Letter for Esmond Aurelianus

[Nyssis]

A scroll of vellum, bound by twelve gyres of a lavender ribbon, is left in the Helmite temple-barracks of the capitol for Esmond's retrieval at a later time. His first name is written plainly in Common on the outside lip, but the Espruar equivalent is the ar'tel'quessir dialect of a title meaning, 'he whom honor and duty defines.' The translation might be lost on the recipient.

The contents of the missive are penned in the author's native language. While the letter itself is curt, it gradually becomes more practiced and thoughtfully scribed the further down the page her text travels.

<Esmond,

I have spoken with ex-Elite Magus Samak Nerinide and he has proven amenable to obeying the laws of the valley and the divine, god-granted right bestowed upon you and your chapter as the rightful bastion of order. I beg that you consider the possible lift of his ban with both mind, for his willingness to obey, and with heart, for as ignorant as he is of the gods' servants he is still a man capable of atoning for his mistakes.

You have my sincerest gratitude and I hope to discuss the details of this at your earliest convenience.

Lasvi>

[Nyssis]

Another bound memorandum is left in the castrum district temple of Helm for the Sentinel's procurement, once again defined as his with Esmond's name in Common and the Espruar title equivalent on the outer surface.

<Esmond,

My searching through your faith's temple-barracks archives has resulted in the discovery of innumerable useful codices, for which I cannot begin to express my gratitude, but I have found the arcanabula of a wizard here surprisingly enough. Though quite the diamond in the rough, I cannot discern the meaning behind an arcanist's penned words.

I request your permission to remove this tome from the archives so I could have it transcribed by ex-Elite Magus Samak Nerinide, and I will return it to the Lord Watcher's servants after getting what I need.

Lasvi>

[Vaelek]

Folded vellum is offered to the avariel at the first steps of the elevated city, the return of correspondence drawn with the simplicity and ease-of-appearance that suggest it is one of many written with the practiced scratch of quill.

The seal of the church of Helm is stamped on the curve of parchment.

Lasvi of Norreitryn,

I am pleased that you have found information pertaining to your unique interest in this affair. It is my hope that all such knowledge gleamed is used for the betterment of citizen and church, as considerable trust has been placed in the righteousness of your cause.

Unfortunately, I must refuse your request of loan. Documents of this description I do not allow outside the borders of temple save for transportation to a new archive. Should your interest remain despite this, you have the offer of my services in attempting to decipher your discovered arcane formula. I am well-versed and practiced in many archaic theories and keep an estimable understanding of spell and the schools for purposes of joint operations with the Hands.

I will remain available as is possible for such at your convenience.



In service,
SENTINEL ESMOND AURELIANUS
CHURCH OF HELM

[Nyssis]

Lasvi's heart is still racing when she pens a reply to Esmond, so the scrawled Espruar drifts across the page in a crooked way that's unbecoming of her. Her punctuation is also done with more force than is necessary, causing much of the ink to bleed across the vellum, but the contents make no mention of her distress.

It is left in the care of the temple as per the norm until he has the time to retrieve it. This scroll is bound tighter than usual.

<Esmond,

As you wish. I will not complicate the matter or try to dissuade you from your duties because I respect your being a faithful of the gods.

I am presently busy, but I would like to meet with you in the archives as soon as I have the moment to discuss the tome and divulge its cryptic details. I will send you a magickal message from outside capitol territory when pressing matters are taken care of, that it might give you ample time to make your way there.

The book in question is one Arcane Compendium which was scribed circa 1256 Dale-Reckoning by an arcanist from Cormyr. I have had it set it aside in the temple-barracks preemptively, in case you wish to scour over the tome in the time until our colloquy. Corellon protect you.

Lasvi>

[Nyssis]

A few days after the scheduled reading in the Helmite temple-barracks archives, Esmond Aurelianus receives another letter from the avariel. This message is thankfully penned with more composure than the last one, so its ink flows across the parchment with a practiced hand.

<Esmond,

I appreciate all that you have done on my behalf, both in your kindness in delivering the Elfsbane and in your forgiveness of my companions. While not everything was made clear due to the incomplete nature of the book he transcribed, the ex-Elite Magus Nerinide's review of the arcanabula has revealed less than desirable information.

My work is never done, it seems, and I regret already owing so much with little means to repay. It is with a heavy heart that I request your presence in the archives at your earliest convenience, that I might have your expertise at hand as I scour materials that pertain to a similar topic. Corellon protect you.

Lasvi>

[Nyssis]

A sheet of vellum, folded into a quaint little parcel and secured on all sides with a generous stretch of washed-out citrine ribbon, is delivered to the Helmite temple-barracks of the castrum for Esmond Aurelianus. Although the letter's appearance differs greatly from its predecessors, the Espruar penned within and without are genuinely the author's.

Unfolding the origami 'parcel' reveals that it was done so to keep a single white pawn from a cheap set of chess pieces protected on the interior. Its ivory paint has weathered and been gradually chipped away over time, and it radiates no magical aura of any sort. Any augury cast on the pawn would pin the object as belonging to Samak Nerinide.

The letter appears to be just as quizzical as the trinket, or is it?

<It is difficult to forgive, but it is nearly impossible to forget. We need to talk with the ex-Elite Magus before it transpires.>