Category Archives: Missive

True Sutheroni Treasure

Posted on by
Reply
To the Esteemed Merchant, Marcellus Varonis,

I trust this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. My name is Grimsby Thorne, a humble bard and storyteller, and I write to you on behalf of a group of individuals whose skills and determination have earned my deepest respect.

These adventurers, whom I have the honor of introducing to you, are a formidable and resourceful group who have recently aided me in a matter of great personal importance. Their bravery and cunning are matched only by their integrity, and I believe they possess the qualities necessary to assist you in the delicate matters at hand.

These adventurers seek your esteemed guidance and the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest with Vortigern Shadowblade. I am confident that their intentions are genuine and that they can be trusted to handle sensitive dealings with the utmost discretion.

Marcellus, I have no doubt that you will find these individuals to be worthy of your time and consideration. Their journey has led them through perilous trials, and they have emerged not only victorious but also with a profound respect for the intricate dance of alliances and enmities that shape our great city.

I urge you to grant them an audience and to consider their request with the same fairness and wisdom that you have always demonstrated. Your support in facilitating their meeting with Vortigern could prove beneficial to all parties involved.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I remain, as always, your humble servant and admirer.

With deepest respect and regards,

Grimsby Thorne

An Important Missive to Alexis Laelius

Posted on by
Reply

To the Most Esteemed and Valiant Alexis and the Noble Mavon,

It is with the greatest admiration and reverence that I, Lady Domatilla Alba of House Feronia, pen this humble missive to you, the illustrious paragons of adventure and discovery. Though but sixteen years of age, my heart burns with an unquenchable passion for the storied histories of the Second Age and the mysteries entwined with the old god Drayek. The tales of your unparalleled triumphs and your singular acumen in unearthing the most exquisite and rare artifacts have reached the most secluded chambers of my estate, filling my soul with wonder and delight.

Dearest Alexis, your reputation as a seeker of hidden treasures precedes you, casting a radiant light upon the endeavors of those who aspire to follow in your hallowed footsteps. The renowned Metius Minge, whose name once echoed through the halls of Sutheron as the quintessential adventurer, now pales in comparison to your illustrious feats. Your success in securing the most coveted relics, where others have faltered, is a testament to your unrivaled skill and indomitable spirit.

It is in this spirit of admiration and fervent hope that I humbly beseech you to consider granting me the unparalleled honor of acquiring any new and rare artifacts that you may wish to part with. As a devoted patron of the arts and an ardent collector of antiquities, my heart yearns to behold and cherish the treasures that you, in your boundless wisdom and bravery, have so valiantly procured.

But more than just a mere request for purchase, I write to you with a proposition that stirs the very depths of my soul. The ruins of Northbrook, a district of Sutheron long abandoned and shrouded in mystery, beckon to me with their ancient whispers. It is said that hidden within the labyrinthine sewers lies a ruined crypt, a relic of the old god of Betrayal, Drayek. The secrets it holds could illuminate the shadows of our past and unravel the mysteries of the Second Age.

I implore you, Alexis, to lend your unparalleled expertise and formidable protection to an expedition into Northbrook. Together, we can venture into the heart of these ruins, uncovering clues and treasures that have lain dormant for centuries. The coffers of House Feronia are vast and ever-ready to support the endeavors of such distinguished individuals as yourselves, and I would pay handsomely for the privilege of your guidance and protection.

Should you find it within your noble hearts to entertain my request, I would be forever grateful and shall hold you in the highest esteem, singing your praises to all who will listen. Please, allow me the pleasure of meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter further, and to express in person the depth of my gratitude and admiration.

May the winds of fortune ever guide your path and may your endeavors continue to shine brightly as beacons of inspiration to us all.

With the deepest respect and anticipation,

Lady Domatilla Alba of House Feronia

Permission, But Only If You Say So

Posted on by
Reply

To the most suitable secretary under Nardor-Threp, Head Marshall of the Collegiate of the Esteemed, Keeper of the Keys, Bearer of the Mysterious Inner Flame, and the most previous Patriarch of the old Sutheron Council,

It seems nearly-pretentious to take any time with the matter with which I write you today, but I thought it best.

During the treasure-hunting and fact-finding myself and my companions are currently undertaking we have been exposed to artifacts, mysteries, and strange fellows with strange magics. As one might expect, my very-clever engineering companion has nearly discovered some causal links within the pre-first circles of the greater materials sciences. For the time being my engineer explores in darkness, but it’s clear our understandings of the material sciences could benefit from his insightful nature, bestowed upon him from a relatively generous deity.

Sorry for such a trivial bit of minutia. Any rejoinder correspondence before spring would be appreciated if there is time. If not, I will endeavor to navigate as best as I am able.

Your humble fellow collegian,

Alexis Laelius, Adept, sponsee of Nardor-Threp, Bearer of the Mysterious Inner Flame, Keeper of the Keys, Head Marshall of the Collegiate of the Esteemed, and the Ultimate Patriarch of the old Sutheron Council

The Final Obituary of Telosh Winterborne

Posted on by
Reply

Dear Mr Okken Winterborne,

I write to you as the last, and final, companion of your son, Telosh Winterborne. Perhaps you have been made aware that your son has been fighting the slavers known as the Dark Hand for more than a year now, and unfortunately they were able to get the upper hand in the woods to the Northeast of the Copper Hills Fort.

