Eleasias 28, 1371 DR
After four long days, the sandstorm has finally run its course. I have to say, I am truly proud to be a part of this adventuring company. As a whole we think quickly and creatively - our solution to the problem of Tren Noemfor was without a doubt the best of all choices. In one fell swoop, we have managed to avoid the pitfalls of associating with the Zhentarim, without sinking to their level, we have, in their eyes, solved the problem of Tren by eliminating him, and we have handed the Harpers more information about the Zhentarim trade through the desert than we could have possibly hoped to give them in a lifetime of working Zhent caravans.

Evendur is concerned. Apparently Vestele has chosen a more direct route through the desert. One that cuts through Bedine lands, away from the normally traveled Black Road. He has warned us that the Bedine are restless out here and that we could be in for some serious trouble.

Eleint 1, 1371 DR
On several of the evenings since the sandstorm, we have seen lightning in the sky far off on the horizon. Today we may have discovered the source of this disturbance. We have come across an ancient Netherese city that seems to have risen from the heart of the desert. No doubt it was uncovered during the phenomenal sandstorm that started on the evening of Eleasias 23.

Not long before our discovery of this city of the sands, a strange thing occurred. Kerith was knocked from his horse as a huge lion leapt from underneath the sands. It pinned him to the sand with its enormous bulk and things were very tense for a few moments. But Kerith began to hum to it and it almost seemed as if the two of them communicated for a few brief seconds before it leapt away and vanished amidst the flowing dunes. Kerith has kept his own counsel on this affair, but I am curious to learn what happened. Perhaps as we while away our time here in Cedar's rope trick he will tell us exactly what happened.

Yes, we are currently hiding in one of Cedar's rope tricks. It certainly is a handy means of disappearing when necessary. How did we end up here? Well, it's actually a rather short story.

Upon sighting the ruins of the Netherese city, Vestele offered us the opportunity to investigate. She promised to venture on around the city with the caravan and stop a day's ride from the western edge of the city. There she has said she will await us until approximately the 7th of Eleint, at which time the caravan will press on - with or without us.

We quickly agreed and after some initial reconnaissance with a device that Evendur let us use - a tube that makes small things look big - we set out for the strange city.

Already alerted to the presence of other forces warring within the city, we decided to approach as cautiously as we were able. In his scouting Xan happened across an illithid and made short work of it with his bow before high-tailing it back to the group. Just as we were deciding which way to go to avoid more of its kind, something smashed into Primula, knocking her to the ground. This projectile was followed by a report from somewhere further into the city. Ducking for cover, we worked our way around the other side of the building and began heading for a huge domed structure near the center of the city.

As it turns out, that structure is a temple to Mystryl - apparently that's the name that the Netherese used for Mystra. Cedar went on about different "incarnations" of the goddess for some time, but essentially what it boils down to is different name, same goddess.

Just as we neared the temple, we saw another group of adventurers outside of the temple attempting to get in. They quickly made it clear that they were not interested in getting to know us or in even finding out who we were. So, the battle began. We made fairly short work of them, but not without taking a few licks ourselves. Unfortunately, we managed to attract the attention of others within the city.

The next group was led by a phaerimm - they were all mindslaves enthralled by the phaerimm. For the most part it was a large contingent of laertes, the desert lizard men, however, the phaerimm also had an illithid under his thrall. We also made short work of this band once the phaerimm was eliminated, but then the undead began to close in on us. Wave after wave of nasty undead creatures including giant skeletons and an immense bone "golem". There were even mummies and nastier undead further back in the ranks. Cedar quickly created the rope trick to get us out of harms way and we began to pile inside, trying to grab as much loot as we could from the other adventurers but still trying to get to safety as quickly as possible.

Xan is pushing his luck. He stayed out longest of all of us. Thankfully he reconsidered when he saw the massive stone juggernaut emerge from beneath the streets. It crushed everything in its path, reducing it dust. And it almost managed to trap Xan in some sort of magical energy cage. Luckily for Xan, he made it into the rope trick mere seconds ahead of it, or he'd surely be a goner now.

Now we just need to decide what to do from here. The juggernaut continues to patrol the area near the temple, though it is far enough off at times that we will have some measure of safety in leaving the rope trick for short periods of time. In the meanwhile, we sit here discussing possible strategies. Most of us are set on entering the temple to Mystryl - though we have no more idea what waits for us behind those doors than we do about escaping from the juggernaut.