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An Unsent Letter to Maeve MacCraig I

My Dearest Mother,

You will likely never read this letter, it’s far too dangerous to send and risks spoiling the hard work I’ve put in to the task I was sent here for. This shall as merely an accounting of my tale should one day it need be told, and writing to you helps with the feelings of homesickness deep within me. My journey thus far has been trying to say the least and no amount of training could have prepared me for what awaited me in the valley. From shambling corpses, lazerine cultists, even the fae have made an appearance since my arrival. Had I been aware before I might have abandoned this plan. That said the longer I spend the more convinced I become that this is the right course of action. The city is full of people sympathetic to our plight, powerful people with the means and the intent to help. In fact I’ve sworn myself to a Hestrali merchant house the Giotolli’s who have dedicated resources to helping Duns in need. After hearing all they do for my fellow countrymen I felt good in taking a vow to help them to further their goals. Besides among the lot of them I’ve found companions that east the ache in my chest being so far away from home in many ways they remind me of my siblings. One of them, a privateer of sorts reminds me of Finn, boisterous and charming. It’s no surprise that a man that reminds me of my favorite brother would quickly become a friend. I count myself among good company here and one can never have too many friends in this cursed place.

Other alliances are in the works, but I dare not even write down the details. I’ve set things in motion that I am unsure about, that might change the way people look at me—that might change the way you look at me. I hope that people will be able to look past the choice I’ve made and see that I did it for the homeland. My conscious is clear and I’ve no regrets, but only time can tell if that will continue to be the case. I swear that regardless of the outcome my first duty will be to the Motherland.

I also find myself worried about Reese, I know that he’s sworn to take Ros Droma from me by any means necessary but that currently involves a treacherous journey into very unsafe territory. As much as I believe in the core of my being that I am the rightful wielder of the family legacy and will gladly defend my right to carry it—I wish no harm to come to my brother as misguided as he is. Mayhaps I’ll be able to get him to see reason, show him the progress I’ve already made. My short time in Stragosa has taught me many things, foremost among them that we are not alone. By keeping our people isolated the Rennet family has fostered the belief that we are indeed isolated. Seeing all the people here who wish to stand against their tyranny further solidifies my conviction that we cannot win this war alone.

(scribbled out) Mother I wonder were you as nervous as I am now before you married father. Fiona is a fine lass and a merging of Clans MacCraig and MacLaren is strategically sound. But I never imagined that I’d be marrying for anything less than true love, and the fact of the matter is that I so not love her. She will make a fine wife and an amazing mother, but my heart yearns for more. A fire that she unfortunately does not stoke. At this point I fear the repercussions of going back on my arrangement more than I loathe the idea of a loveless marriage. So I shall suffer in silence. (end scribbles)

May God keep you in good health
Your son
Niall

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Forest of Spires

(Rogalian language, crisp block letters)

Professor Kurz,

I hope this missive finds you and your family in good health. When we spoke of there being more to accomplish with numbers, parchment and wood than just digging entrenchments and building catapults, I had only the faintest inkling of where to begin. My service to Graf Trakt has brought me now to the home of the Miracle itself:

Stragosa is a beautiful city springing up from old ruins. We shall build a forest of spires on this land. The city may never appreciate the training you provided me at the College, but they will see our pride in every clerestory, arch, buttress and finial.

My current project, a monastery, has demanded its toll on my nerves already. The men were restive during framing, unable to appreciate idle moments. How I miss soldiers, who knew the value of a timely nap. Just as you taught us, the tallest structures cannot be built without proper timing- each floor must be measured, cut, erected, re-measured and reinforced before another can surpass it. Three times I had to call the foremen to a halt while such measurements were taken and compared to the plans! I truly understand now how doing otherwise risks the entire enterprise. This building is only a beginning of course, but I invite you to one day see the work you have inspired.

Truly, the future of mankind will be purchased, designed and built. I am just thankful that my hands can be a part of that glorious tomorrow.

Cras autem aedificii,

– Marcellus

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A letter scented with perfume. It is sealed with blue wax imprinted with the visage of a marlin.

Translated from Hestron

To my beloved,

Looking upon the untamed forests and rolling hills of Stragosa, my heart feels nothing but your absence. Though it is impossible that we may be together, I know you are the only one for me. My only wish is for your lips to touch mine if only for one instant, to relieve me from the pain of a world in which you are apart from me. The sun may set, the seasons may change, but know that my love for you will never fade.

Before you, my life was without meaning, but it is you I live for now. Every achievement, every endeavor, every obstacle overcome is yours, for it is my love that pushes me to thrive where others may have faltered. You give me such strength that I feel I can move mountains. You give me such guile that I feel I can find profit in every corner of the world. You are the divinity that all humans seek. I wish to worship every inch of you with whispered prayers to God for having the benevolence to create you.

