Tonight we discovered that the foreign wizard Vivek, who was welcomed into our land with open arms earlier this season, was, in fact, an enemy in disguise.  Through insidious magics, he was able to control the High Druin, Earl Mus, through manipulation of his mentor, the vodoun Malb.  Under his control, Earl Mus was responsible for the spread of the plague caused by his earthly remains, which have thankfully been transformed by the wizards into healthy oak trees.  The animosity earned by Earl Mus' actions is not so easily made benign, and within the Mages' Tower, two factions square off over what should be done about him.  Now more than ever, we need a unified Mages' Tower to help combat the numerous threats to our land.  The blame for this also belongs to Vivek, but I digress. 

In addition to his manipulation of Earl Mus and the spreading of the plague, and the corresponding division of the Mages' Tower, this Vivek harmed other members of the Court of Light more directly.  Lady Moira and Night Aurelia were mentally tampered with to a small degree, but the biggest victim of these magics was Marquessa Catalyn.  Catalyn was "mind-raped" as to be nigh unrecognizable as herself, and nearly gave her beloved daughter into the hands of Vivek "willingly."  It was only with the last-minute intervention of Earl Mus that the Marquessa snapped out of it, and through a long night of adventure, was able to prevent her daughter's abduction. 

After a trial by the regency in tribunal, wherein several forms of magical evidence were examined by those in the knowing of such things (namely Earl Mus and Lord Dragonsbane, and to a certain extent Duke Lorath), Vivek was placed in a special dungeon to await his fate.  This dungeon was created upon my appointment as sheriff; it was equipped with special magic-proof cells, and manned a small army of magically-trained guards hand-picked by myself.  However, even with all of these safeguards, a group of armed men employing what could only have been a golem in "disguise" broke into the dungeon and, despite the efforts of me and my men, killed the wizard Vivek. 

There was absolutely nothing I could do about it.  I stood beween the giant and Vivek, I tried to shelter him from the giant's blows with my body.  I was ready to give my life to defend the person in my charge so that true justice could be served, but it was all for naught.  And the worst part of it all is that this is not the first time I have failed in my duties as sheriff.  I should have known that there was something seriously wrong with Catalyn; or rather, I did know and did nothing about it.  Last week Malb managed to escape by hexing my deputy en route to the prison.  I didn't discover this until a letter was sent to all of us earlier this week saying it had happened.  I should have gone there to double check that very night, if not taken him myself.  Before that, it was the disappearing peasants abducted by Gylemantis.  Before that, it was HARQ.  Time and again I have failed in my duties, not just as sheriff, but as a knight and as a Companion. 

What frightens me more than anything is the lack of care I have had for these matters.  Since I returned to Warwick from the Kingdom of Blythe, I have been a different person than when I left.  I find it very hard to take anything seriously anymore.  Responsibilities that I would normally dedicate my entire existence to have been reduced to diversions to be attended when I feel like it.  There is something wrong with me, something deep within myself, and I do not know what it is.  I thought that by following my calling as a paladin of the Order of Sacred Michael, I might gain some insight as to the nature of this malaise.  Perhaps in time I will.  I do not think I will be doing anyone any good by remaining in the lands and stumbling through my responsibilites pretending nothing is wrong.  That is why I am leaving Warwick. 

I quest to find myself.  I cannot be certain that I will return to Warwick once my quest is finished, or even if it will ever be finished.  I have relinquished my positions as Sheriff and Queen's Champion, and I hereby return control of Keltian to the thane of Clan Caerna.  I turn the tutlage of both Lady Katerina and Sirrah Adder, both of whom were sponsored by me in the Order of Prince Gawaine, also over to the Queen for reassignment. 

In Loyalty and Light, 
Paladin Aeric Bannier Caerna