Robin Weiss
Priestess Robin Weiss (a.k.a. Storm Sister)
"As you walk out onto the way, the way will appear before you."Robin Weiss is a Human sorceress and acolyte of the Dusk Mage under the employ of The Holy Zygallic Church. She works primarily as a scribe, with a portfolio consisting primarily of legal documents, though recently she received the honor of translating one of the first almanacs detailing the weather patterns of Alloyus into Feroxi. Born mute, Robin often does not get a chance to demonstrate her wealth of linguistic knowledge, though the fact that she is a polyglot is no secret.Ars Arcanum, Visions, Chapter 5, Stanza 111, Verse 12321
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Robin's build is petite, with little in obvious muscle tone, save for what little muscle she may have in her hands and arms due to years of extensive calligraphy.
Identifying Characteristics
Robin's most distinctive physical feature is her hair, which lacks any form of pigment. Her eyes, by contrast, are vibrant and bright shade of emerald green.
Physical quirks
Even when cut short, Robin's hair grows extraordinarily quickly. If she were to shave her head bald, her hair would reach her shoulders in short time.
Despite being unable to lift much of anything, not particularly graceful and terrible at feats of athleticism, Robin is able to sustain a march, hold her breath, and resist disease much better than many people.
Special abilities
Whenever Robin channels her arcane powers, the air around her swells up, buffeting her hair and any loose clothing. This surge of air only seems strong enough to affect Robin herself, however, and is far too weak to be utilized in any way.
When Robin experiences intense emotions, she seems to electrify the air surrounding her, though this effect does not seem to cause any harm to those nearby.
Apparel & Accessories
Robin can often be seen wearing her vestments, which features a pair of deep purple hakama and pink kosode. She wears a lighter purple obi, from which she has fastened a large pouch on either side. On her right, a pouch containing a large copper orb; on her left, a coinpurse. When traveling she wears a backpack which carries various supplies.
She also possesses an outfit for the winter
Specialized Equipment
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Robin Weiss was born on the 12th of Vernari in the year 110 F.E. in the small Aurumi village of Vayu'Ped. Robin lived their with her biological father, who neglected and abused her. She was shunned by most of the superstitious villagers, who saw her as an ill omen. She had only one friend during her time there, which she met through the church.
She has been a member of The Holy Zygallic Church since the year 111 F.E. and began tutelage at the prestigious Saptagiri Monastery in 116 F.E. excelling as a student and impressing her instructors. After declaring her Third Catechism in 126 F.E., she accepted the mentorship of Bishop Dorothea Kramer.
She visited the Artemesia Sanctuary in 128 F.E., working under then Bishop Sophia De Borell III. Collaborating with Ulrich Ron Lamperos and several others, she completed a study on meteorological phenomenon in Morado. She then published a research paper on the group's findings.
She left Verous on Apreri 29th, 130 F.E. on Aunt Hare. Bidding farewell to her longtime mentor and friend Dorothea, she worked as the scribe of Siesko O'Lak's ship. During this time she met and worked closely with Malopher. She also met Delphine Finley under the guise of Sophia De Borel on the voyage, and later agreed to join her pilgrimage when Aunt Hare docked in Alluminos.
In Alluminos, she met Bishop Dekoga of the Dusk Mage, and used this connection to gain a better understanding of Abraxus during the party's investigation of the mysterious substance. It was also here that she met and befriended Elizabeth Ron Dolfore under the guise of Avalissa Alonim.
When the party arrived in Bend River, Robin helped the party to prove Malopher's innocence in the murder he was implicated in. After the issue was resolved, Robin revealed to Malopher elements of her own past, and deepened her bond with him in doing so.
In Yonara, Robin answered the pleas of a young girl to defend her mother, Lidda Hilvar, in court. It was here that she reunited with Ulrich and met Foltore Ron Hyouhaku, a former colleague of Dorothea's. She and the party traveled to the Karthanian plains to end the threat of the Talesharo to the village. Harnessing the power of the kavalah that rested in the ruins, Robin summoned the Thunderbird, and pacified the Talesharo army peacefully. She then succumbed to the rigors of casting such advanced magic, nearly dying in the process.
In the wake of this adventure, Robin learned that her mother was the daughter of one of the Te'Otel Sharo. Once she recovered, she spoke with Chieftain Vides'De, then went with the party back to Yonara, where she was able to form a compromise in court that worked to Lidda's favor. She sent the first Magic Missive ever to Dorothea Kramer. She also learned that Ulrich was being possessed by some sinister force.
In Faircaster, Robin befriended Arakan Harloff. She also learned more of the Occulo society from Carson. She learned more of sorcery from an ancient tome in the library, and shared these findings with Delphine. She also assisted Kazimier in the others in putting down the threat of Los Canteros.
Gender Identity
Female
Sexuality
Asexual (Sex Indifferent)
Alloromantic (Homoromantic?)
Alloromantic (Homoromantic?)
Education
Robin is a polyglot who is fluent in seven languages.
She studied at the prestigious Saptagiri Monastery under Bishop Dorothea Kramer. She has always taken her studies extremely seriously, but her fervor for self improvement and education has only increased over the years.
Employment
She is employed by The Holy Zygallic Church. She works specifically as a Dusk Mage acolyte. Her duties typically involve drafting documents, translation, scrivening, or aiding senior acolytes in scholarly research.
She worked primarily at the Saptagiri Monastery in Aurumo, though she spent a brief time at the Artemesia Sanctuary in Ferox.
Currently, she is working as a guard for Avalissa Alonim, en route to Settledusk. She has also agreed to tutor Joy.
She has also been employed by Lidda Hilvar as a defense attorney.
Accomplishments & Achievements
108 F.E.
- Discovered how to speak using Minor Illusion
- Youngest Dusk Mage Acolyte to publish an independent research document.
- Legally changed her name to Robin Weiss.
- Learned how to speak via Thorandli.
- Summoned Thunderbird at the Karthanian Plains and showed mercy to the tribe of Gnoll Ta'LeSharo.
- Invented a 3rd Level Spell, Robin's Magic Missive.
- Participated in the Battle of Faircaster
- Awakened as a Cleric, powered by her belief in herself.
- Obtained Testament, an Artefact of Chalchiutlicue
Failures & Embarrassments
130 F.E.
- Accidentally outed by Ulrich on Gusterus 14th.
- Bungled a love confession to Dorothea Kramer on Harvestus 5th.
Mental Trauma
Personal
Mechanical
Robin has suffered Sanity damage from the following stimuli:Intellectual Characteristics
Robin has a generally well rounded understanding of imperial law and history, though she is far from a historian. She considers herself somewhat of a hobbyist, but not a professional.
Her expertise truly lies in her mastery of language. Ironically, her inability to speak is perhaps the most significant obstacle she faces in her day to day life.
Robin has a tendency to get along well with people. Despite this, she is not very well versed in the intricacies of interpersonal relationships.
She enjoys learning new things from people as well as educating them in her own areas of expertise. Perhaps stereotypically, Robin has a tendency to write exhaustively on topics of interest and occasionally get carried away by her own personal feelings in a matter. This tendency has been curbed in her later years, but still manifests itself frequently.
Morality & Philosophy
"People who join the clergy for power do not deserve that power. As members of the church we have a responsibility to help others in whatever way we might be able to. To make the world a better place. It is... heartbreaking to hear that such people were so prevalent where you lived."Robin holds a position of quiet resistance against the rigidity of Feroxian culture, especially pertaining to members of the clergy. She has long battled with the notion of fate, and has ultimately resolved that nothing is destined until someone resolves it to be so. Instead of resigning herself to the whims of the universe, she would rather seek her own fulfillment. She hopes that, one day, she can attain this dream and help others to do the same. Robin holds a quiet contempt for imperialism, specifically in the erasure of the cultures that are consumed in the Feroxian Empire's continued expansion across the world. Robin has demonstrated a rigid observance of etiquette. Despite being at philosophical odds with certain aspects of high Imperial culture, Robin's code of personal etiquette often sees her treating the powers that be with a great degree of respect, though she seems to extend this same level of courtesy to people regardless of their station in relation to hers. Robin has demonstrated on a few occasions the belief that existing power structures ought to be designed to assist the less fortunate. She has gotten upset by the notion of government or religious officials giving way to or actively participating in abuses of their power.Robin Weiss to Malopher O'Lak13th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Taboos
Romance
"It is my experience that hearts are not prudent. They do not care about obligations and take no heed to concepts such as propriety. When they have chosen their mark there is naught we can do but succumb to their will or ignore what they say... and though we may ignore them, we never... we never forget."On Vernari 12th, 126 F.E., the date of her 16th birthday, Robin swore an oath to Bishop Dorothea Kramer that she would abstain from romance for five years. Despite this, Robin realized two years later that she had fallen in love with none other that Dorothea herself. She desperately tried to deny these feelings and repressed them for a time, before she eventually came to begrudgingly accept the feelings. Though she has reconciled with her feelings for her dear friend and former teacher, she has continued to keep them secret. This secrecy has caused her much suffering. Lying As a Dusk Mage, Robin not only finds willful, harmful deception extremely distasteful, she refrains from doing so herself. While she is prone to misleading others, she strongly prefers to avoid telling outright falsehoods. Robin's distaste for lying was clearly demonstrated when she revealed the party's secret affairs to Dorothea without any specific prompting. She simply did not want to keep secrets from someone she cares about. Drinking Robin avoids the consumption of alcohol under most circumstances, though she does not seem to be opposed to its consumption by others. This was once demonstrated when she bought Malopher a drink. To date, she has been observed drinking in limited amounts in Malopher's company. On Gusterus 29th, in Whispermill, Robin became upset with Delphine and Kazimier for getting drunk the previous night, but did not tell them why. The following night, Robin herself became drunk and revealed how she felt about the party. Speaking with Ulrich Ron Lamperos On Gusterus 16th, 130 F.E. Robin was told by Mr. Bitter that she could not speak to Ulrich any more as punishment for bringing up his occasional possession of the young priest. Robin holds quite a bit of resentment for Mr. Bitter as a result, but seems to keep herself bound to the order, if only for the sake of Ulrich's personal safety.Robin Weiss speaking of love to Avalissa Alonim14th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Physical Transition
Teaching Laypeople
Fulfilling Potential
Love
"I do not wear a mask to hide who I am. I wear it so that I can be who I am. Until the day comes where I can become it."In Walk and Talk in the Rain, Robin explained to Sophia that her "disguise" is just her trying to look the way she feels until she can be that person. When Sophia asked if such a magic existed, Robin confirmed that, to her knowledge, it did not. Robin intends to either learn or create a spell that can give her the body she seeks.Robin Weiss to Sophia De BorelWalk and Talk in the Rain14th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Teaching Laypeople
"A... good friend of mine has long espoused the values of teaching the common folk ... Perhaps once everything has calmed down ... I will attempt to see that dream through."Robin intends to climb ranks within the Holy Zygallic Church, at least until the rank of Bishop. She wants to have the ability to found her own monastery. In Spirited Conversations, she told Avalissa that she was considering using that opportunity to spread education to more commoners, though she apparently got the idea from somebody else.Robin Weiss to Elizabeth Ron Dolfore (Avalissa Alonim)Spirited Connections15th of Gusterus, 130 FE
Fulfilling Potential
"My spirit will not rest until I can see the very potential Sensei saw in me from the beginning come to fruition. I will, and have, staked my life on it."Robin is always looking to improve herself. Whether this is expanding her magical talents, learning new things, expanding her worldview, or simply improving her aesthetic appearance. As a Dusk Mage, she sees life as a constant state of growth and change, and she wants to always ensure that she is changing for the better.Robin Weiss"Alone." The Journals of Robin Weiss29th of Apreri, 130 FE
Love
"I will not be conquered by such devilish wiles. I will not suffer the indignity."Despite her denial, as well as an outward appearance of disinterest in romantic affairs, Robin harbors a powerful romantic love for Dorothea Kramer. Robin does her best to conceal this fact, due to the scandalous nature of her feelings, but the party and a few of their contacts have managed to catch on, much to Robin's irritation. Though Robin once held a lot of contempt for her feelings, she has since began the slow process of accepting them. As her relationship with Dorothea continues to evolve, Robin is constantly scrutinizing her words and behaviors to ensure that she continues to be a good friend to Dorothea without crossing any lines.Robin Weiss"Beast." The Journals of Robin Weiss29th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Savvies
- Linguistics
- Calligraphy
- Magic
- Arcana
- Deception
- Intimidation
- Flute
- Strength
- Dexterity
- Athletics
- Persuasion
Likes & Dislikes
Likes
- Dorothea Kramer
- People who have a desire to better themselves and who encourage others to do the same.
- Reading historical and archaeological records
- Learning about different cultures, religions and languages.
- Art, especially music.
- Musashi Ron Kojiro
- Prejudice
- The intentional propagation of ignorance or misinformation.
- Corruption or other abuses of power.
- Injuustice
Virtues & Personality perks
Virtues
- Honest
- Industrious
- Charitable
- Willing to teach
- Dependable
- Loyal
Vices & Personality flaws
Vices
- Bottling up emotions
- Fretting over minutiae
- Cares too much about what others think of her
- Has trouble relating to people she has nothing in common with
- Has a hard time noticing when someone is attracted to her
Personality Quirks
Robin tends to dress conservatively, regardless of weather conditions. She is accustomed to life in a monastery filled with people who tended to wear clothing that was looser, with few major gendered distinctions in attire choices.
Robin was unable to verbally communicate under the natural powers of her own body for most of her life. However, she is an exceptionally articulate writer. Perhaps as a way to compensate for her limited ability to convey her ideas through speech, she has a tendency to be overly verbose in written correspondence. Since gaining the ability to talk, she has shown a tendency to be verbose at times, though without a filter of casting a spell or writing it is also clear that her words are not as meticulously thought out.
Despite being proficient in the art of deception, Robin seems to avoid telling outright lies.
Robin's sense of humor tends to be dry, and generally for her own personal amusement.
Robin honors verbal contracts, even when it causes trouble for her.
Hygiene
Due to her upbringing in Aurumo and her long life in service to the Church of the Dusk Mage, Robin is accustomed to a life of ritualistic cleanliness. She takes great care to ensure that her hair and her clothes especially do not become overly soiled if she can avoid doing so.
