Lord Thebe's Letter to Irastakann
Lord Thebe's 2nd Letter to Irastakann
Lord Thebe's Letter to Roska the Terrible
Lord Thebe's Letter to Lord Kaidar
Lord Thebe's Letter to Kram the Mad

Lord, I have failed you
Sariloth's Instructions

Muybridge's Letter to Toade
Toade's Letter to Lord Muybridge

Secret Love Letter
Vakirin's Love Letter
Birket's Love Letter

You must tell them!
Brothers and sisters of Darnok unite!
To Break the Ice and the Stone
Dareth, I hope this message gets to you in time
People of Padavis
IT'S THE GOBLINS!
Missing
Beware of the Sorcerer's Lair
Volunteers Needed
Hogsbreath the Foole's letter to the people of Bilton
People of Wildevarr
Sylyryn's Letter to Silirin
Mikkelnie the Scholar's Letter to Mrs. Longezzard
To anyone who finds this
Father to Family
Gwynnthelene's Letter to Riddenbutter
Jungles of Hatak
Toade's Letter to Lord Mockincale
Big people and how to Cope / Dwayne Dwarkofski
The Order of the Awesome and Almighty Archmages




Irastikaan
Guardian of the Aroblin Tapstone
Amber Castle
Aroblin

Irastikaan,

I write bringing commendations from Sariloth.
You have kept things in order quite well.
We are pleased with your progress, and more importantly, he is pleased with your progress.
We think that he would like to commend you personally, but his attention has been centered on Kaidar in the caves of Hethrallin.
Once those affairs are sealed, perhaps Sariloth will see fit to visit you.
In light of the recent intrusion of the extra-planars, we hope you will continue the exceptional duty.
We have every belief that you will.

Sincerely,

Lord Thebe
High Priest of the Cult of Sariloth




Irastikaan,

Through a dream, the Lord of Order has informed me of your presence in the East.
We at the Temple hope that every provision has been made to your liking. No expense was spared.
The Amber Castle has oft been prized for its beauty and location. We hope it serves you well.
From here, my courier will stop at the house of Lord Jovanc to entreat his support for you.
He has a large army of creatures at his disposal, and could become useful if the people of Farr become agitated.
Jovanc is rumored to be unliving, and may therefore be difficult to deal with. My courier will discern this for certain, and if you are reading this, he has completed his journey and will inform you as to the current state of those affairs.
Know that the resources of the Network and the Cult are completely at your disposal. Should you be desirous of earthly possession or service, alert us and we will provide immediate assistance.

Yours most sincerely,

Lord Thebe
High Priest of the Cult of Sariloth




Roska the Terrible
Guardian of the Maldav Tapstone
Citadel of Darnok
Maldavith

Roska,
Hail and well met, great one.
I bring commendations from Sariloth.
He has been very pleased with your ability to keep things in order.
Though currently in the East, tending to another agent's desires, and slated to visit the second agent in the south following, he shall immediately thereafter visit you. Your patience has been well noted.
He looks forward to answering all of your questions regarding Irastikaan personally.
Within the fortress of night,
Sits a stone that saps the might
Of the land, the sea, the morrow morn,
The very heart of this proud throne.
Guarded by spell, by hate, by beast so foul,
This robber king kills the here, the now.
Our tomorrows shall break with bitter taste
Lest this shear be sewn in place.
Before gentle Hope can e'er be born,
A champion must come and crack this stone.
Sincerely,

Lord Thebe
High Priest of the Cult of Sariloth




Lord Kaidar of House N'Quess
Guardian of the Hethrallin Tapstone
Underdeep
Hethrallin

Lord Kaidar,

I bring you greetings from the Cult and from our Lord.
In response to your query, the agent to your West and the agent to your East have been performing well overall. I have seen to it myself that there shall be no further complications. We regret that there was any confusion or inconvenience.
Regarding the forest elves, I wouldn't have much more worry. The Blight has sapped so much of their strength, I doubt they'll venture much outside their treetown.
Regarding the extra-planars, forces have been allocated to deal with this threat. Worry not.
Continue your outstanding work, and continue to uphold Order. The coming Age of Order will see you a wealthy and powerful ally. Should you need anything, you know where I may be found.

