Early in their stay along the Llanos river Alexis sits down next to Ethelred on the same log. Alexis starts talking when Ethelred looks up from his reading materials at him.
“Poor girl. I hope she doesn’t get herself killed before we get back. A lot of potential in our little miss of house Veronia.
“She’d sure like a message.” Alexis says, clearly intent on not going out of his way to make this happen.
To the noble Lady Sophia Alba of House Veronia
I must admit, the passion in your letter brought a warmth to my heart. There is boldness in your request that I can respect—and that I will answer. But first, a word of caution: treasure hunting requires wisdom, a keen mind, and above all, patience.
I look forward to our next expedition, perhaps the crypt of Drayak, perhaps another crypt or lost temple – yet before we speak of that, I would speak to you of my specific approach to treasure hunting. Imagine you stand before a vast ruin, doors thrown wide and the smell of the ancients washing out. Within, there is untold knowledge—or so the legends say. Most eager explorers would dive deep, pressing onward, lured by the call of gold and glory at the dungeon’s heart. This is what I call “deep-delving exploration,” and it is one of the most certain ways to get oneself hopelessly lost—or worse.
Instead, my method of patience and prudence: “wide-path exploration”. Move carefully from chamber to chamber, mapping each as you go, understanding the layout of the place before delving deeper. Each room, each hall, must be understood before venturing further. In this way, you’ll always have an exit path—a path that can be your salvation if something unexpected and unfortunate happens. Wide-path exploration provides knowledge of the surroundings and provides clues of what lies ahead, so as to not be caught unaware.
We both know of promising treasure hunters who have vanished because they did not have this piece of my experience. I have survived many close calls because I held it dear. Long forgotten mysteries and danger await us, but a true treasure hunter knows the value of every footstep and the wisdom of moving wide before moving deep.
If you wish to learn from me on your passionate path to becoming a treasure hunter, consider this your first lesson.
I look forward to more time together, more exploration, and more lessons. To my great sadness, I am besieged with other obligations in our fair city at present. The murder of poor Master Alaric Trevelian is but the tip of the buried colossus.
Yours with great fondness
Alexis Laelius of the Crimson Calling
Adept of the Collegium
Reclaimer of Humanities’ Lost Treasures
Rask asks Alexis, “Alexis, if you are going to continue to nurture our connection with Lady Alba, I would like your permission to establish a security sharing agreement with Ser Olvar. I was thinking I would start by offering a short threat assessment based on our recent investigations.”
Rask has another messy draft document in is hands and the he shows to Alexis.
SER OLVAR:
GIVEN THAT ALEXIS MY LEIGE AND YOUR LIEGE HAVE BEGUN NEGOTIATIONS ON CONTINUED ALLIANCE, I AM GRANTED LEAVE TO MAKE THE FIRST OFXXX SHARE THE FoLLOwING INTELLIGENCE SHARED AS IT RELATES TO THE SECURITY OF OUR POTENTIAL SHARED OPERATIONS.
WE HOPE THAT LADY ALBA WILL ALSO GRANT YOU PERMISSION TO SHARE INTELLIGENCE THAT THAT SHE DEEMS APPROPRIATE WITH US AS WELL.
THALINDRA OF THE COLLEGIUM KILLED ALERIC TREVAYLEN AND TRIED TO FRAME LADY ALBA. THIS WAS DIRECTED BY “THE SPIDER” AN AGENT OF THE DARK HAND.
HOUSE LASCARIS HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY THE DARK HAND.
THALINDRA IS NOT No EVIDENcE oF CONNECT TO HOUSE LASCARIS.
?WARDER AND ALTHORIN ARE LIKELY CORRUPTED BY THE DARK HAND OR OTHER FORCES MOVING AGAINST US ?
DARK HAND AGENTS USE THE SEWERS
GOBLINS & GIANT LIZARDS INHABIT THE SEWERS – THREAT ASMT: HIGH
DWARVES WE ENCOUNTERED MAY BE CONNECTED TO MOUNT SUTHERON
HALFLING ?
MOTIVE: SEEKS ANCIENT ITEMS OF POWER
USES POISON, MURDER, EVIL MAGIC, NON-HUMAN ALLIES
KNOWN OPERATIVES: THE SPIDER, THE SNAKE, THRAAN LASCARIS, SHYEENI, VARISIMUS, BANDESING, BRIN
KNOWN ALLIES: VORTIGERN SHADOWBLADE, THALINDRA
MOTIVE – SEEKS ANCIENT ITEMS. GLORY. ALLIED DARK HAND.
KNOWN MEMBERS: LORIANNA LASCARI, THRAAN LASCARI
MOTIVE UNKNOWN. COLLEGIUM MEMBER. WILLING TO USE POISON
END REPORT.
IF YOUR LIEGE ALOW WE WELCOME ANY INFO YOU HAVE ON THESE TOPICS OR oTHERS THAT YOU DEEM oF IMPORT TO MUTUAL INTEREST. MAPs? BoOOKs W INFO?
RF – THE CRIMESON CAULING
Rask muses as he looks at his work, “Why do you think they chose to frame Lady Alba? And who chose? Was it Thalindra or The Spider?”
To the Honorable Alexis and the Crimson Calling,
I received your missive with considerable interest, and I must admit, the developments regarding House Veronia and the unfortunate death of Master Alaric Trevelian have certainly given me pause. The implications of such a connection are indeed troubling, and I appreciate your diligence in keeping me informed of such matters.
However, while I understand the gravity of these political intrigues and the machinations within the Collegium, I must be forthright in my own priorities. You ask whether I have chosen to pursue the path of the warrior or the Collegium, and yet I feel this question overlooks the path that I have already made abundantly clear: my heart and my ambitions lie in the unearthing of ancient knowledge, the pursuit of mysteries long forgotten. The archaeological site, with all its secrets, remains my primary focus.
It is not the clashing of swords or the weaving of spells that drives me, but rather the promise of discovery—the thrill of uncovering the past and reshaping the present with its revelations. This is where I require your talents. Alexis, you and the Crimson Calling possess the skill, the courage, and the expertise to navigate the dangers that linger beneath the surface. What I want is your cooperation, your guidance, and your protection as we return to the site, which I believe holds the key to knowledge far more significant than petty politics or personal rivalries.
The opportunity awaiting us beneath those ruins is far more valuable than courtly intrigues or even the whims of the Collegium. There are truths buried there that could alter the course of history, and that is the path I have chosen—one of discovery, enlightenment, and a legacy that transcends the fleeting ambitions of men and mages alike.
You offer to teach, and I appreciate your generous spirit. But what I desire is not instruction in arms or arcane arts. What I seek is partnership—your expertise as adventurers, your knowledge of hidden dangers, and your ability to see this endeavor through to its glorious conclusion.
Let us return to what is important. If we can unveil the secrets hidden at the site, we will stand on the precipice of something truly great. Join me, Alexis, and the Crimson Calling, and together we will leave a mark on this world far beyond the concerns of politics and murder investigations.
I eagerly await your decision, though I trust you will see the wisdom in returning to the task that matters most.
Yours in anticipation of great things,
Lady Sophia Alba
Explorer of the Unknown
As for the scroll of Arcane
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