Letter to Elric Gallows, Esquire

[Leaving Hope]

* Abbot Orlan, of the Church of Helm, composes a letter to Elric after learning the man has agreed to represent Kemnebi. He writes his letter in a fine hand, pausing occasionally to hold his elbow and chuckle. *

To Mister Elric Gallows, Diplomat for Arcanus Liberus, Esq.,

I have spent my entire life serving Helm, and I have made his tenets my own. I believe that the just should be defended, the weak should be protected, and we Knights of His should stand ever vigiliant.

What I find most troubling is not that Kemnebi Shadeweaver has commited dark acts, nor his reputed alliance with a faction of true evil. It is not his deceiving tongue or his chaotic tendencies. Rather, it is you, a good man, defending a man who is not. And in this we can find no greater offense.

I will ask you this one time, for the purposes of diplomacy, that you explain yourself.

Signed,
Abbot Orlan Proskus

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric reads the letter and smiles to himself*

"This is becoming very interesting indeed!"

*Elric pulls out a piece of expensive Vellum and proceeds to write*

Esteemed Abbot Orlan,

I understand your concerns with Kemnebi and with recent events. I have had long philosophical discussions with kemnebi and find them interesting and enlightening. As you know I am a student of magic but also a student of life. I find life in all its aspects interesting; therefore, I talk and walk among many different people and religions. In order to properly study life, I must be neutral when it comes to peoples beliefs, I must be a good listener, and also a good chronicler. That is not to say that I abhor certain practices, I am human after all.

My discussions with Kemnebi as I said before were very interesting and I found no duplicity in my talks with him. He was very candid about his God and his religion and how he followed the tenants of his faith.

There are two sides to Kemnebi. I am unsure if you know that he allied with a number of us, Cadmus included, to try and decipher and later destroy the gate that opened in the crossroads and let loose demons upon the land. He also allied with a number of us to try and help Sundren push back the Veritas. Again, he allied with us when we approached the Necropolis the first couple times in order to try and find out what was happening in that dark place. Therefore, I have only trust in Kemnebi at this point because he saved my life on several occasions, and I saved his also. I think that is one reason he asked me to defend him.

In relating all this to you, I must confess the two primary reasons that I decided to defend this man. The first is obvious, I believe every man has the right to defend himself when accused. the second, I believe, after all I have seen of Landaren, the children, and the evil behind it all, my studies, and my observations, that Kemnebi is being framed for an act he did not commit. I believe that the death of Tifton is related to Landaren and the evil that surrounds him and I will attempt to prove this fact in court.

Respectfully,

Elric Gallows.

*Elric pulls out a thick envelope, places the letter inside, then seals it with wax. He then calls to the bartender to have the letter delivered to the Abbot.*

[Leaving Hope]

* The Abbot replies to Elric with another letter, and like with the first he holds his elbow and chuckles from time to time. *

Elric,

Thank you for taking the time to reply during what must be a very busy time for you. I will not occupy it further, and we will let the trial settle this matter once and for all.

However, in the matter of diplomacy between our two organizations, Arcanus Liberus and the Church of Helm, I must caution you to the ramifications of your actions. You are being seen as representing a man who is accused of murdering one of our own within our very own holy walls, a man who is accused of conspiring with Landaren and the hordes of darkness.

Whether Kemnebi is guilty or not, the clergy, Paladins, and followers of His church are sullen with grief and would never allow us to even begin negotiations for diplomacy under such circumstances. If you proceed to involve yourself with this man, I will ask that you do not return to our church to discuss diplomatic efforts. In several years, we will revisit the possibility.

Signed,
Abbot Orlan Proskus

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric reads the letter and thinks*

"A veiled threat if I ever saw one. Well, if the paladins and holy rollers believe in justice, then they will forgive if I find Kemnebi to be innocent. If they cannot get past their prejudice, then let their God deal with them."

*Elric smiles thinking of the challenges ahead*