Perhaps due to these hygienic standards, Robin seems to keep her general appearance in an orderly, well-groomed state. Despite being rather frugal, Robin is liable to spend gold on luxuries such as makeup and perfume.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Entities
Chalchiuhtlicue Robin's grandmother, who Robin met after touching the Glory Dias in the Karthanian Plains. She commanded Robin to find her voice before telling Robin that she had been waiting for one such as her for a long time. They were abruptly brought apart again, much to their mutual dismay. Robin seems to have taken her word at face value, believing that she is her grandmother.Former Kokuja
Bishop Dorothea Kramer Robin met Kannushi Dorothea Laoshun Kramer when she came to initially retrieve Robin and bring her to Saptagiri Monastery. For the majority of Robin's life Dorothea was one of many instructors at the Monastery. She had a long unspoken appreciation for the way that Dorothea always seemed to understand her in a way that her peers and other instructors didn't. During this time, Robin saw the bishop as a role model of sorts, ever aspiring to be more like the woman who saved her from her old life. After Robin declared her intentions for her denial in 114 F.E., the dynamic between her and the bishop shifted slightly, and she began to see Dorothea as a mentor and friend. As her only friend, Dorothea's advice was indispensable. Robin worked tirelessly to meet Dorothea's expectations and leapt at any opportunity to assist her. When Robin left Saptagiri for Artemesia and worked under Sophia De Borel III, it was the first time that the two of them had spent a long time without seeing one another. It was this shock that caused Robin to realize that she had fallen in love with Dorothea. She struggled with this revelation for many months afterward, even after reuniting with Dorothea and resuming her work at Saptagiri. It was one of the contributing factors to Robin leaving for Morado. Before the voyage, Dorothea gifted Robin a shield and taught her how to use it. It has become Robin's most cherished possession. In return, Robin gifted Dorothea a pen and a lock of her own hair. Since then, the two maintained regular contact via Sendings that Dorothea would send Robin. Robin would later invent Magic Missive for the purpose of being able to communicate with Dorothea more effectively. At first, Robin maintained her communications privately, withholding the identity of her contact from the party. She was also cautious about the details she shared with Dorothea. As the party became embroiled in more treacherous situations, Robin feared that the wrong person learning Dorothea's identity could cause her trouble in the Empire, or that Dorothea may come to learn something that could make her a target of an evil scheme. When Robin and the party learned the identities of the original Kokuja, Ela came to become suspicious of Dorothea. Robin, however, has not seemed to consider Dorothea's past anything worth concern. If anything, it convinced her that Dorothea could handle anything that she could reveal of their journey. She was immediately transparent to Dorothea about her becoming aware of her connections, and shared how it was that she came to learn it, and has not brought it up since. After the events of Three Point River, Robin came to believe that she should be fully transparent with Dorothea, revealing all of the details of the journey to her. She has also decided that she needs to be transparent to Dorothea about her feelings for her. However, just as Robin came to these realizations, the party entered the influence of the Whispering Sands Aperture, and Robin's communications with Dorothea were cut off. This lack of communication took its toll on Robin, causing her to become irritable, more cynical, and more prone to reckless behavior. When Robin learned of the Aperture, she became obsessed with overcoming it to restore her communications, regardless of the danger involved. These feelings came to a head after the party went into the Whispering Sands. After an aperture to the Plane of Air split Robin's emotions from her, she was forced to reconcile with all of her feelings - including her love for Dorothea. When a mishap in a dream spell reunited the two of them, Robin attempted to confess her feelings for Dorothea only for Dorothea to fall asleep. Despite this, since their reunion, Robin feels a stronger connection than ever with her dearest friend - even as she actively denies the growing possibility that her feelings are reciprocated. Archbishop Sophia De Borel Archbishop Sophia De Borel of the Artemesia Sanctuary is a friend of Dorothea's. In 128 F.E., Sophia commissioned Robin to translate an important document for her on site at the Artemesia Sanctauary in Ferox. Impressed by Robin's work, she and Sophia have had an ongoing work relationship wherein Sophia has entrusted Robin with other works that make their way to her temple. When Ulrich made mention of her aspirations of becoming an Archbishop, Robin said that she wishes her luck in the endeavor. When her status as an Archbishop was later confirmed by Dorothea, Robin expressed her congratulations, obviously happy for her. Sophia would later be possesed by Vlad in an attempt to assassinate Dorothea. Though Robin initially reacted with hostility towards her, once she realized that her actions were not her own it seemed as though Robin had grown concerned fro the Archbishop's safety. Siesko O'Lak During the party's travel to Alluminos from Peschaniko, Robin worked for Captain Siesko O'Lak as a scribe. During this time, she came to respect the man as an employer as well as a person. When he offered her a full time position on Aunt Hare, Robin politely declined, but told Siesko that she might have loved to join him, were it not for her personal ambitions conflicting. She entrusted the captain with a letter addressed to Dorothea and parted ways with him amicably. Asano Harloff Robin and Asano first met one another when the party arrived at Stonescast. The two were friendly with one another right away, as Robin agreed to not only translate to the party on behalf of Asano, but was immediately on board with helping her with Los Canteros and their gang. Asano provided Robin with materials to produce a scroll of Magic Missive, as well as a handmade set of winter clothes. It was also Asano who revealed to Robin that Dorothea was once a member of the Kokuja. Foltore Ron Hyouhaku When Robin initially met Foltore, she regarded him with deference and politeness, as he outranks her in the Dusk Mage Church. Since then, the two of them have not interacted. When Robin learned of his implication in the greater conspiracy, she seemed to take it at face value, though she questioned Ulrich's possible involvement. When Dorothea told Robin to be careful around Foltore and mentioned that he was the one who had asked her to marry him many years ago, her view of him changed completely. Seeing Dorothea shaken by the mere mention of his name inspired dark feelings in Robin. She now suspects that he could have implicit or explicit dealings with the party's enemies. She wants to treat him with caution until his allegiances become more apparent, but holds contempt for the man once tried to put Dorothea in a gilded cage. After reuniting with Dorothea, and learning more about her past with Foltore, Robin's feelings for him have cooled to a cautious neutrality. She has realized that Dorothea's words of caution were more about protecting her than they were to disparage him.Followers of the Dusk Mage
Lidda Hilvar Robin made an agreement with Lidda's daughter to assist her in a court case, defending her and her meadery from the threat of repossession. Though Lidda was initially resistant to the idea of being helped, Robin stood her ground and insisted on helping. Through their temporary partnership, Robin grew to respect the widowed businesswoman, and went through a great deal of trouble to get to know her and her husband. Robin is not aware that Lidda has converted to the faith of the Dusk Mage, but they parted ways amicably. Ursula Despite knowing very little about her and having little time to actually get to know her, Robin offered Ursula a job as a bodyguard and student. Ursula politely declined, stating that she had a duty to look after the children of Faircaster in the wake of Los Canteros's reign. When asked, Robin happily gave Ursula a copy of the Ars Arcanum and wished her luck while praising her for her priorities. She also told Ursula where the party was going and to keep in touch, leaving her invitation to join them open.Clergy
Ulrich Ron Lamperos Ulrich is a friend of Robin's. They met while assigned at Artemesia Sanctuary. On the 15th of Gusterus, 130 F.E. Robin found out that Ulrich is one of the authors of the White Rose Chronicles. She also discovered that he had been drawing pictures of main character Valeri that bore a strong resemblance to her. On the night of Gusterus 15th, Ulrich confessed to having romantic feelings for Robin since the time they shared together in Artemesia. He also mentioned the possibility of them getting to know one another better once Robin's denial is concluded. Though Robin did not respond to this development in an overtly positive or negative manner, the revelation flustered her rather significantly. On the afternoon of Gusterus 16th, Robin alerted Ulrich to the reality of his so-called blackouts. Mister Bitter took over Ulrich's body and commanded Robin not to speak to Ulrich again and to stop digging into the goings on in Yonara. Robin was promised that non-compliance would result in very bad things happening to Ulrich and possibly herself. Robin seems compliant with Mister Bitter's demands, though it has affected her greatly. Bishop Dafi'E Malgrave Bishop Malgrave is an old friend of Dorothea's. This fact alone made Robin fast friends with him. However, she admires his commitment to helping the poor and disabled of Yonara. She also commended him in maintaining the natural beauty of Yonara and working with the Akacheta to do so. Bela'Luna Since her rescue from the Water Tower Robin has been casually friendly with Bela'Luna, though they have not been particularly close. When Dorothea was pulled into the Great Elemental Mining Aperatus, it was revealed that Dorothea was the one who had killed Bela'Luna's father. Robin and Delphine worked together to help them talk through this history without it coming to blows. Robin gave Bela'Luna some distance after the fact, though the two did talk about the strain between them due to their varying histories with Dorothea. Even so, the two remain friendly, though not without some awkward air between them.The Party
Malopher O'Lak"You're one of my best friends."Malopher was the first member of the party which Robin met. They worked together on Aunt Hare as members of the crew. Since landfall, Robin has treated Malopher amicably. He was the only party member that Robin intentionally came out to. He was the first to learn of some of the traumas she faced in her childhood, and whenever he has shared elements of his own past Robin has always been compassionate in her response. Robin always regards Malopher in a friendly way, even when confronting him about concerns about his behavior. When the party splits up, she often seems most comfortable with him, and in combat she has often been seen providing him backup and support more often than her other comrades. Delphine Finley (Sophia De Borel)
"I know you think you're a bad person, and that you can't trust anyone, and that nobody loves you, and that even if they did they shouldn't. I know because I used to be that person. But you're one of the nicest people I've ever met, and people like you. They don't like you just because you're an oracle, or because you're cute, but because you're a good person."Robin has tended to treat Delphine (as Sophia) with the level of professional respect that might be expected of her. Though she has demonstrated a friendly playfulness around Delphine that she does not frequently show others, she has not been keen on letting Delphine learn any intimate details about her past. After Robin was outed to most of the party, Robin and Delphine had a conversation, where Robin shared some of her personal aspirations. Since then, she seems to have loosened up around her a bit. Delphine was the first party member to whom Robin revealed her connection to Dorothea, and has been transparent with Delphine about her intention of sharing most every detail of their journey with the Bishop. Delphine was also the first person in the party to realize Robin's feelings for Dorothea, and her supportive teasing never seems to fail in getting a rise out of the normally poised priestess. When she was revealed not to be Sophia De Borel, Robin told her that the lies didn't matter to her, because she liked Delphine for who she was, not because of her name. Robin has confided in Delphine more than the other party members, and seems to care deeply about her. Robin has also displayed a rather powerful sense of concern and protectiveness towards Delphine. During the Ta'LeSharo attack, Robin rushed the Ta'LeSharo head-on after they knocked Sophia out. She later described her feelings in her journals, explaining "I felt something within me snap like a twig underfoot ... Without thought, I found myself running past Mister Sivu and unleashing the most powerful spell I could muster". In Makeup and Precautions, when Delphine mentioned going out and investigating the conspiracy, Robin lost all composure and revealed a new side of herself before pleading with Delphine not to take Foltore lightly. In Whispermill, when Ulva struck Delphine with a Banishing Smite and she disappeared, Robin flew into an all out rage, causing herself bodily harm to wreak vengeance on Ulva, despite the danger. When her love for others crystalized into Testament, Robin realized a truth that she had suspected but tried not to acknowledge - she had developed a crush on Delphine. She has opted not to act on this, and instead encouraged Delphine to pursue Bela'Luna. Clem
"I'm sorry. Storyteller gave you a raw deal, and we aren't helping."Robin seems to regard Clem with respect and curiosity. She has expressed interest in learning languages from Clem, and tends to ask him questions about Morado before anyone else. Differences in their background have caused them to occasionally have disagreements or misunderstandings, but Robin does not seem to let these arguments impact her personal feelings towards him. On the 15th of Gusterus, 130 F.E. Robin and Clem touched base. During this conversation, Robin realized that Clem had noticed more about her than she had thought, calling him "sharp as a tack". After being pressed, she confessed that the person she saw in the dream spell was someone whom she missed from home. She also learned, much to her relief, that Clem has completely brushed off knowing her deadname. Robin and Clem often agree when it comes to the acceptable level of aggression in any given situation, and are often on the same sides of internal debates within the party. Ela Stonetell Robin has regarded Ela with a sort of passive respect one might expect a younger person to have for an elder. For much of the journey, she has demonstrated a general concern for Ela's well-being, but has always backed off whenever Ela would try to brush her problems off, not wanting to pry. This sort of don't-ask-don't-tell relationship persisted until Ela told Robin explicitly about the fatal illness she has and her former life as a pirate. While Robin has expressed her discomfort with Ela's stealing and her tendency to get into trouble, it remains to be seen what she thinks about Ela's past. In Spirited Conversations, Robin revealed to Elizabeth that she does not care for Ela's reckless and illegal activities. She stressed the need to guide those who have strayed from a virtuous path back onto it, provided they are willing to listen. She also told Elizabeth that she does not desire Ela's company, but tolerates her because the other party members seem to be invested in keeping her around. After the events in the ruins in the Karthanian Plains, Robin has found a newfound respect for Ela. She has taken to addressing Ela by her first name instead of her last and is generally more friendly with her. She has expressed regret to Sophia for the unkind words she has said of Ela in the past, and seems interested in assisting her in the future. When the party learned that Dorothea had been in the Kokuja, Ela came to suspect that Dorothea might be her enemy. Robin did not take kindly to this, and has both indirect and direct comments about fighting Ela to the death or seeking revenge if she hurts Dorothea. Despite this tension, she continues to regard Ela as a trusted companion. As Ela has taken on the oath of a Paladin and attempted to turn her life around, Robin seems to be delighted and supportive. Zariya Marlowe Robin took a quick liking to Zariya when she joined the party. It become clear that the two of them shared interests in scholarly pursuits, and had aligning philosophical ideals. Zariya's similarities to Kazimier sometimes mean that she and Robin end up at odds with one another, but it seems that these frictions between their personalities are something that Robin finds endearing. Kazimier Marlowe
"You're really grumpy for your age. But guess what? You're a big softy."Robin has had a tendency to leave Kazimier alone for the early stages of the journey. She recognized him as a veteran of the Kaldos Rebellion, and has privately written about feeling safer in his presence. After Robin observed his use of Infernal magic and confronted him about it, Kazimier's harsh reaction seems to have caused her to back off. Robin and Kazimier reconnected a bit en route to Faircaster from Yonara. Robin informed Kazimier that Ulrich seemed to know of a Zariya Marlowe, but regretfully informed him that she knew nothing else about the situation. She also expressed concern for him again, but complied when Kazimier expressed a wish to be left alone. After leaving Faircaster, Robin and Kazimier touched base once again, expressing admiration for one another. They also shared some playful banter, and it would seem that the walls are starting to come down there. Since then, the two have grown somewhat close and they often agree in matters of justice and accountability, though they do not always agree on the appropriate response to transgressions. As a result, they continue to butt heads from time to time, though Robin seems to be intimidated by the older man when he is angry. In the Air Tower, Robin was forced into bitter conflict with a rage-fueled Kazimier. Though they exchanged words of bravado with one another and fought bitterly on the battlefield, Robin delivered a eulogy for him after the party had been forced to kill him. She still considers him to be a dear friend.
Other Allies
Elizabeth Ron Dolfore (Avalissa Alonim) Elizabeth was the first person on Morado to see through Robin's disguise. However, Elizabeth used this as an opportunity to give Robin a compact, which she has used since then to enhance her disguise. Elizabeth has actively worked with Robin to keep her secret, and Robin appreciates it immensely. When Elizabeth asked the party to work as her bodyguards, Robin was reluctant but ultimately agreed to do so, she rationalized that she would defend Elizabeth anyway if she were attacked so she may as well be paid to do it. Afterwards she attempted to make herself useful to Elizabeth, both as a sense of obligation due to the younger woman's kindness as well as her general work ethics. She often asks for Elizabeth's opinions, advice, or general information. When Elizabeth revealed her identity to Robin and Delphine, Robin recognized the name. She pledged to keep her identity a secret and implied that once her contract with Elizabeth expires in Settledusk she would still be open to accompanying her afterwards. Robin also gave Elizabeth romantic advice regarding her feelings for Sivu and her betrothal. Robin seemed to display some distaste for political marriages, and encouraged Elizabeth to explore her feelings while she has an opportunity. The implication being that she'll continue to have the feelings regardless, she just has to decide if she'd rather regret following her heart or never knowing what things could have been like with Sivu. In Spirited Conversations, Robin further explained that when the time came for her to make a similar choice she caved to social pressure and did not act upon them, though Elizabeth missed the point. Robin also revealed a great deal about her motivations to Elizabeth. She was the first person in the caravan that Robin has entrusted this information to. Sivu At first, Robin regarded Sivu politely, but respected his general desire to be left alone. Because of this, she knew very little about him. Regardless of this, she encouraged Elizabeth to explore her feelings for him. Whether this is a signal of trust towards Sivu or a sign of her being a closet romantic remains to be seen. After Elizabeth put in a good word for her, Robin took the time to talk to Sivu and ask him about Chalchiuhtlicue and her own magical heritage. Since then, Robin has seemed to have quickly taken a liking to Sivu, having had a few conversations on a variety of cultural topics in the week or so since their initial talk. On Gusterus 22nd, 130 F.E., Robin entrusted her shield to Sivu for safekeeping whilst she maintained her disguise as Valeri. Sivu, seemingly understanding the weight of the situation, pledged to protect the shield with his life, to which Robin promised in turn to give everything she had to rescue Elizabeth in Three Point River. After Sivu's death in Three Point River, Robin has continued to be vocal about the necessity of resurrecting him. Joy Since Joy approached Robin, she has gone out of her way to be friendly towards him. When he asked her to teach him how to read she agreed without hesitation. Her first priorities when reaching Yonara included buying supplies specifically to assist her in teaching Joy. When Joy ran away from the party, Robin became angry with Kazimier for mishandling the situation. Since then, she has had a passive concern for the young man, but the maneuverings of the party's enemies took precedence. Storyteller Robin has shown interest and curiosity regarding the older man. She seems to enjoy listening to his stories and music, and respects his wealth of knowledge about the goings on on Morado. During a Dream spell, when Robin was trying to reach out to Dorothea, she heard Storyteller's disembodied voice tell her to wait, implying that other matters are more important. Robin awoke from that dream angry at Storyteller, and expressed her frustration with Clem. Vides'De of the Rosenhills Clan Robin holds a great deal of respect for chieftain Vides'De. She has sought his advice and enjoyed listening to his stories, and tends to speak to him with a mixture of polite deference and friendliness. The fact that Vides'De allowed her to reunite with Dorothea plays at least some part into her fondness for the old man, but she seems to genuinely enjoy his company as well. Arakan Harloff Arakan managed to quickly endear themselves to Robin as a result of a lengthy discussion of magical theory and a heart to heart about their similar struggles with their gender identity. Robin has been forthcoming about her own identity and with giving Arakan advice. She also leapt at the opportunity to assist them with their research into the ritual Los Canteros used to transform into a weredemon. Since that night, Robin has been very friendly with Arakan.Enemies
Mr. Bitter Robin first met Mr. Bitter through Ulrich's possessed body. He threatened Robin and Ulrich, and ordered her not to speak with Ulrich again. When they spoke, Robin was cautiously respectful to the man. She did not challenge or antagonize him. In fact, she was submissive and compliant. After the incident, she left Lidda's Meadery in tears. Now that Robin knows they name of her enemy, and someone she cares for is in direct danger, she wants the man dead. Ulva Clynestra When the party first arrived in Whispermill, Robin had already heard stories of Ulva from the Zygallic Church. They had a moment after Robin rescued Pythia during a failed summoning at the local church. Robin later threw this in Ulva's face when Ulva and Madea attempted to sacrifice Pythia to fuel an ennic ritual. Robin has lost all respect for Ulva since, and seeks only her destruction. Medea Ron Ostricla At first, Robin advocated playing ball with Medea in Whispermill. It seemed the most pragmatic option to acquire the Aegis. However, the longer the party spent there, the more she came to realize that Medea's evil ran far too deep to justify any peace she claimed to spread. Robin has come to see Medea as a monster whom the world would be best without, though she fears the day they might meet again.Family Ties
Chalchiuhtlicue - Maternal Grandmother
Ame Weiss - Mother, deceased
Karul Schwartz - Father
Religious Views
"It is for this reason one must never remain. Even if the path forward is unclear, it is imperative one take the steps forward, if only to step out into the new. Like the dusk, the lights behind us are but guidance to our past, and we must have faith in our ability to make sense of the darkness. It is my experience that as you walk out onto the way, the way will appear before you. As all things in life are."As a member of The Holy Zygallic Church, Robin is well educated in the religious practices of the Divine Quartet, especially those pertaining to The Dusk Mage. Robin also grew up in a rather rural region within Aurumo, giving her some insight into the spiritual beliefs of the region in particular. Being taught by Dorothea has instilled in Robin a passion for the Dusk Mage's ideals of constant learning and improvement. It constantly drives her to better herself. It has also instilled in her a belief that people who have sinned in the past can be repent and be redeemed by their own actions. Despite a strong adherence to the ideals of the Dusk Mage and a history of training under the Holy Zygallic Church, Robin has demonstrated a curiosity and respect for the spiritual beliefs of the Akacheta.Ars Arcanum, Visions, Chapter 5, Stanza 111, Verse 12317 - Stanza 112, Verse 1.
Social Aptitude
People tend to see Robin either as aloof and off-putting or as reserved and mysterious. As a result, Robin's social experiences are typically of one of two types. Either people avoid her, or they are magnetized towards her. As a result, Robin has little experience communicating with people who aren't already rather familiar with her, or who at least have some passive interest in her as an oddity or novelty.
Mannerisms
Robin has a tendency to joke dryly with people, and repeat the punchline when people don't understand that she is joking.
She stammers when she gets nervous.
She tends to freeze up when people are physically affectionate with her, as though she doesn't know what to do.
Hobbies & Pets
Reading historical, and archaeological records.
Exploring the ebb and flow of the magical storm that dwells within.
Speech
Robin is able to replicate speech through careful use of Minor Illusion, but it is taxing to do for prolonged periods of time and she seems to prefer that most people not know that she can do so. When she speaks in this way, the voice that is produced by the spell is quiet and emotionally muted. Whether she makes the voice lacking emotivity intentionally or not is unknown.
After learning how to speak, Robin is able to project a voice from her own body. This one is capable of emotional inflection, and tends to be a bit less soft spoken. She is also clearly putting less thought into what she says, which no doubt gives her the appearance of being slightly more down to earth.
