A recent entry from Aglaril's journal:
I believe it is... nearly done. Our purpose for coming to the Sword Coast, the search for Sywyn, the efforts to free him from the vile and horrifying condition he was inflicted with... barring any last minute treachery, it will soon be over.
But I cannot find peace in my heart, in spite of this. Is it because I still fear that the evil nature of the creature (or indeed, creatures) we are dealing with will rise up to overwhelm the orderly, 'reasonable' and manageable qualities? Is it because the nature of the 'solution', the path of diplomacy with creatures who are clearly dangerous and evil, does not sit well with me? Or is it because I do not fully trust most of those who have authority to lead this city of dubious morality and deeply compromised principals?
It is largely on my account, my efforts, my belief that a diplomatic and ultimately strategically sound solution could even be feasable with such creatures, that this path was pursued and in the end agreed upon - though the exact nature of Korlar's proposal to the Dukes was not one that I had in mind. In the end, it likely proved far more persuasive than the approach I had planned; in terms of what it achieved it was brilliant, appealing to the Dukes' desire to order, control, and monitor, as well as potentially providing an economic boon... I fully agree with the need to monitor these creatures for the possibility of future treachery, and would likely support the notion that they should be destroyed if given the slightest reason for the evil abominations they are.
I had only one thing in mind when I began: Sywyn needed to be rescued, at all costs. Vampirism is a dark nightmare and a bane to all living things, but to elves it is even a greater evil, a blasphemy and eternal horror that mocks and counterfeits the gift of long life in the mortal planes followed by the promise of unending bliss in Arvandor. The horror and fear I struggled with when I first made the decision to meet Zorran face to face... is one that I hope to never taste again. I would prefer to look a dragon in the eye and be devoured while quaking in my boots, torn to pieces while wandering the Underdark, or even tortured in body and mind, than to expose myself and others of the People to the risk of vampirism... If it were not for the deadlock of indecision on the part of the others, during which I feared every wasted moment potentially translating into Sywyn becoming more and more lost... I do not think I could have overcome my dread. And if it were not for Korlar's staunch belief and support of my decisions... I do not know if I could have pressed on when all the others were against me.
I would have gladly supported a well-prepared and thought out plan of aggression against the vampires, but hearing of the first foray below drained my confidence in those who led the effort, and convinced me the possibility of diplomacy offered by Zorran had to be considered. If it meant the release, the return and restoration of Sywyn, then it had to be considered. And on a strategic level, diplomacy with perhaps the lessor of many evils (as far as the city is concerned) made at least some sense... even with vampires.
For now.
One other thing weighs on my heart heavily; I am profoundly disheartened by what I saw from some whom I had come to trust. I do not question Aislinn's intelligence, nor Talindra's intent; what is disheartening is ultimately their inability to put faith in me in the end at critical points, unlike Korlar, and their misrepresentation of my actions. In my mind it is no small cost that I pay for this mission's completion.
I have taken part, hopefully, in the rescue of one elf, and I have gained the friendship of another in Korlar. Elenaril proved in the end stalworthy as ever, standing by our side even in spite of apparent misgivings. But while I will never willingly allow harm to come to them as long as I am able, I have lost the friendship of two elves. Perhaps after many decades of winters have gone by, when shorter lived friends and allies are long gone, this will change. Perhaps the test of a hundred more battles against orcs, giants, Mind Flayers, Drow, vampires, and worse will renew the bonds.
I pray to Corellon and all the Seldarine for that day, for us to live to see that day... while our feet tread this strange, wondrous and dangerous world called ...Faerun.