Sincerely,

Lord Thebe
High Priest of the Cult of Sariloth




Sorceror,

You step on breaking ground.

As you may know, our Lord has taken great pains to seed Farr with the necessary agents to mine its riches.
I say riches purposefully, for while you have received payment from the Cult, you have chosen to ignore the arrangement previously contracted for.
This cannot continue.

You are in breach of our agreement in the following:

1:
You have failed to supply specified quantity of virgin hearts to Lord Roska

2:
You have failed to secure a suitable position for the Wildevarr Tapstone

3:
You have failed to stop the accursed Steed Totem from bringing in other-worldly aid (rumors abound that extra-planars are in Farr, working now to unseam our delicate plans).

Since the latter two points have been recently reevaluated, your oath breach in these areas are moot.

However, unless fealty is immediately paid to Roska in the West (according to the previously decided upon sacrifice schedule), we have no choice but to consider our bargain null and void.

The Cult will re-claim what was given, by force if necessary. Suitable interest will also be extracted. Roska must be fed.

Consider this your final warning.

Lord Thebe
High Priest of the Cult of Sariloth




Lord, I have failed you.
I have wished to serve none more than you.
Your Order: perfect.
Your bidding: Law.
Your Chance: none.
I have done your desires here, as I had done in the Elven Caverns before this.
The Stones are in place, but...I grow tired.
More so than before...
I am so cold...
I will sleep now...
May your other minions serve you so true...
And love you so well...




Mark you well my instructions, for in your hands lie the last defense of the Great Plan.
There may be intruders who will try to gain access to the Rock. Do all in your power to prevent this! If anyone comes near the Rock, attack him with all of your craft and might.
Be especially wary of anyone who possesses one or more of the Tapstones. Although they pose no greater threat, for all seven tapstones are necessary to gain entrance to the Rock, knowledge of the importance of these tapstones could be dangerous in the hands of a brash and foolhardy mortal.
These, above all, must not be allowed to leave the Halls of the Dead alive.
In you, I place my trust. Do not disappoint me, lest you feel my wrath.

Sariloth




Dearest Vakirin, (Very ironic this one, for it may only be found on Birket's dead body... :)

Take this note as you have taken my heart, gentle thief, and know that the chorus of my heart sings of love for you eternal and true.
If only my heart was filled with courage and love alike, I would come to you and profess my devotion, but I fear your heart may not spell with love for me.
So, gently and shyly, I ask for your pardon. And your love. May this note of my green ardor seed within your bosom, and may a tree of my love grow there.
So then, forever and ever, you may rest under it when the day is hot or when the nights are cool.
So, until I have your answer, I will dare wish that someday I may promise my love of you to your ever beautiful, ever graceful face.

Yours,
B. S.




My most dear Birket,

Like a mirror returning my sad face when finding the truth of your heart all this time, I gladly return your love.
Let us meet before the Temple of the Moon at sunset.
I count the moments until then.

Vakirin




Dearest Vakirin,

Do I dream, but did your gaze pass upon me the other day and you did not run in fear at my sight?
Do I wish too much, or could your grace and charm ever love a knave as base and cowardly as me?
I do dream...
And I do wish...
That some day your heart will be mine.

-Your secret admirer




Toade,
Tell me one thing I wish to hear and I'll not drape your bloody carcass from Darnok's gates!
Enough of this Dark Elf and Land Leech foolishness! If these men are afraid of losing their souls to wives' tales and myths, my wrath will give them something to truly fear! Bring the 'uneasy' before me. I'll be sure to 'rest' all fear...
What of Tamnath, fool!?! There is booty uncountable there! Fail me in finding it and I promise that you will suffer dearly.
-Muybridge