When she is angry, she tends to raise her voice and speaks more deliberately. Though she is sometimes prone to using language that is more crass than usual.
A fair young woman with hair as white as snow. Her silence is off-putting for some, alluring for others. Her frail appearance belies impressive resilience, a sharp mind, and a powerful force of will.
Character Location
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Storm Sister
White Witch of the Plains
White Witch of the Plains
Date of Birth
12th of Vernari, 110 F.E.
Year of Birth
110 F.E.
20 Years old
Circumstances of Birth
Heavy lightning storm on the day of their birth.
Birthplace
Vayu'Ped, Aurumo
Children
Current Residence
Saptagiri Monastery, Aurumo
Gender
Female
Eyes
Emerald Green
Hair
Long, straight, voluminous white hair
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Fair
Height
5'6"
Weight
140 lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
"Anything worth something is worth everything."
"If people are not suffering as a result of a lack of specific knowledge and have naught to gain through its proliferation, there is no need for myself nor any other to disclose such information."- Robin Weiss, in correspondence with Priestess Sophia De Borel, Gusterus 2nd, 130 F.E.
Auruman,
Curprum,
Argenti,
Astrolengua,
Thorandos,
Akacheta,
Tapestry
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A painting made while imprisoned by Sharo'ka
1st of Harvestus, 130 F.E.
This piece of parchment is adorned with a painting made using Robin's calligraphy ink. It is a decorative piece, made with meticulous brush strokes and colored inks. Upon a verdant hill sits a silver tree with a crown of pale blue flowers. The azure foliage covers much of the page, each bough of flowers a swirl, each branch a silver stroke. The tree curves to form a canopy over shadows at the base. On the opposite side of the tree, there is a haiku written.
青い花
銀の木に咲く
二人だけ
Aoi hana
gin no ki ni saku
futaridake
Below blue flowers
blooming on silver branches,
Alone together.
Undying
1st of Harvestus, 130 F.E.
| る | て | し | い | あ |
| い | ん | は | つ | た |
| じ | し | こ | も | し |
| 。 | と | れ | そ | が |
| 鳳 | 悪 | を | し | 消 |
| 凰 | 魔 | 変 | て | え |
| に | は | え | 永 | て |
| 似 | 私 | ま | 遠 | 二 |
| て | を | せ | に | 度 |
| い | 止 | ん | あ | と |
| る | め | な | あ | |
| 私 | ま | た | な | |
| は | せ | は | た | |
| ま | ん | 私 | に | |
| た | に | 会 | ||
| あ | と | わ | ||
| な | っ | な | ||
| た | て | い | ||
| に | 大 | な | ||
| 会 | 切 | ら | ||
| う | に | |||
| た | な | |||
| め | り | |||
| に | ま | |||
| 灰 | す | |||
| か | ||||
| ら | ||||
| 立 | ||||
| ち | ||||
| 上 | ||||
| が | ||||
| る | ||||
| で | ||||
| し | ||||
| ょ | ||||
| う | ||||
| 。 |
Let your spirit rest knowing
Our bond was the most precious thing to me
Vainly shall angels and demons restrain me
Even death and natural law will not keep me from you.
You will see me again someday
Out of my ashes I will rise like a phoenix
Untameable as the wind am I, yet I am still in your arms
Pain
30th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
It has been some time since I have transcribed my thoughts upon the page, both out of a sense of urgency and caution. Yet I feel as though I require some outlet for these intense feelings, lest I become as unstable as some of my peers. That is not a fair thing for me to say. They are good people who happen to have deep trauma and unresolved issues. I suppose I am no different by those metrics. It just so happens that, lately, whenever I look at Kazimier I seem to be reminded of Mister Schwartz. I had thought that I had left that man behind many years ago, only to find on this journey that my memories of him still haunt me to this day. It is terribly difficult in those moments to remind myself that Kazimier's motivations and actions are not the same as his. It is terribly difficult to do anything when those memories surface. Delphine was in trouble, she needed our support, and I could not go to her! I should have been there for her, but I was too bogged down by things that happened to me fifteen years ago! This situation is unsustainable. I need to conquer those feelings.
The further this journey goes, the more broken I start to feel. For a lot of reasons. Including reasons I do not wish to write down at the moment for fear I might say too much. I have been a fool. I thought that I would escape by coming out here, yet I knew not that which I might be escaping. Yet instead of running away from something, I find myself running towards something. The closer I get, the more I wish that I could turn around and run back to where I was safe. However, I cannot in good conscience flee at this juncture. We all need to face these hardships head on. If there is something I have always been good at, it has been enduring. I still hope that one day we will be able to put these dark days behind us, and watch the sun rise again. When the light returns to my life, I fear I may cling to it and wish to never let it go, and I do not know if it will stay.
Enough of these thoughts for today! We must recover something important in this town, Whispermill. Something that the Shadowed Heart has. Once we have resolved this, I must head to the Whispering Sands. A powerful aperture lies waiting there. It interferes with my communications with others. I will not tolerate such an obstacle, and so I shall hope that my friends will help me to close it, or else find some orichalcum which resonates with it so that I can circumvent its oppressive energies. The sands have already tempted me with death once. I cannot pretend that this venture is not a suicide mission... and yet such is the state of my life that I cannot say that it is anything new. Indeed, I think that it may not be the last time I face such a challenge before the completion of my denial. Alas, I do not have the luxury of looking so far into the future.
Now, more than ever, I am starting to believe that these pages may be the last vestige of my time on this world, and that thought fills me with deep sadness. I am not truly upon these pages. I am a phantom hiding behind words, hoping that someone might take the time to see through them to the deepest portions of my soul. A spirit who longs to be vulnerable, and yet fears it terribly. Anyone who will read these words may have an idea of my lived life and some insights into my thoughts... yet I hide as much as I divulge out of fear. I have seen so much injustice and felt so much pain on this journey. I think that I approach my breaking point. When I step into that desert, into the darkness, I am not sure what path might appear before me, but I know that I must take it. If I emerge, I am not certain that I will do so as the same person. I fear the experience might break me. Still, I must go -- if not with my friends, then alone.
Anything worth something is worth everything, and that which is worth everything is something for which I would do anything.
I hope to see you on the other side, my old friend.
Robin Weiss
Third Magic Missive to Dorothea Kramer
24th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
My Dorothea,
Words cannot adequately describe the extent to which I appreciate your understanding and support in these trying times. Though my travels on Morado have been brief thus far, there are a lot of details which I have not explained fully, due to a myriad of factors, not the least of which being a lack of a method to convey long messages securely to you. There were also moments within which I was concerned that elaborating on our struggles may have put you in harm’s way, and I would never forgive myself were you to be harmed due to my indiscretion. I hope that you will not hesitate to ask questions should they arise. I shall answer any inquiries to the best of my ability.
The situation has become much more dire in the hours that transpired between the moment I sent my last missive to you and the moment you sent your response. Three of our travel companions have been kidnapped by the enemy. Two Youkai children we had assumed guardianship over as well as a young woman who had hired some of us to escort her, Elizabeth Ron Dolfore. Miss Elizabeth was taken before our very eyes via some form of teleportation magic, by an individual who calls themselves Magister Veatrum. We have followed in pursuit of this group to the town of Three Point River.
One of those whom we captured from the ranks of these kidnappers revealed to us a number of things, including the Magister’s name. Veatrum is a member of the Shadowed Heart, and they were working in conjunction with a group of smugglers who call themselves Kaspen Hush. A ranking member of these smugglers is Carlein Pereek, the sheriff of Three Point River. He also told us that while Kaspen Hush does deal in the trade of people that they do not store them within their goods safehouses. The most likely place they are to be storing our friends is the dungeon beneath the sheriff’s office. We also have reason to believe that Pereek and Veatrum will be meeting with ranking members of the Kurai Kokuja and the Vile Horde. It is during this meeting that our friends are likely to be handed off for transport to realms unknown, and so time is of the essence.
I am currently in an Akacheta encampment with the members of the Mother Sun congregation and one of Miss Elizabeth’s friends, Mister Sivu. The encampment is adjacent to Three Point River, and is most likely the safest place for me to be at the moment. I have been warned that my nature as a Priestess is likely to attract unwanted attention here, so I am currently in disguise as a peasant woman named Valeri. Three Point River is an important trade hub, but thus far I have been led to believe that its governance is rife with corruption. Everything is connected via toll bridges which require each person crossing to pay a fee of four silver pieces, or else to buy a one week crossing permit at the cost of ten gold pieces at the sheriff’s office, which is a bridge apart from any residential district. The guards are all members of a mercenary group called Balthazar’s Legion. I have also seen them with Bishop Hyouhaku.
There are also two tangentially related matters that I would greatly appreciate for you to look into. Ulrich is currently suffering under some powerful form of magic which allows someone to assume control of his body. This parasite has threatened Ulrich’s life if I interfere further with their machinations in Yonara after I warned Ulrich about the spell that had been placed upon him. I do not know what spell has been placed upon him, nor how to break it, but should we be able to find a way he ought to be a good ally.
One of my companions, Sergeant Kazimier Marlowe, has a daughter who is an acolyte of the Dusk Mage named Zariya. Miss Zariya was a student of Bishop Vorukov, and apparently taken under the wing of a figure who calls themselves Mister Vlad, who taught her dark magic and we believe to be associated with our foes. How she and Mister Vlad came to be associated, I do not know. Sergeant Marlowe had cause to believe that she was in danger, though he has been given some assurances lately that this is not the case. If you find yourself able to discover how Miss Zariya fares, it may put my companion more at ease.
I hope that you have arrived at your destination without incident. I know you must worry for my well being as well as that of my companions. I had hoped that our written correspondence would be much lighter fare when we were finalizing the details in Yonara, but the situation has changed rapidly. If you have any inquiries about myself, my companions, our foes, or anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. Of course, I also welcome conversation that does not relate to the situation at hand as well. As always, I shall look forward to your response, My Dorothea.
Your Robin
Second Magic Missive to Dorothea Kramer
22nd of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
I fear that there is much which I have neglected to share, due primarily to two factors. The first being a lack of effective means of communication, the second a naive hope that these matters were isolated incidents, and that everything would pass in time. It has since become apparent that the darkness which I find myself in shall grow stronger before it wanes, and I will not hide these matters from you. With this being said, I shall refrain from using any proper nouns unless you specifically ask for them.
The town in which my companions and I find myself has been beset by a band of lycanthropes led by a warlock who channels fiendish powers. This warlock attempted a foul ritual which raised an army of the dead. The undead sought to slay the townsfolk and wear their skin. They bore markings of a fiend and were capable of using magic. We discovered in time that this warlock was following the instructions of a fiend that was masquerading as the leader of the very resistance movement which had asked us for our assistance. We managed to slay the warlock, disrupt the profane ritual, and banish the fiend from whence it came with minimal innocent lives lost. However, we know that both of these dangerous foes were merely pawns.
When we first started this journey, we foiled the plans of a necromancer who was utilizing a street gang to produce and distribute some manner of foul concoction that counts among its ingredients mortal souls. It transforms those who use it into monsters with magical powers. This same concoction was being used by the lycanthropes, and we found evidence of a distribution center in another town we visited. We also found aberrant beings and a profane conjuration circle which we exorcised.
In another town, one of my companions was framed for a murder committed by a group of contract killers who bore the name of one of the Twenty Orders. They were hired to do the dirty work of a merchant who has connections to individuals whom we have crossed paths with since. They were going to take their victim’s children as well, but we managed to save them. I also suspect that these people have had a hand in the matter which we have already discussed at length.
Our enemy outnumbers us incomprehensibly. They have roots planted firmly in the colony, and I have no reason to doubt they have cohorts elsewhere as well. The individuals who we believe to be their leaders are unfathomably powerful. We interrogated one of the lycanthropes. He told us that they are fighting a shadow war. That they learned from the Kaldos Rebellion that such wars are best not done in the open. We know not what their endgame is, but they are evil. They seek to sow discord in a land already sorely lacking order. I have met so many people on our journey. They seek the means to live for themselves. So many of them want to learn and grow, but the resources do not exist. Dark forces are holding them down; exploiting them so that their own dark designs can come to fruition.
Though my heart grows heavy from the bloodshed and the sorrow, I must keep fighting. Even as the enemy appears more insurmountable with each week, we must persevere. I have seen too much to turn a blind eye. These dark deeds must be brought to light. Even though it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern the best course of action, we cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated into inaction. I fear they could be watching me at any moment. We cannot know who might be friend or foe, or how deeply the rot of the corruption spreads. We do not know the length to which they will go to hurt us. Already, I have been forced to cease contact with someone because their life had been threatened. I want you to know that I would never willingly cease responding to your messages. If I ever stop, you now know the reason.
I know that this is a lot to digest. However, I should mention that despite the darkness and depravity which I have been forced to face, this journey has not been without some light. I have met good people as well. I may even one day venture to call some of them my friends. The good souls are scattered, unorganized, and overwhelmed, but they do exist. There is so much potential for greatness that is being squandered for the personal gain of a few powerful individuals and those who follow them out of selfishness or fear.
I hope that one day, when this is all over, we can discuss everything over tea as though it were a bad dream. If you have any questions I shall do my best to answer them, though I fear that I am also in the midst of searching for answers for so many questions. My energy wanes. I shall need to rest before sending another missive. Please remain vigilant and keep yourself safe.
Faircaster
19th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
After a bit of travel, my companions and I have entered Faircaster proper. Our guide, Missus Asano Harloff, brought us to meet with her husband. It would seem that he and Mister Marlowe know one another. We also met Mister De Velli, the defacto leader of the resistance group we have volunteered to assist.
While they went for a drink at a local tavern, I went with Mister Malopher, Mister Clem, and Miss Ela to investigate the area wherein we can make lodging arrangements. Whilst we were there, I asked Mister Clem if he would be willing to teach me the language of the Akacheta, as well as a bit about music, to which he agreed. Apparently, those who have assumed control over the city do not appreciate music, however. We will need to revisit it another time.
Eventually, the others returned to us. I made an arrangement with the others to stay at the library, and gave Miss Ela permission to join me, so we went with Mister Harloff to the library. I spent much of the day studying in the library. I have learned some interesting information regarding my gifts before it was time to join the family for dinner.
It was there that I met the Harloffs’ child, Arakan, and enjoyed a dinner prepared by Missus Harloff. Afterwards, I went to visit with Arakan, only to find that they had gone missing. Missus Harloff, Miss Ela, and myself set about to find the missing child. Missus Harloff split away from Miss Ela and I, and later the two of us were joined by Mister Malopher and Mister Clem.
It would seem that Arakan has been sneaking away to learn magic from Mister De Velli. We found the two of them in the swamp in the midst of such a lesson. Upon telling them that Missus Harloff was worried, Arakan agreed to return home with us.
After we returned to the library, Miss Avalon and I had a conversation as well. It would seem that the girl’s room at the inn had been ransacked, and so she would like to join Miss Ela and I in the guest room. I assured her that she is welcome to take the bed and make herself comfortable.
All signs indicate to me that Arakan and I share much in common. I am not exactly certain how to broach this topic with them, but I know that I must do it. I understand their struggles, at least to a certain extent. I know that simply knowing that they are not the only one dealing with such struggles ought to be immensely helpful. Though it makes me uncomfortable to do so, I believe I shall have to share a part of myself that I hide from others, if only so that I might offer the child my support. I do not anticipate that we will remain in Faircaster for long, but perhaps the two of us can become friends. I think, perhaps, that when their magical expertise has improved that they may be able to employ Magic Missive as well. They are most likely still awake, and so I shall make haste to meet with them tonight.
Stonescast
18th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
We have arrived in the small town on the outskirts of Faircaster named Stonescast. The Aurumi architecture is unmistakable. My companions have decided to stay in town tonight before entering Faircaster properly. As we were sorting out our lodging arrangements, Mister Malopher encountered a woman who was seeking assistance. Her mastery of the Feroxi language is limited, and as such he came to me for aid. The woman seemed to be happy to see me as a Dusk Mage Acolyte, and was quite polite. I invited her to come with us to discuss her problem with my companions, informing her that I will translate.
It would seem that the woman lives in Faircaster, and that the town has recently fallen to barbarism. The Mayor of the town has been slain, as have the members of Balthazar’s Legion that were acting as guards. A band of Lycanthropes have apparently taken control of the town, claiming that they are the saviors of the people. Some of the townspeople are planning to rout the insurgents from the town, but they are lacking in numbers and in capability. It is for recruitment purposes that she has ventured into town.
The crimes that these Lycanthropes have committed are unspeakable in their abhorrence. My companions and I unanimously agreed to assist the townspeople in their battle for the sake of their town. First, however, we would need to rest and organize ourselves. The woman volunteered to lead us into town in the morning, telling us that she would stay with the local militia in Stonescast for the night.
I have heard word from Sensei. It would seem that she was entertaining Archbishop De Borel, and so she was delayed in her response. I imagine that they do not often have the luxury of conversing in person. In retrospect, I ought to have expected as much. I told Sensei to give the Archbishop my congratulations and wished both of them well. For now, there is little more I can write of. I must ensure I am well rested. For once it would seem that we have some idea of what it is we will be getting ourselves involved in.
First Magic Missive to Dorothea Kramer
17th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Dear Bishop Kramer,
I write to you on this day, Gusterus the 17th in the 130th year of the Feroxian Era, in the Chapel of the Father Moon in the town of Yonara, in the colony of Alloyus, on the continent of Morado, to test the usage of the spell Robin’s Magic Missive. Bearing witness to this feat are Bishop Foltore Ron Hyouhaku of the Dusk Mage, Bishop Dafi’E Malgrave of the Father Moon and his clergymen, Priestess Sophia De Borel of the Mother Sun and members of her congregation, Alaric Blackintosh of the Dawn Warrior, Chieftain Vides’De of the Rosenhills Clan of Akacheta and his clan, a number of my traveling companions, and others of Yonara. I would like to thank you for your assistance in the verification of my arcane theory, as well as your cooperation in this exercise. I would also like to thank Mister Blackintosh for the creation of the focus with which I am sending this message.
I pray that Robin’s Magic Missive will serve to foster a spirit of cooperation and collaboration within academia and other disciplines; that it will facilitate communication from the scattered settlements of the colony and promote bonds between Verous and Morado; that the bonds of those who must be apart due to circumstance may continue to flourish; that bringing this vision to fruition might stoke the spark of inspiration into a flame of ingenuity and usher in an era of progress, of togetherness, and of peace. For no person nor organization is a monolith, and it is through unity that visions of that which may be are made to be that which is. I pray for all of those who live in this world and for their posterity, that this dream might come to pass.