It is my wish that you should meet me at Fenerstat. I will wait as long as possible for you on Ramone’s vessel. I know you know it well. I would like to shower you in all the affections that you deserve in a year in but what few nights we might spend together.

Yours forever and always
Gio

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To: Sir Percival, Knight Master of the Order of the White Lions Sping 604

March 14th Lion Age 604

To: Sir Percival, Knight Master of the Order of the White Lions

From: Sir Atrieus, Knight Commander of the Order of the White Lions, penned by Sir Renatus, Knight Errant of the Most Vigilant Order of Knights Templar and Father Superior of the Mithrihim Covenant

Greetings, Knight Master, may the blessing of God and Benalus be upon you.

I write to you on this day (insert date) to provide an update upon the state of affairs in the city and the valley. A Kaurilite stronghold, with an estimated force disposition of one thousand soldiers, has been identified in the area, in addition to other forces that include one or more armies of undead.

It is has been deemed to be in the best interest of Stragosa, the Church of Benalus, and the Throne that these threats be removed with all due speed. With sufficient troops, we can have the stronghold cleansed and all their troops slain by the end of 604.

It is to this end that I do submit a request for sufficient troops and supplies to be directed towards Stragosa Valley. There are several within our Order, the Boywer Hadrianus (From oath of Overwatch) and Stablemaster Iacomus (From oath of Cavalier) in particular, that I would call upon to aid me in this task. This is in addition to asking for your own support in seeing to the Valor of some of these units.

I am looking for a force sufficient enough to take the vanguard, with the support of troops from Silbran as well as Stragosa. I plan to join the field with them, and see to the command of these forces.

By the blessing of God, will these troops be available for deployment so that we may end this threat to Stragosa and the Throne in the names of Benalus, the Saints, and the Archangels.

God’s light be upon you, Knight Master.

Signed,
Sir Aretaeus
(Signet Seal)
Sir Renatus
(Signet Seal)

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Message sent by Imperial Post addresed to Facio Socrdato

Brother,

It is with a heart full of sorrow that I must inform you that father has died valiantly in the city of Stragosa. I am sending your son with an escort of soldiers back to Segrati with father’s body.

To mend relations with the local rulership, I have volunteered to lead a defense against a horde of heretics that has been allowed to fester.

I will send more detailed reports of my force strengths and current events when able. I await your orders.

Harvesting the past, we flourish.

Dama Isabella Scordato, Knight Commander of the Order of the Seekers

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By Raven: Aretaeus to White Lions of Lethia Spring 604

White Lions of LethiaF
Brothers,
We are in need of aid. Stragosa and several Noble families have pledged support for a crusade against the entrenched Kuarlites in our area. Estimated at over 1000, and with a fortification as well as a so called ‘holy site’. As well there are forces of Lazerines, Orcs and Rimelanders. I need troops levied by the White Lions to join my banner in this. I wish to call upon our resources, Boywer Hadrianus (From oath of Overwatch), Stablemaster Iacomus (From oath of Cavalier), Forgemaster Sethlan, to aid me in this, Benalus’ service. Stragosa is giving what supplies it can but additional are needed.

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Letter to Inquisitor Cordatus

Inquisitor Cordatus,

I am glad for your arrival in Stragosa, and the solemn caution you gave to us at convocation last forum. Turning away from our humanity is the greatest peril of existence, and we must ever be vigilant of this risk for both ourselves and our neighbors.

We did not have a chance to speak, but I wanted to introduce myself to you. I am called by many names, but I am a man called to Stragosa in the service of God and The Throne. In this season, I have been charged with the duty as Stragosa’s Nightwarden, to bring redemption to the souls tormented for so long in Malefic form.

I believe I had a good rapport with your predecessor Inquisitor Caelius. He called upon myself and my Templar bretheren when he was in need, I provided witness to him regularly, and we ventured together deep beneath the city to bring God’s light to pierce the shadows of a Lazarine in the catacombs.

One matter he and I discussed before his departure was a Bestiary discovered in the ruins of the city by archaeologists. The Sepharihim took possession of it to inspect it for heretical content, but never returned it to the Nuranihim after doing so. Inquisitor Caelius had indicated to me that he thought it had been determined untainted, and as such could be returned to my order to help us understand and resolve the Malefic in this city.

The other matter I must broach with you is that of The Miracle, and the five artifacts tied to it. Last forum Sir Connor observed I had a document I collected detailing the theories of a visiting Professor. He urged me to bring it to you at once, and in that conversation stated you had taken possession of Connor’s Chalice, the Doll possessed by Father Cosimo, and likely the Skull in possession of Inquisitor Caelius. I would like to arrange to surrender this document, and seek Atonement if this thing I have is heretical.

