A short letter to Priestess Fortuna of the temple to Waukeen

[Dark presence]

Dear High Priestess Fortuna,

I write this to inform you of a particular fool who, in my opinion, should be denied any further services from Waukeen's temple. He can be identified as Norian, a mage by dress and ability, and one with a poor attitude in general.

This man repeatedly lied to persons present at the trading post about the worth of my potions, claiming each time that they are watered down. Furthermore, he also went on to speak ill of Waukeen publicly, claiming the Lady supports thievery and mugging. In short the man made it clear he is no friend of the Merchantfriend or her clergy, or her teachings.

While it is your decision, Lady Fortuna, I recommend that all of his assets in the temple's possession be frozen, that any further services from our temple be denied to him, and that he suffer the further curse of his name and description being given out to merchants who wish to stay in Waukeen's favor so that they do not do business with such a degenerate. He should learn fast the pains of such blasphemy!

I'm not sure how you deal with such things here. But in Amn, this would be standard for such an idiotic fool. They would either become a coinless pauper, living life as they wish to--without Waukeen's presence in their lives--or earn forgiveness from Waukeen with a sizeable donation.


Sincerly,
Catalina de la Cruz, priestess of Waukeen

[Leaving Hope]

(( Is this a public letter? If so, Norian will respond. If not, it should not be in a public forum ))

[Peridan]

(( it isn't. There's a recipient. Read the forum rules))

[Leaving Hope]

(( This is not in response to the above, but rather a separate letter stemming from the same incident ))

* In a delicate hand, Norian composes a letter in deep, dark ink with flecks of shimmering gold. His sweeping script is inked on bleached parchment, and it is clear the author took considerable care, and expense, to create the document. The letter is delivered to the Bank of Waukeen by a wide smiling young boy with two missing teeth, who if asked would eagerly volunteer the magus tipped him well for his services. *

Ever wise and weathly High Priestess Fortuna, Chosen Teller of Waukeen and Mistress of Commerce, resident of Sundren:

Typically, I would not presume to occupy your time with such a distraction, for I know the demands of your position are great indeed; I regret to trouble you with another, for the trade and commerce and finances of Sundren are ever paramount, yet I feel bothered--nay, obligated--to recount a difficult encounter that transpired just today. I pray you bless me with your council.

There is one, zealous in her faith but very young in life experience, who commonly offers her wares in the Exigo camp just outside the city gates. I have watched in my time there, as my failing legs betray me more often than not, both curious of her motives and somewhat saddened by her lonely demeanor. The denizens pass her by, giving not one glance to her potions, and I puzzle over what could possibly compel this pretty young child to stand day in and day out in the rain while shoppers peruse elsewhere.

I must confess my curiousity got the better of me, for even when it rained the woman remained. I was sullen for her! To witness her there, the rain shower pulling dark strands down a very lovely face, with droplets falling like tears. It was as though she had no where to go, or perhaps felt obligated to remain at station. I could not help but inquire of her, my intention simply to distract from the cold downpour with discourse. It took some doing, for the girl was neither forthcoming or eager for conversation, but in time she expressed her purpose, her faith in Waukeen.

What faith she must have, I thought at first.

I am inquisitive, Lady of Riches. Those who know me recognize I am no stranger to books, lectures, or questions. I yearn for truths, and I long for details. I seek to understand what compels people, and it was no different for this young merchant. What would drive this woman to sell her wares in the rain, day in and day out, I asked myself. Is her faith so deep that the even the elements will not disuade her?

Despite my initiative, she was reluctant. Perhaps the weather had afflicted her so; perhaps at heart she is anti-social; perhaps my poor faculties offended her fragile sensibilities. But I persisted because I did not want her to be alone; rather, I wanted to trade some of my words with some of hers.

Alas, it was not a fair trade, for her responses were curt and terse and she paid me little heed.

I hoped that an inquiry into her faith might prompt her to become more chatty. Because she identified herself as a Priestess of Hers, I requested more information about Waukeen's tenets. She was surprisingly poorly informed in the ways of the Goddess of Coins, as she could only tell me she stood for "trade." Yes, trade--but there is so much more to Waukeen! I hoped for more, I longed to understand more, but it was not to be.

So instead, I posed her a number of hypothetical questions. I said, "If a mugger were to steal a peasant's meal, sell it to their fence, and profit a coin later spent on wares that promoted several steps of trade, would Waukeen approve?" You see, High Priestess, I was questioning her stance not just on trade, but on the circumstances around it, for I would expect one of Her merchants to at the very least have an opinion on such a matter. She did not. I questioned her about the tragedy of prostitution; would Waukeen approve of those sad women who sell themselves. They gather coin for their dark deeds, they trade themselves, but at what cost--oh, at what cost?

My questions were not easy, nor were they pleasant. Yet I hope I encouraged this young merchant to delve into who Waukeen is. Faith is much more than wearing a golden neckless in likeness of the Merchantfriend, and I expect one of your priestesses to know as much.

I will continue to challenge her, High Priestess. It is not out of disrespect, but rather a desire to see her grow to be much more than she is today. She should not be threatening to bankrupt someone who challenges her faith. She should not be riled by an old soul who simply wants to learn more of Waukeen.

Perhaps you will trade me a discussion of your faith for mine, instead.

Respectfully,
Norian Rift

[rustediron]

((Nice, but sorta OOC in my opinion Not that it's any of my business. But again, nice letter ))