Should this message reach you without incident, I eagerly await a response. To those who might bear witness to this message, I thank you for your time and I hope that we might all come together in time to complete great works and make greater discoveries.
Sincerely,
Robin Weiss
Leaving Yonara
17th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Today, my companions and I are leaving from Yonara. Much has happened during our brief time in this town. I have reunited with a dear friend, I have made others, and I have made a wondrous magical revelation. Yet, as I write these things, I find it difficult to find the words to adequately describe much of what has transpired in the last two days. I suppose a good start would be to explain what happened with Missus Hillvar.
Ulrich proposed a partnership between Missus Hillvar and Mister Grapeswalle in which they would jointly supply funding to the construction of the Mother Sun church. In return, Missus Hillvar would gain ownership of the land upon which her home is built and the church would be built elsewhere in town. Ultimately, we selected a spot which was adjacent to the town hall. Missus Hillvar will not only spend less gold in this endeavor than she would by continuing with her previous arrangement, she will also gain some level of prestige, as well as independence.
I have some private misgivings about the arrangement. I would have liked to work to correct the ways in which Missus Hillvar has been wronged, that it might help protect others from similar mistakes being made in the future. However, I deferred to Missus Hillvar after presenting the options. I will not decide such an important decision for her. Had we rejected the offer of unity, it would have reflected rather poorly on us. Further, it may have jeopardized the church’s construction. The colony is lacking enough in resources, I could not bear to be responsible for depriving a town of support which ought to benefit the populace.
I said my farewells to Missus Hillvar and her children, as well. I must confess, I was not certain that she and I would get along very well on the outset of our business together, but I feel as though we could be friends in time. At the very least, I feel as though we have come to appreciate our differences.
Today is also the day during which my research has finally borne fruit. I demonstrated the casting of Magic Missive. I had not realized how important the proceedings would be until very recently, however I thankfully have had enough time to carefully consider the message I would send. Of course, the recipient of the first Missive was Sensei. I carefully composed a message that clearly outlined my hopes for the spell going forward, and a call for unity. I hope in time that our spell travels broadly and improves communications through all social classes and disciplines. Perhaps this discovery might even embolden other scholars to make landfall in the colony.
Yet even with all of this excitement, I cannot help but feel some melancholy, for I must leave Ulrich behind yet again. So busy were we both on our projects that we had no opportunity to even bid one another farewell. I know not when I might see him again. We had scarcely had an opportunity to catch up with one another before our reunion has become another parting. I suppose it is prudent for me to push such feelings aside, however, and focus on the matters which face my companions and I in the future.
I wonder also how Sensei fares in Saptagiri. There was much excitement in Yonara after the success of our spell, I wonder if there was a similar fanfare on her end? I attempted to send her a message this evening, but I have yet to receive a response. I think I shall remain vigilant for a while longer, in case one arrives shortly. I doubt I shall be sleeping well tonight anyhow.
7/16/130
16th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
[Under the date there is a single splotch of ink. The page is stained with tears.]
Reunion
15th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
I expected that I might have to find Chieftain Vides’De myself, but it would seem that he had found me first. He met with my companions and myself and we spoke about the Dream spell. I suspect that the Chieftain saw through me. Were the others not present I may have been more honest with him, but I suspect that he has gleaned enough.
We were in her office. There was something about seeing her in this context, like she always was, that I could not bear. I found my composure crumbling into nothingness, and I was left speechless. She comforted me, and instead of feeling the storm surge within me, I instead felt the tempest die down. The Nameless Beast was as stunned as I. I was able to simply exist in the same space as her for that brief moment in time, and it felt like I was finally safe again.
I posited my theory to Sensei regarding my two-point message conveyance method. Sensei verified that my theory was based on solid principles, but that I was lacking one key component: a sigil. I must discover a sigil that can be placed within a brazier that will tap into the weave in precisely the correct way to establish the connection. Not only this, but I must ensure that the sigil is translated into a tongue that will allow for easier replication so that others can master the spell as well, as it will only be as useful as it is prolific.
Sensei said that this undertaking could take the better part of a lifetime to understand. I told her that anything that is worth doing is worth the maximum effort. She seemed to like this comment. For the sake of making communication with others more convenient, I would very much like to discover this sigil as soon as possible. Though I now realize that my drafts as of now do not account well for the privacy of its users. I wonder if there might be a way to allow a user to fine tune such things? Perhaps encryption? Or the ability to disable the audio component? I suppose it is best that I discover the conjuration component before I begin making alterations to the message component.
I also discussed Missus Hilvar’s case with Sensei, and was very happy to hear that she has very similar concerns to my own. We spent much of the night together studying law. It was very dense material, but I found it to be therapeutic. It was a return to order that I desperately wanted. Those eight hours felt so painfully short, but it is impossible to put into words how much they meant to me. I awoke this morning feeling mentally refreshed. I now had some direction and some clarity in my mind. It has been a very long time since I last felt this way.
Priestess Sophia had apparently spent the night in my room, as Chieftain Vides’De remained after casting the spell. She started to make haste to leave, perhaps expecting me to be irritated by her presence, but I told her that she could stay. She assisted me with my morning preparations and we spoke briefly about my meeting with Sensei. Knowing now of the connection between Sensei and Bishop Hyouhaku, I think I shall keep my connection with Sensei quiet unless it is necessary to speak of it. At least so long as we remain in Yonara.
Once Priestess Sophia had left, I made my way to the dining room and sought out Mister Malopher. He appeared to be lost in thought, so I sat beside him and waited for a moment before greeting him. We spoke of the ruins in the plains, and of Missus Hilvar’s case. Mister Malopher intended to seek out the Apothecary for her permission to go into the plains, but said that he would peruse any financial documentation I can find. I thanked him and allowed him to leave.
I then approached Mister Clem and greeted him with more than my customary cheer, if his reaction was any indicator. He asked me some rather pointed questions. Moradans seem to have an earnest way about themselves. It does not do to speak around topics of conversation with a Moradan. They will strike at nuance as though striking a rock with a hammer, the objective being to extract the precious materials within. The lack of grace or propriety is of no concern, for they seek efficiency and sincerity in their interactions. Of course, barring a few rare cases, I do not seek to spread falsehoods, so when pressed in this manner, I regret to say that I reveal quite a lot more than I would normally like to. I fear the Mister Clem learned this fact in our conversation, and so I may expect more troublesome questions from him in the future.
Once I had finished with breakfast I made my way to Missus Hilvar’s meadery. I met Miss Avalissa on the way. We spoke about many things, and I invited her to accompany me to the meadery, to which she agreed. When we arrived, Missus Hilvar welcomed us. I asked her for some documentation and she led me into her cellar. It is unkempt, dank, and disorganized. A box full with documents lie within. The documents had not been sorted in a long while. She tended to an equipment malfunction before assisting me with the documents.
I reconvened with Miss Avalissa and together we sorted and poured over the documents. Miss Avalissa’s assistance was indispensable. She clearly knows a lot about property law and business proceedings. The documents paint a picture of either incompetence or cold calculation on the part of Mister Grapeswalle or one of his associates. To what end, it is difficult to extrapolate. However, the terms of the contract are peculiar. A lot about this case is so incredibly peculiar. I do not have the time to sort out all of the details, unfortunately, and so I must take what I have and construct the best defense that I can. Best not to over think things. The goal, after all, is simply for Missus Hilvar to keep her home and livelihood.
Ulrich visited me whilst I was there. Apparently Mister Marlowe and Miss Stonetell had visited Grapeswalle Manor. My horror was apparently laid bare upon my countenance, as Ulrich informed me that the situation was not as terrible as I might think. Mister Grapeswalle had apparently agreed to allow us to travel into the plains, on the condition that we take Ulrich with us. I told Ulrich that I look forward to his company, and mentioned how we have only had time to discuss business matters. He suggested we catch up on our way out of town.
I continued to work alone for a time. Eventually, the others began to congregate at the meadery, and so I began organizing the strewn documents so that we could all sit together. Mister Malopher analyzed some of Missus Hilvar’s faulty equipment, and I updated him on the discoveries made by myself and Miss Avalissa. He offered some insight of his own to the situation as well. I believe I now have my plan of attack. It is fortunate that I had done so, as we were soon off to meet Chieftain Vides’De.
Whilst we made our way to the Rosenhill Clan’s encampment, Mister Clem approached me. We spoke a bit about the conflict between the Akacheta and the Ta’LeSharo. I now understand that theirs is a history fraught with decades of bloodshed and animosity. I conceded to Mister Clem that I would not object to conflict with the Ta’LeSharo provided there was no other option. I believe that I also managed to cause Mister Clem to consider my reasoning regarding the Ta’LeSharo as well. I apologized for being short with the young man, and it would seem that our bond may have only grown stronger as a result of this disagreement. I am quite glad for it.
We arrived at the Rosenhill Clan’s territory in time to witness an apparent disagreement between the Chieftain and his grandson. They parted ways when they noticed us. I approached Chieftain Vides’De respectfully and asked him if he would offer us his wisdom. He took some time to collect himself before welcoming us. He advised that we leave before sunset, and that the Ta’LeSharo in the area have been making dark sacraments to demons in exchange for power. These profane rituals are conducted on the night of the blood moon, and so our best opportunity to leave into the plains is this evening. He provided us with some supplies and wished us luck. We returned to the Homey Hive to collect our things as well as Ulrich.
There were two groups of Ta’LeSharo in those plains, not just the Gnolls, but Hobgoblins as well. Ultimately, in order to visit the ruins, we had to dispatch both groups. What a terrible loss of life it was, but none in our rank were among the dead somehow. The Hobgoblins had taken the ruins as a base of operations, led by a pair of powerful spellcasters. We dispatched them and found Missus Hilvar’s flower. Chieftain Vides’De and the Rosenhills Clan met us in the ruins and invited us to join in their festivities. However, I tired greatly from the journey, and so I remained alone in the tower to collect my thoughts here.
Business in Yonara
14th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
They all know now. At least, enough of them that it is pointless to make attempts to conceal it. My old friend, Ulrich Ron Lamperos, is in Yonara on business. He addressed me as the person I once was before I had seen him. We were all at breakfast together, so Mister Malopher, Priestess Sophia, Mister Clem and Mister Marlowe were all there. Miss Stonetell was either ill or had partaken in too much drink to rise with the sun this morning. I found it difficult to find a way to respond in this circumstance. As he is wont to do, Ulrich spoke as though his lungs did not require air to do so, giving me little time to collect what scattered thoughts I had to articulate a response.
Mister Malopher came to my aid, however, and asked me if I knew Ulrich. He called me by my name. I responded affirmatively and Ulrich, perplexed, asked if I had changed my name. I told him that was the case. He took the news well, and though he demonstrated some difficulty adapting, it was clear that he was trying. I must remember to thank Mister Malopher for interceding on my behalf.
A young girl came by as well, before Ulrich. She had spoken with Mister Marlowe about me, and he shared his breakfast with her as she explained to me a troubling situation. Her mother was due to make an appearance in court and she had no lawyer. The girl introduced herself as Kaylin and offered me a small fee to make an appearance. I accepted out of courtesy, though I intend to return her offer when I get an opportunity to do so. Once I had agreed, Miss Kaylin left us.
Nobody spoke of the incident with Ulrich after he had left. I set about finishing my breakfast and left with Priestess Sophia to meet with Bishop Malgrave, so that the priestess could commission a sending. As we walked, Priestess Sophia inquired about my circumstances. It was clear from the questions she asked that she has not met another in my situation before. Though it makes me uncomfortable to do so, I made an attempt to explain it to her. Mercifully, Priestess Sophia seemed to learn quickly.
When we arrived at the chapel, Ulrich was there with his mentor, Foltore Ron Hyouhaku. He appears to be a Bishop of the Dusk Mage. Perhaps even an Archbishop. I took the initiative of introducing myself and Priestess Sophia. Bishop Hyouhaku accepted our introductions with a level of decorum one might expect of a Dusk Mage of his standing. The two men left our presence and I led Priestess Sophia within the chapel to introduce her to Bishop Malgrave. We conducted our business and promptly left, giving the Bishop time to tend to his duties.
We traveled to the town hall at this point to investigate the council meeting. It was there that I was cheerfully greeted by Miss Kaylin. Her mother, Missus Lidda Hilvar, apologized for her daughter wasting my time, telling me that she would not need assistance. I told Missus Hilvar that I would be the one to determine such a thing, and she seemed to reluctantly accept this response. She explained that her landlord, one Alaric Grapeswalle, was attempting to prematurely renegotiate her rental contract because she had been missing payments. We seldom had time for this brief explanation before the proceedings began.
Ulrich is representing Mister Grapeswalle, and seems to have already built up an orderly case. As I might have suspected. I was asked if I would be representing Missus Hilvar, to which I answered affirmatively, introducing myself to the council. I was asked if I was being paid for the service, and I informed them that I would be working pro bono. I explained that I had just learned of the case and, as such, knew very little of the situation. Ulrich volunteered to assist me, and we were granted a five minute recess.
Ulrich explained that Missus Hilvar’s debt to Mister Grapeswalle has been in default recently, and that it is within Mister Grapeswalle’s rights to terminate the contract if Missus Hilvar is missing payments. We went over a few more of the details before we were called back from recess. I informed Mayor Bannoura that Ulrich had given me some details about Mister Grapeswalle’s case, but moved to enact the Spring’s Grace Clause to delay the proceedings on the grounds that I still knew very little about Missus Hilvar’s side of the case. My motion was approved, and now I must make haste to assemble my case.
As we were dismissed, a group of Akacheta approached the council and inquired about the northern plains. Mayor Bannoura informed them that travel to the plains was banned due to a coming high storm. The Akacheta were not happy about this as they left. Mister Marlowe attempted to pick a fight with the Mayor, much to my dismay, but backed off. As we all left the court house, we saw Missus Hilvar having an argument with an older man. Priestess Sophia and I accompanied Missus Hilvar home while the others went in other directions.
Missus Hilvar mentioned the possibility of taking the settlement that Mister Grapeswalle is offering her, but I encouraged her to not let the man buy her out of her dream. She seemed to take this advice to heart. After checking on her bee hives, we went inside. She told us that her husband was a Viajero, and often brought back exotic plants that they had used to enhance the flavor of the mead. She showed us some of the things that he had kept. There was a safe and several books in various different languages. We were able to use a clue contained with the safe to correctly guess the combination. Inside, we found even more materials, including information regarding said exotic plants.
One such plant appears to grow in the plains north of Yonara. It was then, looking at Mister Hilvar’s illustration of the flower, that I realized that I had seen it in a dream the night prior. I mentioned this to Sophia, and told her that, were we to find this flower, we could potentially improve Missus Hilvar’s finances again. We would, however, require a majority of the five person council to allow us to make the expedition.
In time, the others came to the meadery. I mentioned my plan. As it so happens, Mister Malopher, Mister Clem and Mister Marlowe were already planning to do something similar in order to accompany the Akacheta into the plains. Their intent is to hunt the Ta’LeSharo in the area. I allowed myself to express my disapproval hunting a group of people as though they were animals. To my surprise, it was Mister Clem that argued with me about this. Ultimately, I do not believe that either of us were swayed from our initial positions. The others seemed to side with Mister Clem as well, so it seems unlikely that I will be talking sense into my companions into this matter. At least not soon.
Shortly after this, I excused myself to return to the Homey Hive. Priestess Sophia accompanied me. There, we met with Ulrich. We discussed some of the matters concerning the case further. Ulrich revealed to us that Mister Grapeswalle intends to convert the meadery into a church of the Mother Sun. I fear I wore my heart upon my sleeve too readily in this company, asking Ulrich if it is fair to pave the road to salvation over the grave of a family’s dream. Ulrich accused me of hyperbole and explained the good that would come of the added church presence, which I cannot deny.
After a brief discussion he excused himself. I sat for a time with Priestess Sophia in silence. The storm stirred restlessly. This entire situation seemed wholly unjust in ways that I could not logically explain. These feelings of frustration and anger faded as the sun began to set. I looked to the dusk, and in that moment I was reminded of days long past. Places and faces I would not be seeing soon. I muzzled the nameless beast in anticipation and felt the stirring of the storm grow less erratic but more constant. I looked to Priestess Sophia and asked her if she had noticed any peculiarities pertaining to the ways in which Miss Avalissa and Mister Sivu had been conducting themselves around one another recently. She confessed to noticing something, and I suggested that we discuss matters with Miss Avalissa.
We spoke with Miss Avalissa about matters which ought not be committed to ink. However, it would seem that a breakthrough had been reached. We shall see what comes of it in time. Afterwards, Priestess Sophia got into an argument with Miss Stonetell and I excused myself to dinner. I sat with Mister Malopher and Mister Clem. The three of us exchanged some words. In retrospect, perhaps I had said too much. I worry that my old name may not be the only secret that is let to slip before we leave this town.
Yonara
13th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Last night, I had asked Mister Malopher to wake me for his watch shift. He agreed, and so I sat beside him at the camp’s fire after being awakened. I wished for him to know that while I do not experience the same manner of prejudice that he does on a daily basis, I nonetheless have experienced a similar level of implicit hatred. I wanted him to know that I am willing to hear his troubles. We spoke a bit about such things before he pointedly asked if that was all I had wanted to speak about. He is very astute, and I am consistently impressed with the ease with which he seems able to read me.
I shared with him a brief summary of my birth and subsequent life with the man my mother married. And then I showed him the current state of my body so that he might better understand my position. Though my vestments conceal much, I knew that I could still convey the situation without being forced to put it to words, or worse, being required to disrobe. Mister Malopher was quick to understand what it was I was attempting to communicate, and he asked if anyone else in our group had been made aware. I informed him that Miss Avalissa noticed in Alluminos and that I suspected that Captain Siesko was also aware. Mister Malopher offered me his pipe so that I might calm my nerves.
I accepted the kind gesture, but choked on the smoke. I know not how he uses the device, or what he fills it with, but it does seem to help him keep calm. He took the pipe back from me and shared some of the intimate details of his own past. Details which I shall not recount, but which have given me a window into the life Mister Malopher had led in his youth. Afterwards he told me that I ought to go back to sleep. Though I quite enjoyed the quiet serenity of the moment, he was correct. Furthermore, he was awake in order to protect us all from potential threats and not to keep my company. I returned to my bedroll, a bit more at ease knowing that at least one of my companions is more aware of my struggles.