Lord Muybridge,
Another scout party of Dark Elves was seen just South of Filmore.
They attacked on sight and fled into the Hethrallin forest before one could be captured. They were many and well-armed.
This is the fifth encounter this moon with a similar end. What was once a rarity is now commonplace. With their numbers increasing in these parts, I wonder if the rumor about the Land Leech connected to them might be true.
Should we delve into the caves to discover the truth?
I ask only because the men are uneasy. They fear their souls may not be safe. Rumors swirl, Lord. They must be answered, yea or nay. Your humble servant,
Toade




O Priestess of the Moon, help us in our time of despair. The time of the end draws close. By the time you read this, I will have left the body and returned to shadow. You must tell my story to all who will listen.
I had been sneaking down into the Dwarven mines, raiding them for leftover gems and minerals. While following an unfamiliar branch of a mine, I came upon what looked like a stone. It's beauty beyond description, glowing from within, both captivated and terrified me. I could not help but walk toward it, and when I did, I felt the Power. Approaching this huge gem, I felt as if my very life was being drained from me. Nay, more than my life...my whole being. I felt as if it were tapping the essence of my very soul. I fought my way back outside, but I could feel the Power eating away at me from inside. I knew that this life-tapping stone would eventually consume me, as it will draw all life into the Void.
You must find someone to destroy it!
Stop at nothing! Wade through the River of Lava if you must, but find a way to stop this horrible thing! There can be no peace while this monster exists.
Tell the people! You must tell them!




Brothers and sisters of Darnok unite!
It was Roska who brought the monsters, who fouled our seas and fields, who stole so much of our souls. Maldavith thrived until his fortress appeared in the night. He must be punished for bringing his misery here.
Damn the rumors! If he is allied with the Lord of Order, his flesh is still mannish, and like any man's, it may be pierced.
We must strike now, for every day we wait, we give one more day that another fright may appear when the morning mist recedes.
Join together and dispose this overlord!
So long as there is breath, there is hope!




To break the ice and free the stone:
To free the stone, you must have the hammer...
Hammer the ice to free the terrible stone
Free the stone to set us free.




Dareth, I hope this message gets to you in time,
for I fear that death is near for me. If you don't hear from me within seven moons, then I must be dead.
I have infiltrated the smugglers cave! When you come to find me, the guards will ask for a Sigil. Hopefully you will find one on the way. I killed some rather nasty pirate followers and found one.
Good luck, my friend!




People of Padavis,

Though drained as many of you are, my temple will always serve your needs, even until the last of my soul is stolen from me.
Those beset by melancholy, a shivered spine, or wound of body or soul may call upon me.
At any moment, I will be there with what aid I can muster.
There is no denying that this Blight has affected us all.
We must stick together in the power of the land and in the power of our community to be strongest now.
Some day, as was prophesied by the Steed Totem, the Blight will be lifted, my people.
We all hope that day will be soon.

-Moon Priestess




IT'S THE GOBLINS!

It's no secret that Wildevarr is not safe!
Abductions, Crime, Robbery, Nighttime Raids.
There is no peace! The truce is a joke!
The GOBLINS are not to be trusted!
They are unnatural, evil, ugly creatures of the Underworld!
THEY SHOULD BE MERCILESSLY CRUSHED NOW,
before they come for our women and children!
The time for action is NOW, people of Padavis!
Or will you cowardly await your doom at the hands of these vile monsters?
This is our country, and if there are any problems in the land...

IT'S THE GOBLINS!

So let us go south and slay every last one of them.




Missing:

The Maldav bowman:
Jorl Sebrinac.

Passed through Padavis, two weeks ago, asking of Castle Jovanc.
Did not return.
Feared claimed by the wraiths of the keep.
Any information posted on his whereabouts would be met with appreciation.




Traveler, beware
of the Sorceror's Lair.

Sits it now to the south and east,
and upon tired soul, it shall sure feast.

Yet should ye mighty go, horrors wait there you can't possibly know.




Volunteers Wanted

As most of you know, courtesy of the three Spirit Steeds, we now have a new statue in the courtyard. As statues of this nature tend to attract the local bird population, who then make themselves right at home, if you catch my drift, on these here statues, we need volunteers from the town to keep this here statue looking spiffy.

