To Osclow Wiltenholm, from Maia

[Zoberraz]

A missive reaches Osclow at his home.

"Hello Osclow.

Perhaps you've heard: a group of elves have come - from Evermeet, I think - investigating after an attack made on one of their Swan Ships that was ferrying elven artifacts back to Evermeet. They've been asking around for help dealing with the privateers responsible, and to retrieve their lost treasures and the sailors that were abducted.

As I understand it, a group involving the elf wizard Eirimil became involved and found a way to track down the pirates to some hideout. There was a conflict, they rescued the majority of the sailors too... but the pirates spirited themselves away along with the relics and the captain of the elven ship.

Here's what I've been thinking:

• The pirates obviously have magical help. Either the mastermind behind this employed the services of mages, or that the mastermind is a person of magical talents himself.
• The pirates knew about an elven Swan Ship heading to Evermeet while loaded with a load of elven treasures. That's an impressive bit of intelligence there. Or powerful divinational ability.
• I can't help but wonder if the Umberleans might be involved in this in some fashion. I mean, if anyone in Sundren would be aware of what is transpiring at sea, or what is going on with privateers dealing with Sundren's treacherous coast - odds are they could know something.
• Another point is how said adversary is going to use what he found. Maybe he was after the relics themselves hoping to sell them, or that he wanted one in particular. Or that his interest was actually more in the elf captain.
  • The elven relics could've been obtained out of greed. There could be a potential buyer out there. I was wondering if there was a way to determine whom that could be, or who would have been interested - like, the merchant's law of 'supply and demand'. Such an heist could've been costly so it would need to be lucratively worth it.
  • The elven treasures could've been sought after... but then the question would be: by who? Why? Or would the thing of the most value actually be the Swan Ship itself? Hold on-
  • The Elf captain could arguably be the most valuable element the privateers have in their clutches. Said captain could either have knowledge of 'keywords' required to activate certain items... or he could be kept captive and interrogated for his knowledge of how to circumvent Evermeet's magical defenses.

I'm also a bit worried for the elven newcomers. They come, looking fairly elvish and courtly, obviously being people of means... and I'm concerned that they might draw trouble of another kind than the one they seek. I already heard from Xaayne there was trouble with a vampire at some point.

If you want to seek them out, I know there is another Solonoran Ranger named Teor that's around the Viridale and he's visited the Glade a couple of times. An lady bard from House Ahmaquissar lingers around Miraku's Drunken Dragon inn. Along with some other names of two other sun elf Houses. I understand they look up to a Priestess of Corellon whom is their leader apparent.

You have a way of dealing with information I don't. Do you think you can look into this with me, please?

~ Maia"

[Silas North]

*The raven familiar Heska finds its way to Maia's shoulder after a few days. Though normally requiring a plethora of soft cooing sounds and seed cracker bribery to be expected to perform anything even remotely resembling her duty, the long travel has left her tired and willing to relinquish the message tied to her just so she can finally head back home.*

Dear Maia,

I cannot help but recall my good friend Etria laughing, quite hysterically, in my face when I guessed the average speed of an Evermeet Swan Ship being roughly 7 to 9 knots. Add that element to the natural paranoia and anti-magical capability of Moonflower's subjects and you have an equation that cannot be solved by divination in my opinion.

No, my dear leafstrider, I believe this was indeed an inside job. And, given how difficult it would be to get the stolen goods through the checkpoint and how suicidal it would be to go through Sundren's coast without intimate knowledge of such, I believe it is safe to claim the one pulling the strings is a local. The Evermeet scouts' noses pointing in this land's direction only adds to the likeliness of such as well.

The information network of a family man is far less impressive than the man I once was, but I shall assist you however I can. My first suggestion however is a town where my face is not exactly welcome; Aquor. I believe you know what group I am suggesting as your first suspect. Think about it: talent with teleportation, interest in Evermeet goods, and very limited scruples. If I happen to discover anything new or interesting, I shall let you know either in person or the lazy bird that HOPEFULLY managed to deliver this to you.

Forever a handsome genius,
Osclow

P.S. I apologize for the small writing. I had to get this on the back of a bird after all.

[Zoberraz]

A return letter eventually makes it back to Osclow.

"Hello!

Don't worry. I got the letter! I also got Heska crackers and intimated via birdspeak that successful deliveries meant more goodies, foot massages and petting. Proper motivation can work wonders, you know?

I'm a bit stumped with Aquor because I'm a bit of at a loss on how to investigate the Thayans without being turned into a puddle of sizzling fat. I mean, a single one of them in the Viridale is pretty trivial, but an manor-full of them? That makes me trivial.

Not a prospect I enjoy. I'm too cute to be trivial!

Oh, also Peridan says 'Hi' and wants to know how you, the twins and Annie have been doing (well, he asked only about the twins, but I assume it's actually a package deal).

Also, I went to the necropolis recently, and had tons of fun toying around with what I think was a myrkulite priestess. Half-elf, red-haired, over-perfumed, a bit drunk, totally surrounded with undead. I took out her horde one by one, then chipped at her defense, taunted her a bit, poked at her with the adamantium blade Etria made me and saw her force down tons of healing potions. It was great fun!

I was trying to get her to say "please leave me alone", but she wasn't too good at the magic word part. Then Peridan came over, and broke the stalemate while looking quite heroic! Then, we left, reached an inn and... the rest is a s-e-c-r-e-t!

Take care!

~ Maia"

[Silas North]

*Heska returns once more, cawing from a branch and seemingly unwilling to give over her next note without some of the pampering she was promised.*

Believe it or not, the defenses of the enclave are not entirely impenetrable. Do not forget that I managed to get past them on two occassions, though that only brought increased security in the end. I suppose I owe an apology for that. If you wish to proceed, let me know. If you wish to wait til other potential evidence rears its head, so be it. Your eyes and mind are the only thing I trust in this matter.

On a lighter note, and a good answer to Peridan, things are going quite well for my girls. Even I was surprised at how quickly Esmee and Tia adapted to their home. Although I believe Tia is still getting used to the idea of calling Annie 'mom', the two get along very well and the twins certainly have no problem calling her 'big sis'. Esmee loves it here, but her little experiments cause an occasional problem. You probably recall that faint sulfur-like smell in the grove a few weeks ago. That was Esmee, though I assure you that it was perfectly harmless.

As for myself, 'it' is spreading, now reaching along my back, sides, and shoulders. Despite this however, I have actually made progress. I no longer have nightmares nor the occasional overly-violent urges. Unfortunately, I still cannot touch certain divine objects without an ill reaction. Esmee has begun looking into a form of alchemical study that may finally free me. Between these studies, the support of my loved ones, and a little luck from the gods, I am quite confident I'll be truly human once again before I am old, gray, and shouting obscenities at my daughters' suitors.

Be safe out there my dear Leafstrider, and you tell Peridan to do the same. Tell that one-eyed fool to visit more often too. The twins miss him. Also, I would like to apologize in advance if you find me lost in the woods again.

Forever a horrible woodsman,
Osclow

P.S. Needless to say, please burn this message A.S.A.P.