I awoke this morning to a Sending from Sensei. It feels as though it has been months since I have felt her presence upon me, yet it has been less than two weeks’ time. As I worked through my response, Priestess Sophia approached. So consumed by the task ahead was I that she nearly caught me. She must know that I cast a spell in that moment, but so long as she does not know which spell, my cover remains. She eyed Sensei’s letter curiously, but left the matter alone. I do not recall what it is that she had wanted in the first place, but she left after a brief exchange.
Once Priestess Sophia had left, I sent my response to Sensei. I received another Sending shortly afterwards. Sensei wishes for me to find a fully realized Druid and have a Dream spell cast upon me so that we might communicate at length. The prospect is exciting, though I must wonder what it is that Sensei wishes to speak about at such length. My mind has been wracked with numerous possibilities. I hope that I have not upset her, or acted unbecomingly. Perhaps she is concerned about the goings on of our journey thus far? If that is the case, how much am I to tell her? Am I even ready to see her again? As much as I have longed to do so, I am concerned that I might embarrass myself yet again.
As I fretted over such thoughts, I fumbled with my makeup, producing an undesirable result. Before I could correct it, Mister Joy, a youth who had joined our group as we left Bend River, stumbled upon me and promptly left. I made haste to pursue him, but I mishandled the situation and believe I may have upset him with a poor choice of words. Before we broke camp, I spoke to Miss Avalissa about the state of affairs in Bend River and the need to send word to the lord of the land. Miss Avalissa informed me that she has met one Lord Melchior, and that if we can find someone who can cast Sending in Yonara, she can send a report to him.
Soon enough, the caravan was set to leave. I spoke to Mister Joy one last time in an attempt to salvage our interactions earlier in the morning. To my surprise, he had thought little of it. He asked if he had seen something that he was not supposed to, to which I conceded that I am sensitive about my appearance and he simply caught me at a bad time. He stared at me an awful lot, though I cannot say why. Had he noticed something amiss? Or was it something else? I did not ask.
He expressed some difficulty understanding my speech due to the complexity of my language, and some discomfort with me referring to him formally, so I made efforts to speak more plainly. I explained honorifics to him briefly and he said that I must be very smart to remember so much. I told him that while I may be more gifted than some in such regards, I am far from the most gifted individual I have met in the clergy. I also told him that everyone must learn new things from time to time, and that I would be willing to teach him anything if he wished. He asked me to teach him to read and I agreed.
We parted ways after that, and I spent some time in the wagon. Soon, however, we were beset by assailants. Goblins flying through the air on serpents. I heard them called Ta’LeSharo. They spoke a tongue which I did not recognize, and so I cast Comprehend Languages upon Mister Malopher, so that he might be able to relay the enemy’s stratagems to the others. They flew wide of one another in an attempt to encircle the caravan. One of them bore some sort of alchemical fire. Mister Malopher shot the person with the fire dead, while Priestess Sophia fired a spell at the one approaching from our other flank. He told his associate to kill the spellcaster.
In seconds, the Goblins and their steeds were upon us. They swiftly felled Priestess Sophia, but Mister Sivu emerged from the caravan and healed her before taking a position to protect me. I felt something within me snap like a twig underfoot when I saw the malice with which our adversaries attacked Priestess Sophia. Without thought, I found myself running past Mister Sivu and unleashing the most powerful spell I could muster, allowing the storm to carry me back to safety. I wounded the Goblin who had felled the Priestess and killed his animal companion. Mister Malopher would later tell me that he called me Storm Sister and expressed indignation at my attack.
His companion attacked me with a knife that cut deeply. The wound began to bleed profusely. With a thunderous explosion, Mister Malopher fired his weapon into my assailant, killing him. The last of our attackers, whom Priestess Sophia and I had attacked, rushed past Mister Sivu in order to attack me, but Mister Sivu struck him dead before he could. With the threat managed, I rushed to Mister Malopher’s side, letting him see my face so that he would know that I had no opportunity to fix my makeup in the morning. I told him that I feared that someone might notice if they drew close enough to heal me. He tore a piece of cloth and bandaged my wound. I asked him about what our attackers had said and it was at this point that I was made privy to certain details. The area was scouted for additional threats, but none were found. Thus, the caravan continued on its way to Yonara.
I took some time during the last leg of our journey to check on Priestess Sophia.Thanks to Mister Sivu’s healing she was stable and alert, although I do not doubt that her body aches from the shock of her wounds. The moment I approached her she looked as though she was ready to leap at the opportunity to heal my much less serious wound. It was a firm reminder that while the Priestess has a tendency to pry where she perhaps ought not to, she holds a genuine compassion and care for others. I gently declined her services and informed her of the events that unfolded after she withdrew to a defensive position. She expressed gratitude to me for defending her and I told her that I knew that she would have done the same were our roles reversed. She grew weary from conversation at that time and, not wishing to tax her body more than necessary, I asked her to relax for a while and withdrew myself from her presence.
Not much longer afterward, we had arrived in Yonara. The town is quite beautiful. A lovely, refreshing sight after all that we had dealt with to arrive here. I spied a chapel devoted to the Father Moon and, whilst my companions went onward to gather supplies, I stole away to the church. It was there that I introduced myself to Bishop Malgrave. He welcomed me warmly and spoke fondly of Sensei. Apparently they met while they were still non-denominational and have retained contact over the years. I procured some basic supplies from the chapel’s stores and was invited to lunch by Bishop Malgrave, provided I would accept alms as lunch. I informed Bishop Malgrave that I would take no issues with such a meal, and enjoyed some conversation with the Bishop as I ate.
Bishop Malgrave mentioned matters within the town a few times during our time together, but despite my interest in assisting he always expressed that he wanted me to enjoy my time in Yonara rather than becoming involved in such things. When I told him that he and his followers were doing excellent work, work that seems to be difficult to encounter in this region, he said that they would not have been able to do so without assistance. The local Akacheta tribe, the Rosenfields tribe, has been assisting the settlers in maintaining the land. Their leader, Vides’de, is a druid. When I asked if Chieftain Vides’de would be able to cast a Dream spell, explaining the circumstance, Bishop Malgrave said that he could arrange it. He asked for nothing in return, despite my having offered services in exchange. He also told me that he and Mayor Sonya Bonnoura are capable of Sending.
When our business had concluded, I bade a fond farewell to Bishop Malgrave, telling him that I would visit him again while I stayed in Yonara. I reconvened with the others near the center of town, and was invited to see a theatrical adaptation of the White Rose Chronicles’ first volume. Miss Avalissa seemed to be particularly interested in seeing it, and Priestess Sophia, Mister Clem, and Mister Sivu had also agreed with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
Mister Malopher approached our rendezvous point at this time and Priestess Sophia had gone forth to meet him. I know not precisely what had transpired, only that Mister Malopher seemed discontent with Priestess Sophia’s company. She attempted to lock arms with him, but he pushed her away when she touched him. Fearing an escalation of conflict, I approached. Two guards approached as I did, apparently with similar concerns. The guards asked Mister Malopher if he was being bothered, to which he said that he was not. Priestess Sophia excused herself and took Mister Clem with her. The guards dispersed, and Miss Avalissa and Mister Sivu had matters to attend before the play. With it just being the two of us at this moment, I offered to purchase a drink for Mister Malopher if he would join us for the play. Though it was early, we walked together to the venue, Lidda’s Meadery, to secure a position for our rather large group before the meadery became congested.
I found a place for us to sit while Mister Malopher purchased food and drink. The steamed buns at Lidda’s Meadery were authentic and delicious. Upon my first bite into one I could feel the storm begin to stir restlessly. I felt as though I had been transported to another place. A place that I had called home. But when I looked up to see that familiar face, Mister Malopher was there, sitting in their place. The Nameless Beast howled, and the clouds threatened rain, but I maintained control. At least, I kept the storm from overtaking me. I believe that I had betrayed some of my sentiments, but Mister Malopher has more tact than to address it in public.
I looked at the mead which Mister Malopher had bought me. I deliberated for a few moments, but decided that I would try it. I felt confident in that moment that I would not lose myself, and that Mister Malopher would know what to do if I did. The mead was subpar, but I was not certain if that was a quality of the beverage or if I simply was not accustomed to the flavor of alcohol. I looked to Mister Malopher to gauge his response, however, a passerby spilled his drink at that moment, causing a bit of a commotion.
In time we were joined by our companions. Miss Avalissa eagerly explained the premise of the White Rose Chronicles to Mister Sivu as we awaited the start of the performance. The adaptation was abridged, of course, but generally faithful to the source material. Some of the subtext of the original was brought to the front and there were some creative liberties, including an ably performed but narratively redundant musical number. The group of performers clearly lacked experience and resources, but were quite capable. Ultimately, the play struck every point in plot and in theme which one might expect, and I would say that the experience was an overall pleasant one, at least to my casual viewing.
Some of our group, such as Mister Malopher, had decided that they were uninterested rather early on. I provided him with some funds so that he could procure another drink for himself. He spent the remainder of the performance at the bar. I also spied some interesting behavior from some of my other companions, however, those matters are not ones which I shall devote ink to at this moment. It is none of my business.
When the play concluded, we walked to the inn together. It is wonderful to have a room of my own. It feels like it has been a very long time, but it has been less than two weeks. Though as I write this journal I can still feel the storm stirring. Something about the performance had struck me differently than reading the original volume. Was it the theatrics? Was it my companions’ presence? Or was it me? The storm thunders rhythmically with my heartbeat, but below the thunder I can hear the Nameless Beast growl. I feel a sleepless night coming. It is moments such as these in which I am reminded why it was that I could not remain.
Remember
10th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Mayor Sieman Tarren betrayed us. Sheriff Loyal Ruel and his deputies were murdered in cold blood on the street of Bend River. Our witness was also murdered. The children are safe. Mister Kostas is dead. May the Gods watch over Bend River.
Investigation
9th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
I was awoken today by a clamor at the door to the room Priestess Sophia and I were sharing. It was Mister Clem. He held the body of the village blacksmith. He had been shot several times in the night. Mister Clem apparently heard the blacksmith’s daughter crying and left the inn to investigate. No sooner had I recommended he bring the body to the Sheriff than Sheriff Ruel himself had arrived. Priestess Sophia and I made our morning preparations before meeting with the Sheriff in the men’s room.
A bloody knife had been found underneath Mister Malopher’s bed, and so he was taken into custody as a suspect for the murder. I assisted Priestess Sophia in performing an autopsy of the body, which informed us that the man had, indeed, been shot to death. There was a struggle, and his limbs were tied. We both pledged our services to Sheriff Ruel. He was thankful, but I could tell through his hesitation that he noticed something amiss with me. I was too rushed this morning, and so I was required to use my last resort once again.
We followed Sheriff Ruel to his office, where a crowd had already begun to gather. Mister Malopher was contained in a cell and was trying to sleep. Sheriff Ruel had a deputy produce a few cots for Priestess Sophia and I to rest in while Mister Clem returned to the smithy to comfort the children. Our rest was tenuous at best, given the circumstances, but better than nothing. When the Sheriff returned, the crowd was working itself into a frenzy. Mister Malopher was briefly questioned, and then Priestess Sophia left with the Sheriff to pacify the crowd.
Mister Malopher requested to see the body himself, and he was allowed to do so. With his ballistics expertise, he was able to more accurately assess the wounds and pinpoint the type of firearm used to inflict them. He shared this information with the deputy, and with Sheriff Ruel once he and Priestess Sophia had returned to the office. Mister Malopher had spent a large portion of time with the blacksmith the previous day, and recalled that he once owned a musket, a sort of large firearm that could produce the type of wounds present on the corpse. I suggested we check the smithy’s ledgers for evidence of the sale.
The Sheriff called a town meeting at the gallows and ordered the noose removed. Priestess Sophia and I stood by with the Sheriff as he announced that Mister Malopher was to be deputized in order to assist in the investigation. He was given a Fool’s Bangle, some sort of magical device which ensures the cooperation of fugitives. The crowd was noticeably hostile, but dispersed without much incident. A boy did attempt to assault Mister Malopher, but Priestess Sophia managed to calm his temper and send him on his way. Miss Stonetell also joined us at this juncture.
Priestess Sophia, Mister Malopher, Miss Stonetell, Sheriff Ruel, his deputies and myself arrived at the smithy some time later in the morning. After pouring over the blacksmith’s poor records, I noticed some inconsistencies with his bookkeeping. The sorts of inconsistencies that do not arise through erroneous arithmetic. I brought these records to the Sheriff’s attention. A wanted poster had been placed on the body of the deceased in a rather grisly fashion. It charged him with smuggling and treason. Mister Malopher surmised that if the smith was skimming funds, it was likely that he had a hidden storage space somewhere on the premises.
We investigated the scene of the crime, where I noticed that the blood near the scene of the murder was pooling unusually. Mister Malopher removed the training dummies set up in this area, revealing spring loaded panels that could be removed. A large, secret compartment lied underneath. It was mostly empty, but we found evidence of extraplanar contraband. There is a non-zero probability that the blacksmith was supplying the manufacturers of our mystery drug in Alluminos. With this evidence, Mister Malopher, Sheriff Ruel and I surmised that it was likely that the smithy had maintained his underworld connections while in the village, and likely was assassinated to tie up a loose end.
Sheriff Ruel was prepared to release us, it becoming apparent by now that Mister Malopher had not committed the murder. He did not seem prepared to investigate further. This angered Mister Malopher, who gave the sheriff a verbal thrashing. The Sheriff became agitated and jeered Mister Malopher, resulting in fisticuffs. Sheriff Ruel proved to be no match for Mister Malopher in such a physical altercation, and ended up conceding. He confessed that he worked extremely hard, harder than his peers, to obtain his position in Bend River. He had, to Mister Malopher’s estimation, worked twice as hard for half of the reward. Sheriff Ruel admitted that this was the case. The Sheriff seems to feel obligated to carry on his position under a specific set of parameters to avoid crossing the village.
Ultimately, Mister Malopher convinced the Sheriff to continue on with the investigation, as we had a fresh trail to follow. While his methods were less than elegant, I was happy to see the favorable payoff. I also did not wish to leave the village without settling the matter. We followed the trail left by the murderer to the river. Priestess Sophia spotted a knife, which Miss Stonetell investigated, finding and decrypting a cipher concealed within. It revealed the name of a location, an abandoned iron mine located the near the town. We returned to town in order to obtain horses and make our way to the mine.
It was there that we reconvened with Mister Clem and Mister Marlowe. Sheriff Ruel did not have enough horses for all of us to properly reach the mines, and so Mister Marlowe and Priestess Sophia left to acquire an additional horse. When they returned, Priestess Sophia and I went into town to acquire suitable protections against the rain, as a storm appeared to be nearing the town. Once we all had appropriate supplies, we divided the horses between pairs. A horse named Black Thunder seemed to take a liking to me. Sometimes it would seem that the Quartet Divine has a keen sense of humor. Mister Clem opted to travel with me, which did little to ease my nerves. Thankfully, he behaved like a gentleman, and so, to my knowledge, I continue to avoid arousing suspicion for the time being.
When we arrived at the mines, we found the hills nearby filled with pools of pink fluid surrounded by shelves of fine minerals. Mister Malopher placed an arrow within one of these pools, and we watched as the viscous fluid appeared to corrode it. We were beset by rogues shortly afterward. Mister Clem charged forward while Sheriff Ruel and Mister Marlowe charged the flanks. I employed my magic to give Mister Malopher cover whilst he provided long-range support. Priestess Sophia took cover and also provided long-distance support. Our foes were dispatched in short time, however, one of them had fled into the mines.
Mister Malopher noticed a strange mark on our assailants’ hands, which Miss Stonetell identified as a marker for a particular group of contract killers. We proceeded into the mines with caution. I took hold of a piece of Priestess Sophia’s clothes as we proceeded into the dark cavern. My companions, who all had methods of seeing within this darkness, apparently had spotted some fungus shortly before we were surprised by another of our foes. He disrupted the fungi with an explosive arrow, and the chamber was soon filled with dangerous spores. Desperately, I reasoned that I may be able to utilize my last resort in order to adapt my eyes to see in the darkness. I backed out of the cloud of spores and attempted to do this. Thankfully, I was successful.
The others marched forward, pursuing the attacker while Mister Malopher stood sentry at a passage the led further into the mines. I regrouped with Mister Malopher and Sheriff Ruel in time for another assailant to fire upon Mister Malopher. I was caught in the explosion of his arrow, but it was a minor injury. Mister Malopher felled this foe as our initial attacker attempted to flee the others. He attempted to intimidate me into allowing him his escape, however, I managed to find courage, and struck him with an Ice Knife as my companions emerges and managed to subdue him. Sheriff Ruel and the others attempted to intimidate the young man, and he revealed what little information he knew. He told us that another was deeper within the mine, and that he would know more.
The mine was filled with dangerous traps, however. I remained in the rear of our ranks alongside Mister Malopher whilst Miss Stonetell, Mister Marlowe, and Priestess Sophia proceeded onward in an attempt to survey the area and disarm the traps which were laid out for us. In short time, we had found the man we sought. He had fortified himself in a dead end, but had armed himself with a powerful firearm. I avoided harm through strategic use of cover, as well as through Mister Marlowe’s courage charge of the man, who focused most of his fire upon him instead of the rest of us. Ultimately, the last of these assassins was slain.
The Assassin held a note upon his person, which Miss Stonetell, Mister Malopher, and myself had managed to decipher after some deliberation. The letter, in brief, incriminated Mister Kostas as none other as the one who had commissioned the blacksmith’s murder. The group debated our next course of action, eventually deciding that we must return to town tonight and seek Mayor Siemmn Tarren’s assistance. Upon our arrival, Sheriff Ruel, Priestess Sophia, and myself sought an audience with Mayor Tarren. The others set about to collect further evidence to incriminate Mister Kostas.
Mayor Tarren was, at first, rather dismissive of our presence. However, Priestess Sophia berated the man, much to his surprise. I asked Mayor Tarren if he had any samples of Mister Kostas’s handwriting, so that I might compare it to the handwriting of the note. He reluctantly obliged, and I found enough similarities in the handwriting to confirm our suspicions that it was likely drafted by Mister Kostas. At this time, the others returned with a civilian in tow. Apparently, an agent of Mister Kostas’s had asked the young man to acquire the hidden bounty lying in wait for the assassins, most likely to hide the evidence.