It is unclear at this point how long the Steeds will stay this way. They were expected to lead a battle in the Halls of the Dead, but then they just sort of hardened, and that was that, as they say.

If you can volunteer a couple hours of your time a month, it would be appreciated. I'm sure them Steeds'l be grateful, too.

Signed,

Guglion, Chief of Maintenance




To the People of Bilton

It is with great regret that I must take my leave of the fair people of Bilton. For years I have lived among you, plying my trade as a Jester for your pleasure and entertainment. I have played tricks, performed illusions, told humorous stories, drooled, bent my body into untoward shapes, and made numerous grotesque faces for your amusement. Some of you have repaid me with kindness -- a coin here and there, or the occasional meal -- but, for the most part, you have remained unresponsive to my antics. You even stooped so low as to pelt me with rotten fruit and vegetables during one particularly unfortunate performance. How was I to know that a recitation of Dwarven love poems would draw such ire?

Throughout my entire career, I have searched for three legendary Golden Apples to better confound and mystify you. Had I but found them, my level of trickery would have increased a thousand fold -- think what amusements I could have then concocted! With those three apples together, I could have made even a cold stone statue come to life and dance with delight. Alas, I hear that these three apples were stolen by the villain Sariloth and secreted to three separate locations by his evil minions. I suppose some people just don't like a good joke.

Therefore, I bid you farewell and adieu. I go to take my show on the road, for there is always an audience waiting somewhere.

Signed,

Hogsbreath the Foole

P.S. If you should have a change of heart, I can be reached through my agent, Sol Lazaar.




People of Wildevarr --

It is time for all of us to take up arms and assist in the finding and destroying of these accursed tapstones that are draining Farr of its very life energy. Do you think that you are so blessed that you can sit back and do nothing while you watch the rest of the world perish? Do you think that Sariloth will allow us to remain untouched, even though we appear in no danger at present? Do not be so naive. Sariloth will not rest until every living thing is under his power. He has placed a tapstone in each land to drain it of its very essence. It will not be long before he finds a way to do the same with Wildevarr. We cannot just resign our fate to those three steeds. Let us join forces and stop Sariloth before it is too late.

Signed,

Anonymous



Silirin,
No, no, no!
Quote Monk Sheldon all you want (that crackpot actually helps my case!), but Ice holds more power than any of the other Elements. It's just not as vain (a virtue you could stand to learn from, brother). Remember the tale of the creation of Magic? Since I know you have trouble remembering what tavern you stumbled out of last night, let me refresh you...
When Sentiffin stole some of the Elements' essence for that first spell, all but the Ice Para-Elemental lost their heads in a rage. Ice was the only one that held firm (quite literally, I might add). It bided its time, and planned its revenge against that thieving wizard. And when their trap was sprung, all the power of water and heat that Ice stored fueled the attacks of the other Elements. Sentiffin was gobbled up, and people had learned that they had better respect the Elements, because the Elements certainly don't respect people. Whoever is responsible for the Blight knows what I know. The icy caves of Mons hold a key to the Blight. I guarantee it. Whoever thinks otherwise is about as bright as a noontime shadow, as soft as a virgin's rump, and as drunk as a brother of mine.
Sylyryn
PS- And oh yes, eat worms and die...




Dear Mrs. Longnezzard,

Thank you so much for attending my lecture on Pre-History last week, and your kind note of appreciation. However, several statements in your letter lead me to believe that I did not make myself clear when offering explanations of the conflict that has lead us to our current crisis. You seem to, as so many have, confused Saroth with Sariloth, and Tholis with Thorolis. Allow me to explicate and hopefully clarify the distinctions. Saroth and Tholis existed in The Old Age, before recorded history. Before anything except Saroth and Tholis, in fact. Saroth and Tholis were not physical beings as we understand them. Rather, they were Powers -- unmanifest and absolute. They were pure consciousness, able to affect each other through the use of their own conscious will, and limited to neither physical laws nor the laws of magic. However, with Order and Chaos being polar opposites, it was their nature to resist each other, and therefore the war was waged. During this epic struggle, the space between their blows became measured, and thus was Time born, setting the transition to the New Age in motion. Saroth's perceived victory over Tholis signaled the emergence of the New Age -- the age of manifestation. Natural laws of space and time developed, and energy condensed into matter in conformance with these laws. However, the last thing that Saroth expected was the emergence of Mortals.

