They just do that wizard thing with suttle answers that don't really say anything. I'll figure it out, but you probably already know what he's talking about so maybe you can explain it to me. We also went with an elf called Beloril, but we all call him Bel for short like people call me Zak for short. We were traveling with a lady named Deliana who we call Del. She is a wizard like Fisten but also won't say plain what it means. She said that wizards don't count her and people like her as wizards but won't say why that is. I can't figure it out either.

Anyway we were going to Redmist and we didn't make it. I don't exactly know what happened but I know we made it past the trolls and were almost at the city. After that I don't remember. Deliana wasn't with us, so I don't know what happened to her either. Anyway next time I have a group of people to travel with I'm going to take the East Road again because I want to know what happened.

One thing that made me laugh is the Zhenties now have two people on sentry duty when I go to their camp. I guess they got lonely being killed off alone. I wasn't put out. Just now I get to kill two of them at a time. Some people think I shouldn't be killing them without mercy but I don't agree. What do you think?

Everybody here I talk to has been asking about what you do. I don't know so I couldn't tell them.

Next time I'll write about the people I've been meeting and what I think of them. I know you like to hear about people and what they do because you were always asking me about them when I was living with you.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle Evan,

How are you doing I am well. It has been a month and I have not heard anything from you is everything alright? It probly is because I know you are often called away for times at all ours of the day or night.

We are getting ready for a festival in the city of Arabel. It is being put on to help the people there who have not been able to rebuild as quick as other places and they still need help. I'm bringing some bandages if I can but I have to raise some money to buy them first. I lost a box that I kept all my bandages in and all the magical potions that I need out here for when I'm fighting monsters and orcs and stuff. I am laughing about it now but I was reely hot when it happened. I was in an old ruin where there are some minotars and in one fight me and my ---companeon companyon--- buddys got separated in the fight. I was alone and it was pretty dark too. I found a spot with some old bones and there was an empty box but I didn't need it cause I have a couple of boxes already. I set my stuff down and started putting it together to carry easier. Well then I hear some minotars coming which I can tell because they sound like cattle on cobblestones and I picked up the empty box instead of the one with my stuff like potions and bandages in it. I got out of the ruins finally and that's when I figured out I messed up.

My buddys helped me cause we went back to look for the box but it was so dark I couldn't figure out where I had stopped and the minotars were sniffing us out so we had to leave. Boy was I hot about that! I got over it cause you know me I can't stay mad at anybody or anything. Now I'm laughing and I'm never putting all my stuff in one box any more just spread out all over my pack so I can't lose it all at the same time.

The other big thing that happened was I got stabbed in the back when I was talking to my buddys at the inn here in Isinhold. Boy was I surprised! We was talking about how a person named Raven Rift had killed a bunch of people here the other day by summoning a demon. I guess he's a wizard or something cause he can summon demons and it just up and killed everybody sitting around outside the inn. Well some one I don't know who cause they had a hood and mask on stepped up behind me and stabbed me and said This is a gift from Raven Rift and ran out while everyone just stood there with their jaws dropped. I remember cause when I was falling over it was like when time slows down if your in a fight and I just saw everyone with big Os for mouths and watching this person run out. I was on the floor by the time they ran out to chase the person but no luck.

There was a guy outside named Ranan Hallomien and people thought maybe he did it but Captain Kam Malagan who was a sailor but not anymore saw him outside before so I don't think it was him. Also a lady I know named Deliana Nefzen said she knew him and he wouldn't do that. It got a bit testy inside as people started accusing him but I told everybody to hold on cause there was no proof and Kam was outside too. Anyway people were saying that his voice sounded the same as the one who stabbed me but I couldn't tell and I said I didn't think it was him. Besides there is another wizard who is wanted around Isinhold and it was probably him anyway not this Ranan fellow. It was still pretty hot and I think there was some hard feelings still but I am satisfied. I was glad people were sticking up for me but even if Ranan did it there was no proof anyway so I'm not going to push on it.

Here is the information you wanted on the people I've been meeting and what I know about them I know you like to collect this stuff and find out who I'm ---assosi associ--- hanging out with. I want you to know I'm being cautios and I'm not falling in with people of bad character cause I don't want to be led down a wrong path.

---- a list of people Zak knows and some brief personal information about them follows, including: Beloril, Collan, Del, Deliana, Iyath, Mina, Nura, Parsifal, Rastan, Shana, Tar, Torgeir ----

I hope you are doing well and you will write to me some more I know you are busy though but I am looking for a letter around the same time each month.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Dear Zackhary,

Thank you for your most recent letter. I have been away for an extended time recently, and was not able to respond to your letters. As you know from living with me, I am often called away on short notice for variable periods of time. I was always grateful that you were able to adjust so quickly and more grateful that you did not see fit to pry into the reasons.