While Chia-eenee shot the arrow that almost surely killed your son, we were unable to check his body as it was carried away by the giant that haunts these woods. Perhaps you will take some small solace in knowing that your son helped defeat three of the Dark Hand’s most ruthless agents in that same combat, although I regret to inform you that Chia-eenee was able to escape in the confusion of the giant’s arrival.

It was my great pleasure to have discovered Telosh at his lowest; drinking and throwing fights for small-time criminal bets, and to have seen his embrace of the battle against the Dark Hand and of taking up the path of the Peacemakers.

During our short time together, your son fought the Dark Hand with his wits and with his strong-arm. He visited the lost Dwarven city of Dura-Intun, and helped slay the black dragon that dwelled under the mountain. He stole a powerful artifact of the goblin god. He ransomed a Sutheroni noble working for the Dark Hand on more than one occasion. He helped drive the goblin army away from the Copper Hills fort when they were led by Barra, including helping kill a troll. When magic was unleashed in the the Copper Hills mine, he worked diligently to reverse the threat to humanity. He saw the ancient Sword Chaotic, and had the good sense to leave it alone. He confronted the enemies of humanity known as Malor and the Arru-Norroth, and walked away to write about it in his book.

During all of our adventures, Telosh spoke often and fondly of yourself, Dakun, Sven, Gorf, and Dirk.

Unfortunately none of your sons belongings were able to be included with this letter, since the body was carried away by the previously mentioned giant.

My deepest condolences on your loss,
Alexis Laelius of the Crimson Calling

Bora Bloodfist’s Proclaimation!

Posted on by
Reply

Telosh – Sneakthief! The scavenger Grokxex, she knows you, from your drunken desperate stench. You came upon her hunt and stole it.   Grokxex was starving, and you made off with her last meal. She resorted to chewing on berries and leaves that were poison and she perished.  Do you deny this?  Do you take responsibility for this?  …This is good. She-Who-Is-Fierce wishes for such weakness and stupidity to be culled.  When  Grokxex returns to us she will be blessed now, with better eyes and ears for detecting and rooting out those who would try to steal and sneak.  She-Who-Is-Fierce is grateful.

Gustav – The spirits of those first free’d by the peacemakers…you fought a memory of them in a fragment of this world…they know you and only wish they had been cut down by your blade originally, and reborn, instead of trapped by the spirit catcher of these hills. You called them goblins as an insult, and goblins were the minions of the spirit catcher, and so they have sworn a blood oath to She-Who-Is-Fierce that they will not be so easy to defeat once they are full-grown again. Your taunting has made them more savage and even if they were to fall on a spear they will have the power for one last killing blow.

Ethelred –  Seedling of the one who wielded the Fangblade, a warrior of  Kuststad who fought with the ageless wanderer. The beginning of a war that until recently raged ceaselessly in these lands.  Those who were cut down by the Fangblade grew more fierce in their return and thus our tribes have become more powerful, with warriors who know no bounds.  Those who were cut down by the Fangblade are among the greatest of us today!  She-Who-Is-Fierce was most pleased.  You must be a peerless warrior and leader to your people!

Alexis – You are the one who She-Who-Is-Fierce has sent us visions of, and the Lady has led us to you. The dead god wanders the hunting range of She-Who-Is-Fierce and she tires of his presence. He mourns and weeps and is quite unseemly.   She-Who-Is-Fierce worries the dead god will make sheep of our people.  She would allow him to walk back into the world and become reborn as is our way, but he cannot as he is barred by his own making.  She-Who-Is-Fierce wishes a boon of you, now that you have walked the steps of the peacemakers who free’d our people.  With them gone,  She-Who-Is-Fierce has guided me to you in hopes that you will attain the object which holds the last of the dead god’s powers, and break the spell that stops She-Who-Is-Fierce from casting him out.  The Peacemakers were our allies by blood oath, but now they are gone, defeated by the slavers.  The call of war will soon begin again.  Find the Peacemakers weapon, a broken sword mended twice, guarded by many spears, in the place the humans have named for the metal they dig from the earth, and break it for the third time to give She-Who-Is-Fierce free range again before her children must fight.  The battle to come may be the toughest any of our tribe has ever faced, and we would not do it hobbled.

Note left with the bones at the door with the Deepforge rune

Posted on by
Reply

(Drostan Deepforge rune in the upper-left corner)
In the name of the 2nd age alliance between the humans and dwarves, we have chased the stink-lizards from your under-caves. In addition we have recovered the lost axe of Drostan Deepforge. Dura-Intun is your homeland and the various invaders have been greatly weakened. The Dark Hand is our enemy and we wish to work to throw them from this land.

These bones were discovered in the nest of a cavern predator in the cave, and we hope you will know how to lay them to rest.

— Alexis Laelius and companions.