Mortals, being a mixture of both Saroth and Tholis, introduced new elements of randomness into the universe heretofore unknown. It is this randomness that frightened Saroth into assuming a mortal form, thereby to better cope with the mortals and learn firsthand of their weaknesses. Tholis, too, discovered that manifesting a mortal form would provide a strategic advantage, so he became Thorolis in order to walk among men and create uncertainty. It is the continuing battle of these Powers, now in mortal form, that has created the unhappy situation that we are now in.

The gravity of the outcome of this struggle is obvious. Being the offspring of Saroth and Tholis, we each share their natures to a certain degree. Like Saroth, we like order -- to know what is going to happen, to know all is as it should be, not liking surprises, etc. However, to progress as a race, we must also have Chaos, for it is from chaos that all things new are born. Without it, there would be no creativity, no discovery -- no advancement. It is these very qualities which make mortals unique, and give us a special place within Creation. That is why there is more at stake in this struggle than our lives. Yea, these forces battle for our very essence -- our souls.

I hope this sheds further light on the subject of my lecture. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, or attend my next one which is coming up in three weeks. Again, thank you for your kind letter and compliments.

The cookies were also greatly appreciated.

Yours truly,

Mikkelnie, the Scholar




To anyone who finds this --

Help me, I pray thee. Foolishly did I go off to serve the master of the Underworld and bring order to this Universe. 'Twill be better, thought I. Better all around. Things'll be nice once we've got a little order around here. Little did I know the horror of his plan. He wants it all. He'll stop at nothing everything is under his control.

He's quite mad. As mad as I thought Tholis was, Sariloth is twice as mad.

Now, I'm trapped with his legion and cannot get out. Even if I had a tesseract key, the Stargate here does not function. It is said that the Object of Hope can restore it, but I know not of this object, nor where it can be found. Therefore, all is lost unless I can find someone to liberate me from this dark place.

Please help me. You must tell the people that Sariloth will ne'er rest until he has it all. Wake up, people of Farr. Time is short.

Time is short.




Forgive me, my family, for what I must do.

I have tried to provide you with a good and prosperous life. Now, I find that my mistakes have driven us into ruin, with hard work being rewarded by persecution, and all of my charitable deeds for naught. What has happened? How is it we sow harmony and yet reap only pain -- or is justice not to be found in this life?

I journey to Sariloth's Citadel in the Halls of the Dead. Perhaps he can answer this question, for he has long battled random chance. Perhaps he can teach me to reverse these terrible circumstances that I have brought upon you, my family. Weep not for me if I do not return. There is no fate that I could meet that would be more painful than waking up every morning with those accursed questions -- what happened? What went wrong?

Your Father.




My Dear Mrs. Riddenbutter --

I hope this finds you well and prosperous in these dark days.

My master would like to reserve the back room tomorrow night for a get-together of his gentlemen friends and business associates. The usual grog will be just fine, and perhaps some of those little pork balls as appetizers. He just loves those. You can send the bill to the usual place.

By the way, I was wondering if you'd heard anything about Kram the Mad having a tesseract key. There's a rumour going around that it used to belong to Ruragon, but somehow Kram the Mad got ahold of it. Mrs. Riddenbutter, you know me -- I don't like to talk ill of anyone -- but they don't call him Kram the Mad for naught! And, as for his having a tesseract key, that's a little like giving a fish a broadsword, isn't it? I just don't know. Maybe it's not my place to say anything, but I thought you should know. Please drop me a line if you hear anything, won't you?

When the master passes out, be so kind as to cover him up. I'll be 'round to pick him up in the morning.

