Marpanoth, 48. I came back to Cordor for a few days to trade, and what I found here made me change my plans and stay for a while longer. So I've started my diary again, to share my experiences with Lilanca, Jerum and Madeline.

Within moments of getting off the boat I saw signposts to the Earthkin Alliance headquarters. In Cordor. Then in the Merchant Quarter I bumped into Herial, who recognised me at once, and told me that Bendir had been taken over by a necromantic Queen. The second person I met was a fellow priestess of Yondalla, called Sasha. She is one of those behind the new Alliance building, and in talking further with her, she has recently converted from the service of Waukeen and is looking for guidance.

-o-

Well, I've spoken with Sadamara, the new Queen of Bendir. I'm still not quite sure why she's not simply a mayor, but she doesn't seem to mind that I don't use her title. She does seem very focused and ruthless, with little to no compassion or care for others. Her husband is a tallkin priest of Cyric called Peter, and her chief spy is a tallkin called Katar Black. I understand now why everyone dislikes her and avoids Bendir. However, I can see her usefulness as a leader, if only those around her are there to balance her curiously focused personality. Her current advisors just won't do. Since my old home is up for sale, I have bought it to re-establish Yondalla's shrine.

-o-

I've spoken more with Sasha and Feste, whom I remember from the old days. He apparently stood up and spoke against Sadamara at her coronation and is in her bad books. They mean the Alliance to teach our kin about their past here, and to provide them a safe home outside of Bendir. They told me more about the hin who still serve Sadamara: I do not think things are as bad as they seem to. Arlan - Aldur and Kikko's son - is her right hand, a priest of Hoar. He at least I should be able to talk to. Maar is a young boy and a powerful sorcerer, apparently kindly. Azrael and Dragrin are senior Hawk'ins, but are retiring to live together. Azrael I was always fond of, I'll try and talk to him.

-o-

I have spoken with Azrael. He was instrumental in Sadamara's rise, but now regrets his part in it, along with much else that he has done this past decade. His despair touched me, and I sought to heal it, with some success I think. He and Dragrin should be happy in Guldorand, and I'm sure Az would help me if I asked him to. He still cares enough to warn me away from Bendir.

-o-

I've passed the last few days writing histories and getting to know the current generation of Bendirites. Feste has made a statue of me for the Alliance building, which is very flattering... I was speechless when Sasha first showed me. As for Sasha herself, she seems in awe of me, which is a little unnerving. However, she still has a lot to learn - in particular that -all- hin are her responsibility.

-o-

Arlan is planning to kill himself. Some Hoarite nonsense about punishing his dying wife for not telling him she was sick. I've tried various ways to change his mind... but while things looked bleak at first I think he's finally beginning to change his mind. He gave me the greatest compliment anyone ever has: he said that I was the only one whose words gave him cause to doubt his path.

The fort was attacked during one of our conversations... creatures I saw a long time ago, but which the Arcane Tower remembers are called Rippers. Katar Black apparently had some role in bringing them here, so Sadamara has now banished him. The attack was painful, but the removal of Katar is a major step forward.

-o-

• this page is stained with tears* Arlan is dead - murdered. Azrael believes that a woman called Scorch did it, and that he made her pregnant shortly before. What a mess... Bendir's first murder, at least that I know of. I'm going to try and talk to Scorch...

-o-

I did not manage to find Scorch. Nor did I hear any news of her. Either she was quietly killed, or fled... I suspect the latter. Either way, it seems we will get no better sign of her guilt or otherwise.

-o-

The war of words, of ideals, between the Alliance and Bendir continues. Feste deplores the lack of integrity in Bendir's rule, while for her part Sadamara has intimated that she is willing to share power. I have spoken with Feste and Azrael, and I think that a compromise can be found here. If Sadamara will agree to a mayor with real authority, and Feste will accept that Sadamara is going to retain her crown, then the sides can be reconciled.

-o-

Feste and Sadamara would both accept either Azrael or me as Mayor. Azrael is keen, and his betrothed Dragrin is proud that he might gain the position, I think. So do I step aside - again - and let another lead Bendir? My heart still wants it... even as a mayor under a Queen. I would need the support of Feste and Sasha, though. Sadamara has said that she will appoint whomsoever the Alliance unequivocally chooses. But I do not think I have enough supporters who are mine rather than Azrael's, so I think I will step aside this time, once more.

-o-

I encountered Banites in the fort today! Three of them. First Knight Lady Slades, Templar Bloodsman and Squire Ken Winno. They also referred to Imperceptor Edwin Blackstone. I confronted them over Stonehold's history with Bendir, and not only were they proud of it, they gloried in the fact that Bendir had helped Ryan Valtheran claim his first stronghold from the minotaurs, before he turned on us. Sadamara's policy of neutrality towards them is plainly wrong, I am sure of that: they claim to be growing strong once more.

-o-

Still angry over the Banites' defiance, I entered a mage fair tournament being run by miss Shaalira for the Harvest Festival. Throwing lots of tentacle spells around was good for my mood, though unsurprisingly I didn't win a round. Miss Melisandre won the event, defeating Archmage Mesmer in the final. Notable was her use of a possessed familiar and counterspells to win the summoning rounds. After the event Feste and I had a long chat. He's less and less comfortable with the compromise for Bendir's leadership the more detail we go into, and is going to talk to his friends about whether he should accept it or challenge Sadamara's rule instead. Yondalla's creed guides me toward the compromise as Sadamara is hin too, but so long as there is no violence I would gladly contest her rule. We'll see what course Feste decides on.

-o-

Jerum has arrived, though Lilanca decided to delay her departure. Jeru's sure she'll join us though, she's probably just making a point. Still, Jeru has found friends already, so I'm sure he'll settle in just fine. For my part, I think I will maintain this diary; maybe it will be of interest to others when I no longer wish to keep it private.

-o-

It has been a hectic few days, but I am Mayor-elect of Bendir and Sadamara has chosen to leave the island. Her departure makes my life easier, though her bitterness leaves a bad taste. Still, it is better than violence. Recently the forces of the Abyss, led by their 'Emperor', allied with Banites under First Knight Slades to try and break the Queen of the Abyss, Kathea, out of Spellhold. Bendir joined the Keep and Cordor in resisting them, and the attackers were captured.

Earlier that day I was confronted and threatened in my own home by Ferret, a hin monk and alchemist who Sasha knows. He wanted to kill me for knowing too much about him - such as the fact that he is a Lovietaran. I escaped with a lens, but he still wants to harm me. I will have to take care.

-o-

The Banites gathered at the gates of Bendir, but our allies in the Keep and Myon arrived in force, and gave them formal notice that they are no longer welcome here. They have threatened war but that is as expected; better now when I am confident we can win than later when I may not be.