Evendur's Journal

The Journal of Evendur Husteem, Apprentice to the Blackstaff

The 3rd day of Tarkash, Year of the Arch

My Name is Evendur Husteem, and I believe that a keeping record of my life has become necessary. I do not believe that my own accomplishments are worth study. However, given the risks that my fellow apprentices are taking and likely to take in the future, I feel it only appropriate to leave a record for Master Khelben. If nothing else it should make it his location of our corpses easier.

Other then the fact that I was born into House Husteem, the less that is said about my youth the better. As soon as I was of age to do so, I joined the temple of Mystra as a novice. After completing my Novitiate, It was decided that my own talents were best suited into pursuing the Art directly and that I should be placed with a mentor. I was then placed with Khelben Arunsun, also known as the Blackstaff.

Yesterday, the 2nd of Tarkash, I was informed that my fellow apprentice Aelandelia had been arrested by the city watch. I, along with Ahmadar, Ciro and Glim left to investigate, as the idea that any of Master Khelben's apprentices would be a thief was patently ridiculous. After further investigation we discovered that the crime she had been accused of was committed by the thief Demisante. In the process of chasing her we had a confrontation with a group of street thugs she had paid to watch her usual haunts. After thoroughly trouncing them we interrogated their leader, the Halfling Jamis, and discovered that she was staying at the Yawning Portal and that a runner had been sent to warn her. We arrived shortly after she was lowered into Undermountain.

We quickly made the decision to pursue her into Undermountain.

The 5th day of Tarkash, Year of the Arch

On reflecting over our encounter in Undermountain, I cannot help but wonder something. Was Demisnate lying to us when she claimed that she was unaware of who Aelendelia is. Our chase of her started when she framed Aelendelia for theft. She claims that she had no idea that she was linked to Ahmadar. But our effort to exonerate Aelendelia led us chasing Demesante. Hunting Demesante led us into Undermountain. Trailing her in Undermountain led us to Ahmadar's brother. I would say that he had influenced Demisante to commit that specific crime, but he was as unprepared for the encounter as we were. It simply beggars belief.

This could just be a wager between Tymora and Beshaba, but I cannot help but wonder if there is another hand acting in these events. And if a third party set this up, how were they able to predict this particular chain of events?

The 10th day of Tarkash, Year of the Arch

While attending the Spheres celebrations, my sister cornered me and begged me to attend my fathers Dinner. While I had hoped to decline the invitation, I cannot ask Alyra to face father without my support. On the bright side, my father invited myself and my fellow apprentices. With Dran and Ciro there, I have no doubt he will be on his best behavior. And I must admit that a darker part of me is looking forward to his reaction to Glim and Ahmadar.

The 16th day of Tarkash, Year of the Arch

Last night I, along with the rest of Master Arunsun's Household, attended a formal dinner at my families estate. It was even more of a spectacle then I would have imagined, even with my family on what passes for their best behavior. Ahmadar brought his mother, My Aunt Audyna was there and naturally Uncle Orlpar showed up, late as usual. What I could not predict is that Akhalan, Ahmadar's brother, would be there. I think I will treasure my fathers reaction at learning exactly who Ahmadar's mother was for a long time.

Questions come to my mind. Why is my dear Uncle associating with a suspected Slaver from Skullport? Beyond that, how deep are his connections to Skullport? I have never liked him, but this tells me that he might be involved in more then I though.

After talking to Aunt Coremita, I begin to think I have made a mistake in turning my back on my family. My aunt and uncle are both terrible people, and I feel no guilt in trying to get away from them. I can't forgive my father for how he raised me, but I think I am starting to understand him. It was a mistake to walk away from the rest of my family. Aunt Coremita is a hard woman, but I think we have more in common then I would have imagined. And I can't believe that I abandoned Boreas and Ilyda, Alyra and I always shielded each other, but they have no one to protect them. As it stands it would be too easy for Orlpar and Audyna to get their hooks into them. If I won't set foot in the family estate, I can do nothing for them. That along would be reason enough to renew ties with my father.

Beyond that, my family has done horrible things. I doubt I will ever be able to make my father understand why there is more to life then the pursuit of wealth and power for the family. And I know that either Orlpar and Audyna would do even more damage if left to their own devices. The family could be such a force for the good of Waterdeep if we changed how we run our business. And that will never happen if I don't at least try and be that dissenting voice. I probably won't succeed, but I can at least act to mitigate are excesses.

No matter how much I might hate it, I have to be a Husteem in more then name only.