Love,

Gwynnthelene




Hear ye, hear ye!
All travelers heading South, be forewarned that the Jungles of Hatak are no longer within the patrol radius of the Watchriders.
Both the elves of Hethrallin and soldiers from Pentere have suffered heavy losses within Hatak. It is believed that a demon has been summoned and currently holds dominion in the ruins of Glengl-Zur. Bilton's Lord High Mage has not confirmed or denied this, but for certain, something evil has arisen there.
While strong heroes are currently being recruited to deal with the problem, adventurers are advised to stay clear of Hatak and its borders.
All commerce has been ceased in that land, and visitors are strongly recommended to avoid travel in the Far South at all costs.




Lord Mockincale,
This note brings great news! Tamnath exists!
We found spires of its tallest towers erect in the waves just north of Tear Isle in the Gulf of Maldav. Your lordship was correct all along (I assure you, none of the men doubted you for a moment.)!
Seemingly, Sentiiffin's Calamity did not do as much damage as scholars had thought. Let us hope that stories of Tamnath's riches are not only rumors...
I have taken a party of men and a spellcaster there to map and scout it. The infamous pirate Muybridge has the region completely under his control. He may have to be disposed before any others can venture here, and my arrangement with him has been tenuous to say the least.
Regardless, I will send word to you when it may be safe to come and behold this sunken city's riches for yourself. I look forward to personally showing you.
Your humble servant,
Toade




Big People, and How to Cope

Written by Dwayne Dwarkofski

1 Every morning, say to yourself, 'I am Dwarf, hear me roar.'
2 Ignore their stares - they only wish they were as blessed as us with massive brainpower!
3 Mumble and growl a lot in the presence of humans. (They get nervous and never know what you're thinking)




The Order of the Awesome and Almighty Archmages

For he who is foolish enough to read this: look upon this document without permission, and know that soon your eyes shall turn into balls of ravenous maggots that will burrow into your skull, feeding upon your brain and devouring your foolish curiosity. You have been warned...

The Order includes:

Vanguard the Viscous
The Viscous One was so awesomely charismatic, men would follow him into molten lava and not think twice of it until they were in flames. Even then, many would have still followed. The Guild's physical boundaries expanded greatly during his leadership, and many think that it is because he needed more room for his harem than anything else. Very quick to temper, Vanguard had a habit of turning anyone who did not agree with him into heads of lettuce, and make them into a salad that he would eat with a glass of red wine. Many believe him to be an undead lich now, living in the subterranean world of the Dark Elves.

Motar the Miraculous
An oaf with awesome power, Motar was the most talented and least disciplined magician to ever wear of the High Cloak. He had a sincere love of writing, but only used it to make list upon list of spells that he promised he would create someday. Few were ever realized, but those that were created are now the mainstays of many a wizard's spell book.

The Witch Miranda
Mysterious and strange, the Witch was perhaps the most wise and judicious of all wizards in her order. She was quite the opposite of the Miraculous One insofar as she would promise little but deliver a great amount. In fact, it was her diligent research that brought the teleportation tunnels to existence. More into the practical applications of magic and not the display of great power, Miranda brought the Guild in a direction of discovery that has not been altered (no matter how many have tried) since her administration.

Ruragon
Never to be insulted, Ruragon had great power, cruelty, arrogance, and even greater arrogance. He had often clashed with many other members of the Guild on the most unimportant issues. The most notable being his Element Battle on the Bilton streets with Rensus the Purple on Prime Chimm several winters ago.

This Battle, which razed a good portion of the Merchants' quarter, was reportedly over a disagreement on how properly to spell the word potato. Ruragon insisted an "e" could be added. Ultimately, he fled the Guild, confident that he was much too powerful and important to be a member any longer. Some believe that his Keep in the center of the continent is the most dangerous series of mazes in all of Farr.

Tezerai of the Seventeen Fires
Quite mad, Tezerai led the Guild with his familiar, the imp Ziz. The imp was quite cunning, and through a series of subtle political moves, he was able to put the seemingly inept Tezerai in the position to wear the High Cloak. Tezerai, however, was not shrewd in the least bit. A typical sly move of his would be to openly combust anyone who dared speak his name without permission. To this day, his name is not spoken in the Guild unless it is in hushed tones.



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