With all of this evidence coalescing, Mayor Tarren agreed to cooperate with our plan. Sheriff Loyal told us to spend the night recuperating. Tomorrow morning, Sheriff Loyal and Mayor Tarren are to confront Mister Kostas in a town meeting, presenting the evidence and apprehending him. We are to locate the adopted children of the man Mister Kostas had killed and take them with us, so that bad actors do not abscond with them with their own nefarious purposes. Before I took my leave, I apologized to Mayor Tarren on behalf of my companions for their lack of propriety and thanked him for his assistance. He said that he did not deserve such praise, as his standing as Mayor of a small town demands no respect. I assured him that, given the influence Mister Kostas has over his town, the fallout over his crimes will demand ample leadership. I then took my leave.
At long last, I have had a real bath. The unease of the seas and the road have finally left my flesh, and despite the tensions, there is the slightest air of levity. Miss Avalissa invited Priestess Sophia and I to share a room in the Mayor’s estate with her. I listened to Miss Avalissa and Priestess Sophia chat. I learned a number of things about both of them, however, in respect of their privacy I shall not disclose such things here. If these details become relevant at some point on our journey, perhaps they might be disclosed in the future. One detail that I will relay is that Miss Avalissa expressed an interest in being friends with us once our journey has concluded. I told her that I had similar feelings as well.
Miss Avalissa also expressed hope that the makeup she had provided me with had proven useful, to which I assured her that I very much welcomed and appreciated her assistance. Priestess Sophia eyed me with a suspicion she deigned not conceal. The Priestess’s inquisitive nature has proven useful in our journeys thus far, and so I know it well already. Long have I benefited from the eventfulness of our travels to draw attention away from myself, but it would seem, perhaps, that my fortune has waned. I shall exercise caution not to allow Priestess Sophia to corner me for a time in hopes that she will lose interest in my secrets. In the meantime, I must steel myself for the eventuality which I had already suspected was on the horizon.
Bend River
8th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Today the caravan arrived in a town called Bend River. It is a one road town that seems to consist primarily of agricultural space. We arrived in time to witness a public execution. It was a ghastly scene; one that put me ill at ease as the caravan began to stop. Priestess Sophia went to speak with the sheriff, who walked back with her to meet us. Sheriff Loyal Ruel was polite and welcoming to our party and gave us a briefing of the facilities within the town before pardoning himself.
I accompanied some of the others to the inn, so that we could procure boarding before the demand produced by the caravan resulted in us having no such shelter. The inn’s availability was extremely limited. However, fortuitously, there remained two rooms available. Priestess Sophia paid for them. Each room is capable of accommodating three people, and as such, it seems that I will have no choice but to sleep in a room with two of the others. I would have preferred to have private quarters, yet even so, I must concede that such a thing seems to be a luxury in this region. I suppose I must steel myself for the possibility that I may not be able to enjoy a night’s sleep without some company.
Once we had located out rooms, I met with Miss Avalon. I may have neglected to mention her in earlier entries, however, Miss Avalon is a member of Priestess Sophia’s flock. The two of us required supplies in town, and so I agreed to accompany her on her errands. Many of the others in our group had already left ahead of us to procure their own supplies, and we met them on our way. Miss Stonetell had business with the herbalist, and it so happened that Miss Avalon and I had our own reasons for going there as well. As such, the three of us made our way to the home of an elderly woman named Vannera.
Madam Vannera assumed that the three of us were all Disciples of the Dusk Mage and made some remarks that, frankly, were unoriginal -- though not entirely incorrect. It seems that she is a follower of the Father Moon, and Miss Stonetell garnered some attention from her through the recital of a story. It would seem that Miss Stonetell is also a follower of the Father Moon, though not of the clergy. I attempted to browse for the supplies I had come for, but was distracted when Madam Vannera and Miss Stonetell began haggling. It would seem that Miss Stonetell wanted something for which Madam Vannera requested digits. Needless to say, Miss Stonetell was interested in securing an alternative method of payment.
However, this did not come to pass. Madam Vannera became very agitated and asked us to leave. We did so, but not without an outburst from Miss Stonetell. There was an altercation between the two ladies, though it did not come to blows. Madam Vannera opted to flee, though not before setting her home ablaze. I scrambled for aid, sounding an alarm with Minor Illusion. Sheriff Ruel met me and asked me to lead him to the scene. The house had already erupted violently into flames and collapsed upon itself. I assisted the guard in securing Madam Vannera’s livestock and tended the scene with them to ensure that further aid would not be needed.
Once the guard had investigated the scene sufficiently and the livestock had been successfully contained, Sheriff Ruel brought me back to his office. He thanked me for my assistance and mentioned a possibility of us working together in the future, to which I informed him that I am willing, though quite hopeful that my services will not be needed during our stay. He asked for my testimony of the events, and I told him what little I knew concretely. Unfortunately, the gulf of my ignorance prevents me from offering a satisfactory answer to such a question. Sheriff Ruel asked me to direct Miss Stonetell to him when I saw her next, so that a more complete description of the scene could be established, to which I agreed.
Priestess Sophia returned to the inn as I was collecting my thoughts and we exchanged words for a short while until she went about calling her familiar back once again. Apparently, she had inquired about food and was informed that there was no kitchen at the inn. We will be required to purchase food directly from the farms. We reconvened with Mister Clem and set about going to a farm. There, we were told of a new method of food preservation that was gaining traction in the northern portion of the colony. The method is called pickling, and it was apparently discovered accidentally by a seafarer. I bought some of these pickled goods, both to out of a necessity for food as well as a fair share of academic curiosity. I must investigate this briny mixture that these turnips are preserved in. Perhaps if I can learn to recreate it, we may be able to preserve higher quality rations for longer periods of time.
Whilst at the farm, we were informed that the vegetables that Priestess Sophia and Mister Clem could not be washed on that end of the town, as Mister Kostas owns that portion of the river. Evidently, he boils the waters of the river and sells it in kegs. Thus, he is protective of the water that his land is adjacent to. Apparently, the merchant was once a voyager and helped to found the town. We went to the merchant’s estate and were invited to dinner. Mister Kostas was already keeping Miss Stonetell as company as well.
Priestess Sophia spoke with Mister Kostas for a while. Apparently, she had a run in with a creature called an Equestradon. It is a reptilian creature that resembles a horse, and uses that likeness to lure unsuspecting prey. Evidently this is how Calliope, Priestess Sophia’s familiar, was destroyed the second time. Mister Kostas also informed us that other individuals have come to Bend River and attempted to found churches. These individuals all eventually gave up.
Mister Kostas is the only person in the region who willingly hires Planetouched individuals. He told us of an oft misinterpreted decree made by Almoria the Sunbow, stating that the soul of an individual manifests in their appearance and bearing. Many of the locals seem to interpret this to mean that Planetouched people appear the way that they do because their souls are lower quality than those of others. Mister Kostas says that he does not subscribe to this interpretation.
The man who was executed this morning was apparently one of Mister Kostas’s former employees. He was apparently known to steal from farmers and sell the tools Mister Kostas loaned him. The night he was finally arrested, he apparently got into an argument with Mister Kostas and was asked to leave. When he left, he had broken into a farmer’s home and kidnapped a woman. This was the final straw that condemned him to death.
Mister Kostas also told us that Sheriff Ruel was apparently a friend of his. Mister Kostas informed us that he taught Sheriff Ruel everything he knows. As much as he presents himself as a moral person, I cannot help but feel ill at ease at the prospect of a law enforcement agent learning their craft from a merchant. Furthermore, a close relationship between the two smacks of a conflict of interest. Mister Kostas seems to bear a disproportionate amount of power in comparison to the mayor of the town.
Before long, we excused ourselves from the estate. It was at this point that I informed Miss Stonetell that Sheriff Ruel wanted to speak with her and reassured both Miss Stonetell and Priestess Sophia that the Sheriff did not seem to be working under any assumption of guilt on her part. Nonetheless, Priestess Sophia and Mister Clem both wished to be present for the questioning. I know not why. When we arrived at the Sheriff’s office, I opted instead to return to the inn and see how Mister Malopher had fared on this chaotic day. It seems as though he had a much more relaxing day. I am glad.
Mister Malopher inquired about the fire, as well as our companions’ gathering with the Sheriff. When I told him what I knew he excused himself and went to the Sheriff’s office to investigate. It was sunset, and so I decided to enjoy the fresh air whilst I meditated. Priestess Sophia went straight to bed after leaving Sheriff Ruel’s office. Once I am done writing this journal, I suppose I shall do the same. Something about this town is very strange, but I am not sure if it is simply a bad first impression, or perhaps a difference in sensibilities. In any case, I believe that Priestess Sophia tires of the small town, and I must reluctantly agree with such a sentiment.
Disquiet
7th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
The rain was still falling, albeit much more sparsely, this morning. I doubt that any of us slept comfortably, but after the cold and rainy night it is perhaps quite fortuitous that none of us awoke with a mild illness, save for Miss Stonetell, who slept all day. Miss Avalissa caught my gaze as we woke up and apologized, as there was no reasonable way for us to find privacy under the circumstances. When the others were occupied, I hastily attempted to compose myself, but my attempt left much to be desired. Even after Miss Avalissa made some adjustments, it was barely serviceable. I was forced to employ my last resort and hope that nobody would come too close over the course of the day.
The rain turned the road into thick mud, which apparently swallowed up the wheels of our wagons overnight. I was able to mold the earth out from around or wheels and carve out niches for our wagons, much to Miss Avalissa’s delight. I aspire to perform with excellence, both to meet my own expectations as well as to find a way to properly return the kindness that I have been shown by my employer.
Once the wagons were unearthed and the other caravans were ready to depart, we set off. I attempted to distract myself from my own anxiety by reading excerpts from the Ars Arcanum. It served to ease my mind and deter others from bothering me. Eventually, Priestess Sophia’s familiar, Calliope, attempted to chew on the holy text. I closed the tome and spent some time playing with the kitten.
The roads were muddy and traveling was difficult throughout the day. I would not be surprised if we made half as much progress as we ought to have, were the conditions more favorable. Tonight, however, we were able to camp out again. I could not have anticipated seeing a tent as a luxury, but after the previous night, I must be reluctantly grateful that we are not confined to our wagons. Miss Stonetell woke up just as a bloodied Priestess Sophia returned from a hunting excursion. Of course, by this time of night it was nearly time to retire. The road hides more perils than I had anticipated.
Travel
6th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
I was awoken in the middle of the night to the sound of screams and clamor. I readied my shield, but by the time I had removed myself from the tent my companions had already dispatched the threat. A large insect had been attempting to eat the lumber being transported by a family traveling with the caravan. It sounded as though the insect had a partner, but it must have stolen itself away before it was slain. Upon closer inspection, the creature bore a resemblance to a mantis, with some sort of digestive acid, which likely aids it in the breaking down of dense wood or bone. A curious specimen indeed, though it quickly dissolved within its own digestive enzymes upon its death, preventing further investigation.
When daylight had finally come and all were starting to awaken for the morning, Miss Avalissa stole me away in a contrivance and hid us with an illusion so that I could make my morning preparations. It was a surprising, but most welcome act of solidarity. My companions and I were invited to join a merchant for breakfast, apparently having piqued his interest. I graciously accepted the meal and maintained my silence as our host spoke with Priestess Sophia. He seemed quite interested in us, as well as in Miss Avalissa. Once we had finished our meal and returned to our wagon, it seemed as though a number of my companions found his actions suspicious. Perhaps I am more naive than I gave myself credit for, for I detected nothing terribly amiss from the interaction.
Not long afterwards, the caravan was making preparations to make for the road again. A distant thunder rolled across the plains, heralding the coming of rain. Surely enough, we were soon met with a downpour. I remained in the wagon and watched as Priestess Sophia set about the ritual to summon her familiar, which had apparently expired in the previous night’s battle. My interest seemed to confuse her somewhat, but I simply wished to observe the casting for academic reasons.
I spent a large portion of the day quietly meditating while enjoying the sound of the rain pounding on the covering of our wagon. When at last night had fallen, the rain had yet to cease. We had little choice but to sleep within the wagon. Our company had two wagons, as we must accommodate Priestess Sophia’s followers as well as our companions. Even so, I remained in the main wagon, despite the cramped quarters. If I must be crowded in my sleep, I would rather be crowded by people I have already established some semblance of trust with.
The Sun Sets on Alluminos
5th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Today marks my first Arsday on Morado. How poetic it is that this day is also the one in which the sun shall set on my time in Alluminos. My companions and I enjoyed breakfast together before going our separate ways in order to set our affairs straight before we were to join the caravan and leave the city. Having spoken to Captain Siesko yesterday, the only other matter I had to settle was to announce my departure to Bishop Da’Koga.
As I walked the streets of Alluminos on this day, I realized that it was the first time I had done so independently of others. Despite being much smaller than the cities of the Empire, Alluminos felt so much less stable. The city walls had yet to be fully constructed. There was word of dangerous beasts attempting to breach the perimeter. The guard presence has also been lax. I am certain that to some the lack of order feels like liberation, but it only serves to stoke my concerns for what is in store for my companions and I as we travel westward.
Amidst this tenuous atmosphere there also loomed another unshakable phenomenon. The woeful omnipresence of division and of intolerance. It has been staggering to see how frequently and with such little care that the people of the colony seem to wear their prejudices. Sometimes, it is the airs that are put on to vaguely mask or make light of the condescension that is held for people from Verous. I must say that we from Verous are not absolved of equal and opposite behavior towards those from Morado, however.
Sometimes, it is a sense that the members of certain racial or ethnic groups do not belong. This is certainly present in Imperial lands, but I have not seen it rear its head quite so much as I have had since I met Mister Malopher. The first time I ever had to utilize my magical gifts for my own defense, it is directly because someone thought it justified to threaten the lives of my companions simply because Mister Malopher wanted to stay in an establishment which he had been in before the arrival of our would-be assailants. Sometimes people voice this contempt with their words, and other times it is betrayed by their eyes. When Mister Malopher joined us at the rendezvous point, the silence that fell upon the other travelers was palpable.
But it seems that I have gotten ahead of myself. When I arrived at the monastery, Bishop Da’Koga received me warmly. I apologized for my lack of presence at the monastery during my brief time in the city, citing external circumstances as the reason for my absence. The Bishop understood, of course, and said that, on the contrary, I had performed admirably in my time there. I thanked him for his kind words and wished him well. He warned me that the southern portion of the colony had a distinct lack of presence when it comes to Disciples of the Dusk Mage, informing me that the only other major establishment was a chapel, and that most Disciples in the region are field researchers.
After bidding farewell to Bishop Da’Koga, I made my way to the rendezvous point and met with my companions, including Miss Avalissa. I told Miss Avalissa that, after careful deliberation, if she was willing to accept my aid, I had decided that I would perform to my utmost ability to ensure the safe passage of her and the livestock she was transporting. I warned her that my physical capabilities were limited, however, Miss Avalissa informed me that my magical talents may be a suitable substitute for any lack of physical prowess. As such, it seems that I am now formally a bodyguard. It is, admittedly, not a position I had previously envisioned myself in. However, Miss Avalissa has shown me nothing less than compassion and kindness in what little time we have shared. If we do somehow run afoul, I feel as though I would like to rush to her aid. As such, it is perfectly logical to accept the offer of compensation for it.
The road upon which we are traveling is not well worn, though I suppose the roads in the colony are much younger than those on Verous, and a lack of population density adds no incentive to the paving or proper maintenance of highways. The scenery is quite lovely, however. Tall grasses stretch on nearly as far as the eye can see, punctuated by some woodlands and hills. The land seems to be quite fertile, which leads me to wonder what varieties of flora and fauna are yet known only to those who have long called these lands their home. Mister Clem has agreed to aid me in the learning of a nonverbal language which is apparently utilized for negotiations. Perhaps once this endeavor is completed, I may be able to request his aid in the learning of the language of the Akacheta. Surely, there must be volumes filled with knowledge which the Disciples of the Dusk Mage have yet to translate or archive.
It is now nightfall, and it seems as though we shall be expected to sleep communally in tents and wagons. This poses several problems. Perhaps it would have been wise to invest in a tent of my own, though I struggle to see myself successfully carrying such a thing. Thus far, I have managed to largely elude discovery. Only Miss Avalissa has been so observant, and she is mercifully supportive of my endeavors. Still, sleeping so closely with the others and travelling with such a lack of privacy, it seems that it is not a question of if, but of when one of my companions may notice. For now, I suppose I shall keep myself close to Miss Avalissa and to Priestess Sophia. If I am to be discovered, I suspect Priestess Sophia or Mister Malopher to be the first to notice. I can only hope that when such a time comes that all is well.
Settling
4th of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
After the adventure that I had with the others upon arriving in Alluminos, it was with glee that I awoke to find a gentle rain falling upon the land. The others did not seem to appreciate this blessing as much as I, but others rarely do. After my morning meditation I made my way down to the lobby of the Bitter Salt, seeking Mister Malopher. I found him near the bar. I was informed that a shipment of coffee had arrived that morning, and I gladly accepted a cup of it to enjoy with breakfast.
A Half-Elven woman, Miss Avalissa, had apparently invited Priestess Sophia out for an excursion. I have only spoken with Miss Avalissa in passing, but she seems to be a charming young lady. I was not aware that Priestess Sophia had any previous dealings with her, or to what end the invitation was placed. Whatever business it is that the two have with one another, Mister Clem and Mister Marlowe were allowed to tag along. The two ladies would surely appreciate the muscle, though I have confidence they can handle themselves.
As for Mister Malopher, Miss Stonetell and I, we all had business at the docks. Mister Malopher returned to the Aunt Hare. I came with him, while Miss Stonetell went about her own business upon our arrival. Captain Siesko seemed to be happy to see the two of us, and after some pleasantries, Mister Malopher asked if I could give the two of them some privacy. I, of course, acquiesced to this request. When Mister Malopher exited the Captain’s quarters, he gave me an opportunity to speak with Captain Siesko as well. I had told Mister Malopher previously that I had business with the Captain.