I was, as always, very interested to hear who you are associating with. As your father always said, you can tell a lot about a person by their associates. Did he tell you that I was the one who told him that? I suspect not. It seems that you are associating with people of good character from what I can tell. I have discovered some interesting things about some of your associates, but if they have not seen fit to tell you about it, that is their choice. In addition, I have been hearing good reports of you. I have heard of a simple, yet good hearted peasant warrior who is kind, generous and dependable.

I have also heard of a dark side to your nature, including your treatment of Zhentarim who come into your power. I understand your hatred of the Zhentarim, but you should seriously reconsider your feelings. Nursing hatred will open an avenue for evil to enter your heart. Working to destroy the Zhentarim is one thing, becasue they should be opposed. However, your hatred of them clouds your judgement and exposes you to countermeasures that you will not see coming. You are not the only one who has suffered at their hands. You at least came away with your life. You have not been maimed or crippled. At best, you should be annoyed. If you oppose them, it should be with a clear head.

That aside, it seems you have been settling in to Cormyr well. I am happy to hear it. I have heard that you have taken up playing the lute, a gift from one of your companions, Mina Barima. Perhaps you should look into the harp instead. It is a more versatile instrument, and harpers are more prized because of the skill required to play their instruments well. Even if you decide to play the lute, you should learn the fundamentals on the harp first. Consider asking around for a harp. I'm sure someone there can help you find one suited to you.

I am expecting news from your family within the month, and I will send it on in my regular letter to you.

With all my love,

Evan

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle,

I am glad to hear that you are still ok. I alredy knew that you might be taken away with no warning because that is what you did when I was living with you and it is ok too. I do not know what you do and if you wanted me to know I guess you would tell me. I don't think you are doing anything wrong so that is fine.

I read your advice about me not getting mad any more at the Zhenties and I am thinking about it hard. You are right that you need a clear head in a fight and if I am mad I will not think clearly and I could get myself or my friends killed so I will think about it some more. Right now I am more mad at my friends than the Zhenties though.

I got accused of being a murderer by a lady named Evana in Redmist. She said I was boasting about murdering people and that killing and murder are the same thing so I am a murderer. Well I did not say nothing because people can say what they like and if they got no proof then to hell with them. Anyway I am not a murderer. Well then my friends said they would vouch for me like I was a criminal who needed their good word to walk the streets and I do not need anyone vouching for me. What really got me was how they all told this Evana how nice it was to see her again and good luck to her and all that. I do not understand how they can say that to someone who just said I was a murderer in front of them. I guess I am not as good a friend to them as I thought. What do you think? I think if someone called a friend of mine a murderer I would not be telling them how happy I was to see them any more.

I have not been able to save up much money since I been here on account of I have to keep spending money on supplies like potions and healing kits. I am sick of going places with spellcasters who cast all their spells on themselves. I got expenses and I should start charging these people extra if they want me to go with them. There are some who are good about it. I know I will get some magic help from them because they know it is better to make me stronger or better protected. Others think they can put the spells on themselves and turn into warriors. Seems like every time I go on an expedition, I barely make enough to cover the healing kits and potions I need to use. What do you think? I am pretty hot right now but I will probably calm down later.

Also I started helping out the innkeeper here in Isinhold. His name is Kale Ogden and his inn is going to close soon because he is not making any money on account of he is too nice and lets people stay for free if they need to and now his inn is almost falling down for not being repaired. He needs 25,000 lions (that is the gold coin here in Cormyr) and I am trying to collect the money to pay him what he needs. We are doing pretty good so far and I think we will have the money he needs before a week is up. I was happy that two of the people there trusted me with the money but other people have said I am a thief and this is a scam. I look at it same as the lady called me a murderer. Talk is cheap.

Anyway I will talk to you soon and I hope you have some good news from my family. Next letter I will tell you how the Zhenties invaded the village and a bunch of us drove them off and I got killed again.

Love,

Zakhary

[Pookey]

Dear Uncle Evan,

I hope this letter finds you well I am doing fine here in Cormyr. Last time I wrote you I said I would tell you about how I got into a big fight with the Zhenties and how I got killed so here goes. I was going from Redmist which is a town here to Isinhold which is the village I mostly live in with some friends of mine when we saw some smoke coming from Isinhold. We got there and found out that the Zhenties had attacked the village and there was a big fight going on past the west gate. We all ran there and joined in the fighting and then I woke up cause I got raised from a scroll. It was all fuzzy and I cannot remember who it was who brought me back any more but it was a big fight and we fought them again a few days later and this time we really spanked them good.

