Letter for Ruby Fearnimane

[Nyssis]

The most recent drift of snow dusting the mountaintops nearest Aquor brings with it a parting message outside the Wyntir Estate. A vivacious red-orange ribbon that keeps a scroll of vellum wrapped taut around one gate bar stands out like an accidental fleck of carmine blemishing a white canvas, much like Ruby does when she occasionally stands vigil at the nearby clearing.

The winds are strong here with the passing storms, and the letter has little hope to remain in place unless retrieved before the next blizzard hits. Thankfully, its recipient was given a warning in advance about the author's intentions.

The outer lip of the paper has 'Ruby' in both Common and Espruar dotted along its length, and the entire letter is scribed in the author's native writing language.

<Ruby,

We parted on abrupt terms, for which I will apologize, but hopefully you remember the last surviving topics. Both those and the ones penned here are a medium of allegory, and I will consider any response regardless of whether or not you reveal anything. I am of hope that writing might help you discover who you were in life and define what made you who you are, for every creature deserves the truth of the past they are denied.

I remember the undead and the rest of the Black Hand attempting to repair the damage that unearthed from religious differences and the instigation of outside influences, but I'm uncertain if that ever came to fruition. This brings Mortannis and his scheming machinations to mind first and foremost, for I believe he may have done more harm than good being a member of both.

I have as much wish to destroy him as I am sure you do, considering the rift he was instigating in the ranks of your coven with his humanitarian pursuits. If not, that is perfectly fine, but I would like wind of him if he ever returns so I could pay him a much needed return favor of aggression. No doubt he thinks himself above his kin as a goodly creature that is a bastion of purity, and he needs to be taught a lesson in the ways of the world.

He overstepped his boundaries as a servant of the gods by daring to flirt with divinity.

Lasvi>

[OnyxTigress]

The letter does not remain lodged on the bar for long, the gate having been kept under watch due to the warning of it appearing there. The letter is delivered to its intended recipient, the servant quickly being sent away before it is opened.

Not long after a new letter is placed in the same spot as the previous one had been, though this time it bears the name 'Lasvi' in common, tied with a blood red ribbon. The words inside are written in common, although the last sentence is written in Espruar, the script less fanciful than in the other letter, and likely bearing a few tiny mistakes, though it is still readable.

Lasvi,

If you wish to know who I was in my previous life, then by all means, come and speak with me about it. I have shed that skin, but it is not a part of me that I have ever forgotten. I do know what I was. My mortal self was weak, and pliable. Like any other mortal. Like yourself.

I can respond to you without revealing the intricacies of certain matter, though I am sure you are likely aware of some due to your time spent with the Dreadmaster. Mortannis is one who was prematurely given the Gift, and has since vanished from the Estate after tensions started to rise. And I will tell you, it is a good thing he has done so. If I had had the opportunity to do so, I would have ended him myself. You yourself say you wish you had done so, but letting him fall to your hands would have been far too quick of an end for him.

If Mortannis ever does return, you can be sure that his end will not be quick, and will not be pleasant, though I could perhaps send you some of his dust, if you wish to give him a proper burial - though that too, is too good for him.

~Ruby

The letter itself seems to have a few spots where Ruby appears to have written a few things, but it is scribbled out and unreadable. A few smudges appear on parts of the paper, likely hinting that the author was somewhat distracted when writing.

[Nyssis]

Another scroll is wrapped around the iron of the estate's barrier, its vellum bound twice as strong to the bars to keep it taut longer with so many storms blowing into the area this season of the year. The ribbon is a coil of muted vanilla that isn't easily distinguished from the rest of the notice at a distance, and just as difficult to discern when set against the frosty Illuskan backdrop of the Spine.

The significance of the color chosen might be easily overlooked by the one it is meant for: vampiress 'Ruby,' whose name adorns the outside seal of the memorandum in both Common and the same lazily penned Espruar as its contents.

<Ruby,

Your use of Espruar is remarkably refined and follows the patterns used by the teu'tel'quessir, though I would be astonished if such a species would assist you with linguistics after death. Serrano exercised understanding of the elven arts from what I saw within the Dreadmaster's court, so could he have been one to instruct you?

Do you know other written languages, such as Draconic? Are you fluent as well as literate? Hope remains that perhaps the script I pen might serve as guidance in discovering the differences between the variations adopted by the subspecies of my people, should you wish to learn more. I am curious of your growth.

On another note, it has come to my attention that the faith of the human god Bhaal is present in the valley, and His faithful have threatened me in the few encounters I have had. Are they allies of you and your cohorts in the Zhentarim? I have a matter that I wish to discuss with you as I cannot find any representative of the clergy that is willing to talk sanely about their order.

I have come to understand that one of their hallowed tomes was lost in the past and wish to see the sacred texts returned to their possessors as is their god-granted right, but I need more information to do so. If you come across anything that is of use in this pursuit, we can speak of it the next time we meet.

I wish not to be your enemy in this, but I would prefer the Dreadmaster not learn of my intentions. No doubt he would viciously oppose my inkling of respect for any faith that is not his own.

Lasvi>

[OnyxTigress]

The letter is taken once again not long after it is placed, though this time it takes a bit longer for a response to given. But a response is indeed given, the note bearing the name 'Lasvi' on it in order to show who it is intended for.

Lasvi,

Your language is one I learned in my youth, though further mastering of it was indeed helped by Serrano, although done with reluctance. I know one other language, the language of the dwarves, another thing taught during my younger years when my parents would trade with those who passed through our home.

I know little of the followers of Bhaal, and even less of what they are trying to accomplish in the valley. As to the question of them being allies or not, that is not something I would tell you, though it amuses me to have you ask such a thing. Though I am willing to speak further to you about this to discover more of what you know. Seek me out, and we can speak in person. As long as you do not raise a hand to me or mine, then I can make sure that you in turn are not harmed.

The Dreadmaster will be kept in the dark about this, that I can at least assure you.

~Ruby

Once again the note appears to be almost hastily done, smudges here and there and a few things are crossed out. It is not any worse than it had been previously, but nor is it any better.