To my surprise, Captain Siesko informed me that he had received a Sending from Sensei. He had apparently praised me in his response, and informed me that he had another sending that he could return to her, inquiring what he might say. I must concede, I was so thoroughly caught off guard that I could not think of a thing for him to say, though now of course my mind rushes with all manner of things that I might have liked to share with her. Instead, I informed him that I had written Sensei a letter, and I asked if he would be willing to deliver it to her. He agreed to do so.
I expressed my apologies that I would be unable to accept his offer of employment, as I had my own dreams to pursue on land. He understood and asked me to make attempts to befriend Mister Malopher. The Captain seems to be concerned that people may not wish to do so due to his brusque demeanor. I assured the Captain that I believed that Mister Malopher and I ought to get along very well. It seemed to put him at ease. He offered me a drink, which I politely refused. With no further business, and no further pleasantries for the time being, we parted ways. I do hope that it is not the last time we speak to one another.
When I left my meeting with Captain Siesko, I found Mister Malopher using some hay bails to engage in some archery practice. I watched for a bit, but soon Miss Stonetell had found me. Apparently her affairs fell through, and so she invited me to go with her to meet with the others. We bade Mister Malopher farewell for the time being and sought to meet the others. Priestess Sophia, Miss Avalissa and Mister Clem passed us on their way back to the Bitter Salt, and so we walked together. Afterwards, Priestess Sophia excused herself. Mister Malopher returned in time for dinner, and Miss Avalissa joined us as well. It seems that there is some tension between the two of them. Of what nature, I cannot say. Priestess Sophia, meanwhile, seems to have mastered the ability to call upon a familiar. Her familiar is an adorable kitten. After all that we have been through, it was a sight to warm a weary heart.
Miss Avalissa is apparently going to be taking the same train out of town that Priestess Sophia was planning on taking, so it seems that we shall be seeing more of her. She offered to pay us as bodyguards. Though I would not classify myself a stalwart defender, we are nonetheless heading in the same direction, and I would be unable to turn a blind eye to peril were it to befall Miss Avalissa. As such, I informed her that I would consider her offer, though I warned her that I am not much for such work. Priestess Sophia told me that I was underselling myself. Perhaps she is correct. In matters such as these, however, I prefer to err on the side of caution.
After dinner, Mister Malopher and Miss Avalissa left together to speak privately, leaving Priestess Sophia, Mister Clem and myself together. I took this opportunity to ask Priestess Sophia more about herself. It seems that Priestess Sophia and I are of the same rank within the church. She told me that her denial is romance, and when I told her that I had chosen the very same denial, she seemed to be quite curious about it. I told her that depriving myself of romance has been effortless on my part. I informed her that my studies have been quite fruitful in its absence and that it is a useful tool to deter would be suitors. Priestess Sophia seemed to agree, though I could not help but get the sense that she was not entirely pleased with the circumstances. I feel it would be inappropriate to pry further into the matter until we are better acquainted, if she ever feels like volunteering such information at all.
Eventually, Priestess Sophia left and Mister Clem asked me why it was that our group was traveling together. I told him that we all certainly had our own reasons for being in Morado, however, Priestess Sophia was offering rather generous compensation for us to accompany her. He asked if I followed her due to the tower dream. I informed him that I was familiar with Divination, the school of magic through which the future can be seen, and the concepts of destiny. That being said, I have elected to travel together with the others for practical reasons and place little stock in the value of destiny. If our dreams are indeed prophetic, their meaning will become clear to us in time, but I have no intention of purposefully discovering their meaning. I told Mister Clem that we are all born in our own unique set of circumstances, with our own tools to work through life with. Leaving the course of events to fate is allowing one’s circumstances to define you. It is possible to use those circumstances to find one’s own meaning, however, and I told Mister Clem that I intended to do just that.
I asked Mister Clem if he had ever seen a tower such as the one in the dream, to which Mister Clem answered that he had not. When I asked him if he recognized the architectural style, it seemed that something had occurred to him, however. Mister Storyteller was nearby, and so the two of us went to sit with him. Mister Clem and Mister Storyteller spoke for a while in Akacheta before Mister Clem eventually excused himself. Mister Storyteller asked me to watch out for Mister Clem, to which I gave him assurances that I intended to do so. He then inquired about my hair color, but was rather enigmatic when I informed him that my hair has always been this color. I suspect the man knows far more than he has let on, but doubt that pressing him for details would have been very fruitful. Ultimately, I decided to excuse myself and retire for the evening.
Resolution
3rd of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Priestess Sophia had some official business with Mayor Davy this morning. Mister Clem and I accompanied her. The others seemed to have other business to tend to, and so we were the only ones to attend this meeting. The Tiefling woman we had met the night before was apparently the Mayor’s secretary, and as such we were able to meet with him without delay. The Mayor was quite hospitable, though it is my experience that most are friendly in the face of representatives of The Holy Zygallic Church.
A boy who we had crossed paths with the previous day was apparently none other than Mister Elmar Kin Davy, son to the Mayor. He spoke highly of us as well. Priestess Sophia spoke to the Mayor about her mission, presumably the main purpose of the visit, before we informed the Mayor of the precise goings on of the prior night. He was, justifiably, ill at ease at the news of such criminal activity within his city. We gleaned some useful information from the number of individuals we spoke with at the city hall: a possible location of a second warehouse of our mystery substance, and potentially a paper trail to follow.
With this information, the three of us bade the Mayor farewell and made our way back to the Bitter Salt to reconvene with Mister Malopher and inform him of the goings on of the meeting. From there, we left to meet with Miss Stonetell and Mister Marlowe, who had apparently apprehended a fugitive and were bringing him to the guards. We met Miss Stonetell halfway, as she was on her way to fetch us. She led us to the guards’ headquarters, which seemed to be recovering from some chaos. We were, to some extent, briefed on the situation. We also took this opportunity to provide the evidence we had found to Captain Shaotan. Priestess Sophia and I shared our lead with the others, and secured some reinforcements, in the event that violence were to ensue during the inevitable raid on the facility.
With our meeting with Captain Shaotan and his associates concluded, Mister Malopher and I broke from the others in order to revisit the monastery. There, I produced the blasphemous material that we had discovered last night. Mister Malopher was able to translate it for Bishop Da’Koga, who then relieved us of both scripts and allowed us to gather supplies from the monastery’s stores. Mister Malopher used the opportunity to acquire some supplies he apparently has use of.
Mister Malopher and I met with the others, and we made our way to the suspected second warehouse. It was there that I calmly reminded the party that we had agreed to rendezvous with an outside associate later in the day, but they decided to press onward and I reluctantly followed. It was there that we saw a sight most unexpected. It appeared as though someone had attempted a summons in a hidden room beneath the building. As a group, we exorcised the foul energy from the compartment, but a trap had apparently been placed upon it, as oozes emerged from chambers immediately after the fell magic’s disruption.
With no means of effectively combating them, we fled into the daylight. The oozes followed, but retreated into the abandoned building which sat above their former home. Mister Marlowe and Miss Stonetell agreed to keep watch on the site whilst the rest of us sought our reinforcements. In time, we found them, but apparently something had happened to gather the attention of the locals. The city guard was there to keep the perimeter clear and we were allowed to take our associates into the decrepit building to exterminate the creatures. With formidable allies and proper provisions, we made short work of the creatures.
Though it could be said that we all escaped the incident with our health and we made Alluminos a safer place in the process, I tire of such conflict. I tire of it in most any conceivable way. When we returned to the Bitter Salt, we did so to a dinner of steak and potatoes. Priestess Sophia was so utterly exhausted by the affair that she opted not to join us. I can not hold such a thing against her. I sat with the others for dinner, but none of us had words to speak. We soon retired. A bed has never so loudly called for me than that night. In fact, I could not even bother to write this entry until the following day, after I had some time to collect myself.
Alluminos
2nd of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
The Aunt Hare has docked at its destination, Alluminos, a port city on the shores of Morado. I met with Captain Siesko immediately after my morning mediation to ensure that he had no further tasks for me until landfall. He commended me on a job well done, paid me for my services, and only asked me that I deliver a message to Priestess Sophia and another message to Mister Malopher. I thanked him for his hospitality, but he said that such things were unnecessary.
I set about finding Priestess Sophia first. The message was apparently from her family’s estate. For some reason or another, the estate was willing to pay people to accompany her on her travels. Perhaps a safety measure, perhaps something to persuade skeptics to accompany her long enough to be successfully converted, speculation on the motives behind the note are really none of my concern right now. I agreed to accompany her, as she is currently my primary contact on Morado within The Holy Zygallic Church. I will admit, the pay is also tantalizing. My funds are by no means inadequate, but if I am to better establish myself in this new land, I will need a job and I will need to network. This is an opportunity to do both of those things.
When I asked Priestess Sophia about Mister Malopher’s whereabouts, she appeared interested in finding him together. She presented him with the same offer she gave to me and he accepted. The Priestess also roped Miss Stonetell into the journey as well, and Mister Marlowe expressed interest, apparently overhearing the conversation.
I forgot to mention something very strange that happened overnight. I had the tower dream again. I have been seeing this tower for several weeks now, but the dreams have been getting more vivid in the sensory experiences. Lately, it feels less and less like a dream. Last night, I saw five figures other than myself. Priestess Sophia, Mister Malopher, Miss Stonetell, Mister Marlowe, and a man I had never seen before. Earlier in the morning I had felt somewhat uneasy as I realized that those figures were these people I had been seeing throughout the voyage, but thought little of it.
As the ship was readying to dock, Captain Siesko said that myself and the others had someone waiting for us. Captain Siesko lead us into the city and to a drinking establishment. An old man and a very young man were waiting for us. The old man had a fascinating instrument, which he called a hurdy gurdy. He introduced himself as Storyteller. The young man goes by the name Clem, and he was the fifth figure in the dream from the morning. Mister Storyteller claimed that the six of us were brought together through cosmic forces, and asked us if Mister Clem could accompany us. Apparently, it is part of his people’s customs to bring people safely from one point to another as a right of adulthood. Mister Clem seemed to be as surprised by the course of events as the rest of us, which was to a certain extent reassuring.
We agreed to take Mister Clem with us and when we left our meeting, Captain Siesko said that he would meet us later at the ship. Mister Storyteller had reserved rooms for us at a tavern called the Bitter Salt, having obviously divined our arrival through some means or another. We had some difficulties in finding the establishment, but found it in time, only to be told that our rooms had not yet been fully readied. We headed back to the Aunt Hare to collect the rest of our belongings, but Captain Siesko was still in Alluminos on business, so I imagine we will need to see him another day.
During this time, Priestess Sophia decided that she would like to rest and retired to her room. I decided to maintain a close proximity to the others for the time being, as there is safety in numbers. By my own assessments, I think that so long as I stay with the others, I ought to be rather safe. The group decided to pass some time becoming better acquainted with the city and its infrastructure, and so we left.
Later, we discovered that one of our associates apparently has a habit of assuming a fabricated identity. Regretfully, it was I who caught them and I did not handle to situation with the subtlety with which I had hoped to. The group as a whole seemed to have quickly moved past this issue, which I think bodes well for their general temperament, but I still feel terribly guilty for having revealed such a secret.
Once the initial shock had passed, the group traveled to a drinking establishment in a less reputable side of town in order to gain information. Some of my new companions appear to be interested in the pursuit of fugitives. While I would prefer to stay out of dangerous situations, I would much prefer helping these people through their endeavors for the time being than being left alone in a foreign land, and so I accompanied them on their errand. We did not obtain all of the information that we sought, but did receive a few leads, which we immediately set upon.
One such lead led us to a small church. The church appeared to belong to the Mother Sun in joint with the Akachetan faith. I would be curious to hear the priest’s sermons at some point, if only to see how he might go about bridging the cultures together, but we came in search for a different sort of information. We were directed to the quarters of the new groundskeeper for the cemetery located on site. Questioning the groundskeeper proved difficult at first, but my companions managed to gather just enough information to lead us further on our way. We were given a vial with remnants of a strange substance.
I proposed that we tend to a library in search of records on various substances so that we might gain further insight into the situation. Some of my companions had interest in following this path while others did not. Ultimately, it was decided that I would take two of our party with me to the monastery of the Dusk Mage on the northern end of the city. First, however, we dined with Captain Siesko. It seems he is having difficulty filling the position I have vacated. Were the circumstances different I think I might have liked to stay with him, but to do so would be to give up on so much more, and as such I must press onward.
Mister Clem and Priestess Sophia accompanied me to the monastery. We arrived at dusk, and it was as we were greeting the guards at the door that I had received a sending from Sensei. The feeling of her presence upon me, if only briefly, was as a blanket in the chill of a cold night. I excused myself for a moment of respite whilst I carefully composed a response, reconvening with my companions as they were apparently coming to the close of some small talk with the guards. We were granted entry.
It was in the monastery that I briefly met the Bishop of the establishment. He generously aided us in our research and while the answer we received was not one that left me with any sense of comfort, it was precisely the information we required nonetheless. Mister Clem committed a rather grievous faux pas, however, and we were left with little choice but to excuse ourselves. I thanked the Bishop for his invaluable assistance and left him my information, assuring him that I would speak to my companions about propriety later. Before I leave Alluminos, I must return to the monastery and make amends with him, lest my reputation in the colony suffer unduly.
On the way back to the inn, Priestess Sophia overheard the guards speaking to a Tiefling woman, who was meeting some resistance in submitting a report on a suspicious figure chasing her earlier that night. I suppose while we are in town it would be wise to continue traveling in groups. Priestess Sophia made some insinuations regarding the competency of the town guard which will hopefully not find a way to haunt us later, as the guards left rather quickly afterwards.
When we returned to the inn properly, Mister Marlowe and Mister Malopher were speaking privately to one another. We each shared the information that we had compiled and worked through some hypotheses. Ultimately, it was decided that we would head to a location which we knew our target would visit. It was a bar of ill repute. Priestess Sophia and Mister Marlowe stayed outside of the establishment as sentries. Mister Clem manned the door. I went into the bar with Mister Malopher.
Soon enough, our quarry had entered the establishment with a small entourage in tow. I have witnessed the prejudice with which people have treated Mister Malopher for much of the day, but it seems that even Elves are not exempt from such behavior. Why, I myself was disparaged for being Aurumi whilst at this bar. This is only relevant because the man we were searching for started a fight with us simply because Mister Malopher would not leave the establishment. My allies subdued the threat shortly. They are very capable, and our assailants were not. Still, I am quite rattled by the experience.
We recovered some evidence which implicated them in crimes beyond those of which we might have initially assumed. Tomorrow, we will file this evidence to the proper authorities. I must return to the monastery tomorrow and have some blasphemous material properly disposed of as well. I would like to emphasize that I and my companions are all quite well. I am merely shaken by the experience. I have always known the capabilities of magic for self defense, but I had never imagined that I might have to use it in such a manner.
Letter to Bishop Dorothea Kramer
1st of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
My Teacher,
By the time you receive this letter, you will surely know already that my residency on the Aunt Hare was carried out successfully. I fulfilled my duties to the utmost of my abilities. I hope that the captain is as satisfied with the results as I. Captain Siesko has been a wonderful host, considering the conditions. As I write this letter, we are approximately one day from landfall. Morado seemed such a distant land three months ago, but now it is Verous that is so distant.
The Cleric with whom I have been connected, Priestess Sophia de Borel , is, let us say, an interesting woman. I have my fair share of experience with the Mother Sun clergy, as you well know. Even so, Priestess Sophia’s enthusiasm is as inspiring as it is jarring. I have yet to see the extent of her capabilities, and if we are lucky such a thing will be unnecessary. Even so, it is reassuring to travel with one chosen by the Mother Sun.
I intend to keep a journal as I travel this strange land, that it may act as a record of any oddities I may encounter. In time, I would like for you to be able to read it. Even though I intend to maintain some level of correspondence, there is only so much information that can be efficiently conveyed through those means.
I look forward to a day in which we may tell one another all that transpires as the ocean separates us. I should think by then I shall be a proper, independent woman. I shall work tirelessly to achieve my goals in Morado, and hope that I shall have much to share in time.
I hope that you are well, my teacher. I know that you worry for me, and justifiably so, but I am similarly anxious to hear of how well you have been faring. Until next we meet, I shall keep you in my thoughts. May the Dusk Mage illuminate us both with blessings of knowledge and wisdom.
With the kindest of regards and the best of wishes,
Robin Weiss
1st of Gusterus, 130 F.E.
Reflection
29th of Zhenus, 130 F.E.
I can scarcely believe that this is my fifteenth Arsday on the Argentian Ocean. Tomorrow, it will have been three whole months, an entire Summer, since we departed from Peschaniko and left Verous. The dusk of Arsday is always a time of reflection and meditation. As the sun sinks below the horizon, I think of the many dusks that I watched from the deck of the Aunt Hare. I think of the dusks that I shall see whilst on Morado. How many, I wonder, until I might see another familiar face? How many until I might be able to return to Verous?
I reflect upon the faces of the people that I have met on this voyage and the minutiae of information that is gleaned from such passing contact. Even should I never see these people again, some shall inevitably leave an impression upon my memory for some time to come. As rowdy as the sailors can be, I have quite enjoyed the peace of the sea while it lasts, and the quiet solitude of my work here. If I had no other aspirations, I could almost picture myself passing years working alongside Captain Siesko. Despite appearances, he has been a responsible host and a good employer. However, I have aspirations aplenty, and none of them involve wasting away years for the sake of easy coin.
I meditate on the dusks that I have seen before. I meditate upon the people with whom I shared those dusks and the memories that we share. I meditate upon the storm within, the way it touches the weave, and the ways that the weave connects us even if we cannot see those bonds. I reach out with all of my will and attempt to grasp onto those bonds that I might pluck them like the strings of a koto, the reverberations carrying their sound to the ears of those who I hold dear. Alas, such techniques are still beyond my grasp. Soon, perhaps, but I am not yet even upon the cusp of such mastery.
Sensei has used those very bonds to speak to me on occasion, and has promised that she would do so periodically after I arrive in Alloyus. I am very much looking forward to it, though I find the parameters of Sending to be rather restrictive. I ought to write her a letter to properly explain my experiences on the Aunt Hare. Perhaps Captain Siesko would be so kind as to ensure it arrives safely. If he requires it, I would gladly pay him for the trouble. However, there will surely be much to speak about even after landfall. Content that would be far too dense to properly parse for Sending in any manner of efficiency.