I got some news about the inn here in Isinhold which is called the Regal Griffon. I was able to get the word out to enough people and we were able to save the inn. I got a little sneaky too since I figured someone would try to rob me knowing I was carrying all the money around I gave half of it to two of my friends called Torgeir and Collan. I kept collecting the money and we got more than Mr. Ogden said we needed but I kept collecting just in case and it turned out that was a good thing because the man he had to pay said he owed interest as well but we collected enough to cover everything and sent him packing. After that everyone got together and we helped him clean up the inn and he got new furniture and changed the rooms around some as well. The inn is looking much better now and he seems a lot happier. Everyone was saying what a good job I did which was nice but all I did was hold on to the money and even then I gave most of it to other people to hold for me. I did keep track of the money in a notebook I use for tracking my smithing jobs. I learned to do that from dwarf called Master Helgrin well he is really called Helgrin but I call him Master Helgrin because he is a Master Smith so it is respectful.

Something else I saw a note up in the inn here and in Redmist the the Royal Corps of Monster Hunters was looking for new recruits they are the people we call Purple Dragons but there are different types of Purple Dragons and these are just one group of them. They are looking for new people and I talked to one of them called Vinduil about it because I was interested. He told me all about it and I said I would have to think it over because it is a big --- disision --- decision. Well I thought it over and I decided not to join up but I haven't seen him yet to tell him. I decided that I didn't want to be under the orders of someone else because I wanted to do things because I want to or because I think they need doing. I know that I could do some good in the Monster Hunters but I think I could do better outside of them. I hope he doesn't get mad or --- disapointed --- disappointed and I hope I can work with them if they need help.

I been doing exploring and some killing of undead including a skull that floated around and had glowing gems in its eyes and it cast a spell that made time stand still or that is what a mage who was with us said it was. We got out of there alive but some of us died and had to be raised. I think that it hits some of us harder than others and I think it depends on how smart you are if it makes you feel worse than others when you get killed and then raised. I don't feel it so much because I get confused and I sometimes see Selune smiling at me and sometimes she talks to me and says to get back because I got work to do so it is not such a bad thing but other people like Shana or Collan or Mina it really makes them feel strange and bad for a long time. I wonder if they are smarter than me it means they can feel things I do not like if I could not see and they could or if I could not see colors and they could. But this means they can feel things more than I can like emotions and stuff because they are smarter or wiser than I am. I really like my friends but they sometimes make me feel pretty stupid because I do not sometime understand what they are talking about but I act like I do but sometimes I do ask what they mean by something they said and they smile at me and I think they are laughing at me in their heads but I guess it does not matter because they still like me.

I hope I get a letter from you soon.

Love

Zakhary.

[Pookey]

Waterdeep -

Dear Zakhary,

I hope you get back to Cormyr before this letter. I was a bit surprised when you showed up on my doorstep, but quite pleased. I hope your stay here was pleasant. I'm sorry I was called away while you were here, but it is the nature of my work. I wish I'd been back before you left, but I wanted to make sure everything went well for you.

I understand you got a job offer while you were here in Waterdeep. The merchant in question is not of good character, so I'm glad you were smart enough to turn him down. Getting involved in a war between merchant houses is not a good place to be.

Regarding the Cormyrian Purple Knights, you have to choose the path that's right for you. If you chose for your own reasons and not becasue of the influence of others, then you should have no regrets. If anyone in the Purple Knights disparages you because of your choice, then perhaps that is confirmation of your decision. They are not the only ones working to improve things in Cormyr. Considering your nature, you are better off on your own anyway. Perhaps you might consider forming your own group of adventurers? A small, but committed group can often to much to change things for the better. You have indicated you have friends in Cormyr. Perhaps they would be interested in joining such a group. It is something to consider.

Finally, I have news of your family. My contacts have been able to smuggle them out and they are now on their way to Waterdeep. I don't have all the information yet, but thought you would like to know that they are no longer in the power of evil. Normally, I would wait until they were here before I said anything, but I know you would want to hear about it as soon as possible. Barring anything unforseen, they will be here at my home in less than a month. I should have more to write you in my next letter if everything goes to schedule.

Your Loving Uncle,

Evan

[Pookey]

To: Shana Aers, Temple of Lathander, Silverymoon

Dear Shana Hi it's Zak. I'm righting this letter and I hope you get it because I do not know where you are really but Ailren said you went to Silverymoon for good. I think that if you did then you should get this becuase you are a Dawnbringer and probably go to the temple a lot to pray.

I have been well how are you? I was really sorry that you went away and did not say good bye to me because I would have liked to say goodbye. I had a real nice time with you and Talon killing the bugbears. I do not get to go out much no more because Brin and Beloril are together so she is with him and his friends mostly. Sometimes we go out to explore together but not so much any more and everyone else was there because of her and Brin I guess because they do not need me around no more on account of they have other warriors to keep them safe. Sometimes they come to ask me to go with them but it is because they think I am lonely and I do not need their pity so I say no thanks. I am not lonely so they are mistaken for sure.

Anyway I just wanted to say goodbye and I hope you do ok up in Silverymood. I will miss you lots.

Your friend,

Zakhary Shepherd