However, I have come to the understanding that The Miracle and the five objects are tied to the powerful Malefic being that has appeared repeatedly in Stragosa and its Forum. There are many names for her, which I shall not speak or write. There are several sacred rituals of my covenant that can help discover the origin of this Malefic, and can be used in her resolution, but these rites require objects important to the life of that Malefic. To that end, I am requesting access to those objects for these purposes.

Further, I would be grateful if the Inquisition could share with me any documents elucidating the nature of the Malefic, her history as a Witch King, what is known about the nature of the world as it pertains to these things, or other knowledge that is not for general consumption but could be useful in putting this spirit to rest and ending the taint that hangs over this city.

Sincerely,

Knight Protector Ansel Silvanus Rundelhaus, Ever Vigilant Order of Templars, Father Superior of the Nuranihim Covenant, Nightwarden of Stragosa

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Declaration of

Posted around the forum is a parchment that reads:

“With Baroness Drake as my witness, I, Brother Aretaeus of the White Lion shall destroy the stronghold of Kuarlites to the southeast of the forum by the start of winter.

Signed;
Baroness Evelyn Drake
A”

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Sahirim: A View from Within

Praedium Record
Translation from memory, source redacted.

Come, sister. A decision to seek enlightenment is the selfsame first step to achieving it. Your heart has learned that you wish this for yourself, and your mind carried you here. The heart is like the rushing of a river, the mind, the rudder of your skiff. Enlightenment is the culmination and quietus to a lifelong journey toward a perfect peace between every facet of your soul. We here at the Temple walk the road to achieving this glorious end in all events of our daily lives. It is not an easy journey, and there will be much pain. Humans, however, can achieve anything that they wish; that is what separates them from animals. Humans can overcome any obstacle because they have the power to silence their fear and their instinct and override them, taking a road that all of their senses tell them not to. For example, drink this. …Good. It is a poison to kill animals.

Shh, now! Do not panic! Your lungs and chest are now full of water. Your throat has collapsed to forbid expulsion. If you do not perform properly, you will drown. Do you understand? I said, do you understand? Good. Now, stop struggling. Stop struggling and breathe the water… Do not refuse me. Relax. Calm yourself. Inhale, feel your reflex to choke, and ignore it. Let it fill your lung, and gently push back out, and up your throat. Good…You lived because you were able to overcome the insanity of your weak inner beast.

What we are doing here does not concern animals who cannot master themselves. If we are ever to be more than we are, we must cease to be what we were. The Temple of Water is a place where humans can learn to be something more. We walk the diamond path toward an enlightenment that will elevate us above the common human condition to something farther, higher, more. Make no mistake. We are here to make a god. Until that time we are cautiously neutral. Why do I tell so much to an uninitiated aspirant such as yourself? Do not worry over that. Tell me, girl. Do you have the spiritual fortitude to endure such a quest? Do you have the breadth of mental acuity it will take to reshape the very perspective of your mind’s eye? We are what we think. All that we are arises from our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. Can you embrace this fundamental truth or can you not? Decide now whether you be beast or man. … Go home then.

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Sahirim: Contact with the Throne

Praedium Archive
Statement of Gioquomo Piegatore, shipwright, La Sorella. Currently under Extraordinary Censure at Arx Fax.

We do a lot of trade here with the temple. Strange kind, them. Even the novices that they send down to buy the sheep and the flatware from time to time seem so peaceful and enlightened. Every once in a while one of the masters comes down and talks to all the farmers and the shopkeepers in the town market. They tell us the principles that we should live by to make our lives important and meaningful. Everyone is part of a circle, they say, and every one of us has a place on it. I know a lot of people’d like to believe that, seeing as how things are going in these times. But the monks of the Water Temple are good to us; they steady the waters during a storm if people are getting hurt, and they make sure that the fishermen can keep their catch. That’s all we need, really. I know they can do more, but I know it’s all we need. I suppose in a lot of ways, we’ve all become dependent on the Temple. We don’t mind though. They’re a lot more easy going than the King.

My niece tried to join them, actually. She’s such a sweet girl, always wanting to help everyone. She loved to listen to the speeches that the monks would give in the market about the Truth and the ways which a man could become better, more than he was. She wanted to live out those principles, be more than she was so she could do more for others. Such a sweet girl. She talked to the Novices and asked how she could be like them, and they sent her to the monastery to speak to one of the masters. I don’t know what they said or did. I don’t know what went on up on the hill, that day. But she came home a wreck, said she didn’t understand, would never understand, didn’t want to understand the Truths of the world. She took her life that summer, bless her. Such a sweet girl.

Even so, I don’t blame the Temple for that. That was her choice, and the monastery has always been good to us. Everyone and every thing is part of a circle, they say.