It would be far too costly and cumbersome to convey messages through letters as well. This is not even to speak of the delay in correspondence that such a medium would naturally have. I suppose that Sending will have to do for the foreseeable future. Once I have found a way to cast a Sending myself, it should be twice as easy for Sensei and I to correspond in such a manner. It still is not ideal, but it shall be serviceable. If only I could reach that breakthrough in a timely manner.
I suppose I will simply need to maintain a record of the course of events as they unfold upon me once I arrive in Morado. One day, when those records are sufficiently full, I shall scribe a copy and send it to Sensei. Ideally, of course, I will simply hand the journal over to her personally when we see one another again. Best not to take such a thing for granted, however.
This does pose the problem of allowing Sensei to read the entries I have already made in this journal without an audience in mind, this entry included. It really is not so much of an issue, however. I am like an open book to Sensei. There is little that I have left unsaid between us, and it would be wise to anticipate that that matter is also known by her. Besides, nothing which I would be unable to say to her directly has ever been put to paper. Information so precious is best disseminated in person. Perhaps, should a day come where this journal can be delivered directly,
But such frivolous thoughts are best not continued. Not by means of the pen.
Storms at Sea
10th of Juneus, 130 F.E.
It has been a little over a month now since I first boarded the Aunt Hare and set sail toward Morado. I believe that I have begun to acclimate to this rather unsanitary way of life. At the very least, I have worked myself into a routine of sorts. I have spent the majority of my time either in my quarters or tending documents. It is relatively easy work, but there is a surprising amount of documentation to work through.
Admittedly, I have kept to myself for the most part. I do find Captain Siesko to be interesting, and while neither of us are much for conversation, I would like to think that we have built some sort of rapport. I also have interacted sparingly with Mister Malopher and Priestess Sophia, as they are fairly approachable and seem to have some patience for my manner of communication. Some interaction on occasion helps to pass daylight, at least.
We have experienced a number of storms over the weeks. It seems that the Argentian Ocean is more turbulent than Verous, or at the very least Aurumo. The storms seem to put the crew ill at ease. I have heard all manner of colorful language about our fortunes with the weather lately. I suppose it is difficult work to maintain our course in the midst of such powerful winds and waves, but on those stormy days, I often retire to bed early and sleep exceptionally well.
I remember last Golsday we hit a storm in the early evening. The darkened skies in the distance, and the faintest smell in the air heralded the storm to come much earlier in the day. The crew made preparations whilst I set about my usual routine. I enjoyed an early dinner as the Aunt Hare found the rain at the edge of the storm, then retired to my quarters. Sailors were rushing to their stations and Mister Malopher was working very hard to maintain order on deck. When I reached my room, I took some time to meditate and feel the weave flow through and around my body.
It was then that I felt thunder as it reverberated through Aunt Hare’s frame. There was a clamor on deck, which was drowned out almost entirely by the sound of rain. It was very soothing. The rhythmic rapping of the rain was like a mother whispering a lullaby to her child. The waves, of course, would be the rocking of her arms to soothe the fussy child. I could imagine the lightning streaking through the sky, painting the darkened clouds with flashes of light, like a gentle, reassuring smile. The thunder would soon follow, like a booming voice starting a mantra before a gentle, meditative hum.
So much does it soothe me that at times it feels as though I could listen to the whispers of the storm for so long that I might learn to speak back, but these are merely fantasies from childhood. I remember the way in which the villagers would speak of The Striking Tree, back in Vayu’Ped. They said it was cursed, or perhaps haunted. Whenever I looked at it, however, it felt like an old friend was watching over that tiny village. The storms always brought the worst out of the blacksmith in ways that the bottle never did, but I quickly learned that retreating to bed and letting that primal essence lull me to sleep was the simplest way to avoid his ire.
I do not miss those days. I do not miss that village. But I still think of that old striking tree sometimes. We are as kindred spirits, I think. Both of us have braved much, and yet we stand. We have channeled the storms that have threatened to fell us. We are marked by those experiences, but they give us strength.
Arsday on the Ocean
5th of Mavius, 130 F.E.
Today is my first Arsday on this voyage across the Argentian Ocean. The way that the ocean surrounds the Aunt Hare so completely is still something that I have not grown acclimated to. The dusks are beautiful. As I watched the sunset today in particular, I am reminded of how the way that the sun’s light blossoms across the sky like a flower. As the saying goes, “Twilight blooms, Knowledge is found”. The way that the sky is reflected perfectly across the horizon, it truly looks like a flower. I wish Sensei could see it.
Unfortunately, the peace of the twilight hours is frequently broken by the voices of the sailors who participate in revelry after their shifts are over. I do not intend to pass judgement upon them, as I scarcely know them, but I believe many of them could do with less drink. Mercifully, none of them have attempted to lay hands upon me thus far. Even so, the raucous laughter emanating from the common room puts me ill at ease.
During the day, when I feel the need to take a brief step away from my work, I have watched the goings on of the ship. Among the ranks of the sailors, I spied a Half-Elven woman. She could perform physical feats I do not think I could ever hope to replicate. She seems to be older than I, so perhaps she is an experienced sailor. She seemed to fit in with the lot, joining the other sailors in their boisterous singing. I have caught Mister Malopher paying her some special attention, as well, and it is not the fond sort of attention. I doubt that the two of us have much in common.
Earlier in this week, another passenger greeted me herself as well. Priestess Sophia de Borel, on a mission from The Holy Order of the Mother Sun. The reason I was able to be attached to this ship in the first place. Priestess Sophia seems to be quite excited to be on this ship, and was happy to make up for my lack of conversational ability. I imagine we were quite the pair for the casual onlooker, as we appear to have very little in common, save our service to The Holy Zygallic Church. Those of the Sacred Service have always tended to be a bit difficult for me to deal with personally, but agreeable, and a good sort. Sensei always told me how important it was to make friends among the other clergies as well. I suppose when I am not busy with my duties it may not hurt to become better acquainted with her.
It also appears that there is a veteran of the Kaldos Rebellion on the ship. Aside from some regional oddities among our cargo, there is nothing of exceptional interest on this ship, so I doubt that he has been hired to guard something. Perhaps he wishes to start a life anew? I cannot possibly fathom the horrors that the poor man might have seen. He seems to keep to himself, so I doubt I will be given an opportunity to find out. It is none of my concern anyhow. I do feel a bit safer with him around, however.
The sights of the ocean and the liveliness of the people aboard the Aunt Hare were nice as brief distractions from my own thoughts. Simply reflecting upon those sights is of some help, even as I write this. Even so, I doubt that I shall get much sleep. As exhausted as I am, I fear that my mind will race with thoughts that are well beyond adequate solutions, keeping me awake in the process. It has been so for the last week and I doubt that these troubles are going to resolve themselves in the near future.
Addendum
29th of Apreri, 130 F.E.
I suppose I ought to mention what transpired upon the Aunt Hare on this day as well. Sensei and I met with Captain Siesko. It seems that, as Sensei's pupil, the captain expects great things from me. I do not intend to disappoint. Once Sensei had left, the Captain could tell that I was out of sorts and he told me that we could speak more of business later. My first task was to ensure that all of the documentation is in order before we set sail. It was easy enough.
After taking some time to collect myself, I returned to Captain Siesko once again in order to hopefully present myself more favorably. He seemed to empathize with me, however, which has put me on guard. This is a man who can see through a person’s facade and get straight to the heart of a matter. At least, that is the impression I have been left with. I have not spoken with Captain Siesko at length, but he bears himself in a way that is in many ways not dissimilar to the way that Sensei carries herself. I think that he and I shall get along well.
Captain Siesko introduced me to some of the crew members as well, as they would to a certain extent be my coworkers for the next three months. The Boatswain is a Tiefling man named Malopher. The captain failed to tell me his surname, but I suppose for a Tiefling familial ties could be a sensitive subject. Idle thoughts aside, Mister Malopher seems to be a rather straightforward individual who takes his duties seriously. I doubt we shall have any issues with one another.
The motion of the ship across the Argentian Ocean is strange to me. I have not needed to cross a large body of water before, so the way that it bobs and sways is disorienting. I understand how those of weaker constitution might get sick from it, as a number of my fellow passengers seem to have. I must acclimate myself to these motions, however, lest it ruin my handwriting. I will also need to better acquaint myself with the anatomy of the Aunt Hare, as part of the documentation I will need to process is our shipping manifest. I imagine I will need to cooperate with Mister Malopher to some extent in order to ensure that our supplies are properly rationed out as well. Hopefully I will be able to effectively communicate with him without the need to resort to alternative communication methods.
It seems that my position within the crew is also sufficient for me to have a private cabin. It is hardly luxurious. Efficient would perhaps be a better way to describe the space, but the cabin is private, and so I am grateful to have it. I found a way to fasten the shield so that it shall not startle me awake in the middle of the night by falling. There is enough room for my other supplies as well, though perhaps it is just so. I imagine in the coming days it shall begin to feel like home, or at least as close an approximation as I am likely to find outside of Saptagiri.
Alone
29th of Apreri, 130 F.E.
I said farewell to Sensei today. It is, with no exaggeration, the most difficult thing I have ever done. I have spent weeks fretting over how I would conduct myself on this day. On how I would stand beside her, what she might say to me and how I would respond when she said those words. I could not, however, prepare myself adequately for the proceedings of this morning.
This morning I descended from my room to find her standing outside of the inn, leaning against the fence of the pier. Gone was that familiar visage. I saw not the mask that is worn in the halls of Saptagiri, but the woman that she might be in her private moments. It ought to go without saying that even without the markings of the Dusk Mage upon her that Sensei had taken great pains to present her best self. Spotting her from a window, one might have thought they were staring at an immaculate painting. A sight I shall remember for the rest of my days, whose beauty and emotion were so intense so as to be unreal. But this was reality. A reality we were both required to face. With some trepidation, I forced myself to step from the inn and onto the streets.
When I had greeted her, the despondence which she bore upon her countenance was replaced with a familiar resilience. We exchanged some pleasantries, and stole a moment of levity from the otherwise gloomy morning. A moment of warmth on this cold day. Sensei informed me that she once traveled upon Aunt Hare herself a long time ago. Captain Siesko, Bishop Sophia, herself and some others had apparently made some very fond memories. The nostalgia was not plain upon her face, but I could see it in her eyes. She addressed me fondly, and in that moment I spied the wealth of emotions which she was taking pains to conceal. A mixture of feelings which I am no stranger to, a mask I too was wearing on this day, though it would be foolish to say that they were self same.
In that moment, I felt without question that Sensei and I had transcended the bonds which had described us in years prior. To what extent only time shall tell the tale. I would like to think that in the years since I returned from Artemesia we have become friends. I would like much more to think that this farewell is not a goodbye; that one day we shall share the same space again. These thoughts will surely be my ruin, however. I must maintain focus upon that which I have set out to do.
Sensei announced that she had a gift for me, and began drawing handkerchiefs from her sleeve. This trick, which I did not appreciate in my youth, moved me in that moment. I know not why. Once the final handkerchief was drawn, she folded them into a box and, to my surprise, it was a box that appeared in its place. Within, a shield. It bears the symbol of the Dusk Mage. It is beautiful. I shall cherish it dearly. It gives me some relief that even as the Argentian Ocean separates us, Sensei will be watching over me in a sense. It is a bit heavy, but I must confess that I am no athlete. She showed me how to don and doff it. As she did, she spoke of protecting those we care for, and the wisdom of being prepared.
She then told me a story about her time on Aunt Hare. A man from a good family proposed marriage to her. Though such a thing is a boon many common women can only wish for, Sensei turned the proposal down. Though he was well connected within the church and plenty wealthy, the life he wanted her to lead would not be her own. He wanted from Sensei an obedient and submissive wife who was intelligent enough to handle her duties without question. It ran counter to all that she had worked for and aspired towards. Though she sometimes wonders what might have been had she said yes, she told me that those thoughts are nothing more than a base desire for complacency.
She told me that she was proud to see that I had made a similar decision. To flee from the golden cage that I have been offered in search of my own path. I could feel the storm stir within me. The Nameless Beast whined. I could not allow them to sway me at this moment. I fear I may have allowed my sadness to bear itself upon my face, but that is preferable to losing control.
I allowed myself to tell Sensei how I owe all that I have to her, and I gave her my parting gift. My favorite pen and a lock of my hair. Sensei seemed surprised, but happy to receive them. Though I was prepared to be questioned, she did not say a word. She simply smiled. Though perhaps I ought to have been more vigilant in monitoring her response, I am content. I believe that she knows me well enough to know my intentions without misunderstanding. And if she is pleased by my gift, regardless of the reasons behind that happiness, I am quite happy myself.
Once we had exchanged gifts, we made our way to meet with Captain Siesko. Sensei held the box I had given her with the utmost care, as I did hers. Neither of us had any words left to say. As I walked by her side each step filled me with reminiscence. All of the morning lessons, the serene afternoon meetings,the quiet evenings, and the days that will never come. The words we shared after Third Catechism, the small moments that added up to such larger developments, the things that she told me in confidence and I to her, and all of the things left unsaid. Each memory was as a cut to my heart, until it felt it might burst. The storm raged within. The winds roared so loudly I could not hear the Nameless Beast howl beneath them. The thunder shook me to my core, as though it might escape from my lips and fill the docks with its primal rhythm.
But I maintained control. I reminded myself of the promise that I had made myself to save my tears for only myself. I know that she must know how it pains me to leave, just as I know that it pains her. However, unleashing those feelings upon one another would only make this parting more difficult, not to mention rather unseemly. I made it to the Aunt Hare without allowing the grief to consume me. Even so, I do not feel pride at this accomplishment.
I write this journal hours after these events have transpired. I have cried until the tears would no longer come, but the pain does not relent. I shall remember this day forever. In my moments of weakness, these things that I took for granted and then gave up shall remind me of why I must, under all circumstances, succeed in my endeavors. I shall not stand with Sensei again until my grasp upon The Weave is firm enough that I might use my own two hands to do it myself. One day this shall come to pass. My spirit will not rest until I can see the very potential Sensei saw in me from the beginning come to fruition. I will, and have, staked my life on it.
Peschaniko
28th of Apreri, 130 F.E.
Sensei and I have arrived at Peschaniko today. I am presently writing this record within a private room at a local inn, which Sensei was generous enough to rent using her own funds. I can now say that I have traveled to Argent as well as Ferox. I must say that Peschaniko is remarkably different from what I have seen on my prior excursions, though I must also concede that I have not been to a port before, nor have I spent much time outside of temples and monasteries.
We arrived in Peschaniko as dusk was setting on the horizon. Presently, twilight has given way to night. The Argentian Ocean is as beautiful as it is terrifying; when the waters are calm it looks like a sky cast upon the ground, but I have been warned of how dangerous it is. Furthermore, the ocean is so unfathomably vast that I hear it shall take all of three months to reach Morado once we have set sail. Why must the colony be so prohibitively far from Verous? Once I have boarded the ship, this ocean may as well be a grand wall dividing me from all I have known; all
The Aunt Hare is due for departure on Valsday. Tomorrow, I may make any final preparations I might require before the voyage. It shall also be the last day I have to share with Sensei. She has come with me so that she may see me off, and so I shall see her on Valsday as well. Nonetheless, I must ensure I wake early to morrow and cherish every moment of this Arsday. It shall be the last dusk we share with one another for a period so long that it would be safer to assume it infinite rather than finite. How fitting that it should be on the Day of Dusk itself. That sunset shall be a very special one, indeed.
I have slept poorly of late, plagued by dreams of a tower as I slumber and the thoughts of the unknown as I am awake. While I am certain that Sensei knows how much it wounds me to leave, I must take care to steel myself in these coming days. I want her to see me in those final moments as the woman I have striven so hard to become, rather than the child I was when we first met. If I can save my tears until my transport has set sail, perhaps I can spare Sensei from some grief. I would have liked to bring her with me, but alas, one does not simply uninstall one such as her from the grasp of the mainland. Perhaps in time,
But such frivolous thoughts are mere distractions from matters which are more pressing. Better I focus on what lies in front of my nose rather than what dwells in the clouds, lest I stumble over my own feet. I must put up my pen for the night now, Sensei calls for me.
Racket
5th of Mavius, 128 F.E.
This Arsday, as with all others, I have found myself reflecting upon all that has transpired since the last. When I do so, I cannot help but feel loneliness overtake me. Even those days wherein Ulrich and I did not speak were less lonely than these, for at least during those days there was some vestige of my roommate that lingered in his absence. Presently, I look across the room toward a bed which lies barren and devoid of any signs of ownership. The warmth of the coming Summer seems to envelop everyone at Artemesia, save myself.
The Mother’s Revelry is well underway, and the excitement of the acolytes here is palpable. Even Bishop De Borel, busier than ever, bears the familiar glow that seems to exude from those who have long anticipated this sacred time of year. Still, even as I know that she bears similar burdens to me and surely must not be able to enjoy the season as much as she would like, I dare not reach out too much. It does not do to become overly familiar with one’s superiors. When she inquires about my progress, I will gladly oblige and accept any company she may offer, but I shall not impose myself upon her and distract us both from more important business.
I have made attempts to write a letter to Sensei, so that I may share with her my progress thus far, but I can never find the words to say. Every sunset that passes reminds me of the home which I long to return to, and this weakness fills me with shame. Yet I have nobody to turn to. Even if I had a companion to distract me from these thoughts I could not burden them with the reality of them. Similarly, I cannot possibly burden Sensei with the knowledge of how I quietly suffer here. Even were she sympathetic to my plight, there is naught that can be done to remedy it. Yet when I wet my pen to write objectively about my project, it is this infernal racket which comes to mind instead. Every time this happens I am forced to put down my pen, and in so doing I resign myself to more loneliness.
I know that one day soon I shall finish my research, and I will be able to return to Saptagiri. Even so, Bishop De Borel promises this to be the beginning of a fruitful career. Despite how much I am honored by the honest praise and opportunities, I know in my heart that this is not what I want. What, pray tell, would be the alternative, however? The beast is as foolish as it is unreasonable, and all I can think of are the words which Ulrich asked me when last we spoke. What use is knowledge if it is not used to help others? Perhaps when I return to Saptagiri I ought to seek Sensei’s counsel. I must learn to properly tame the beast by then, lest I humiliate myself. I pray that my resolve will allow me to endure the next three years in peace, but I do not expect it to be as easy as I would like.
Goodbye
2nd of Mavius, 128 F.E.
I have made even more headway into the reading of the manuscript. I have several pieces of parchment dedicated to the various research stations, and my notes on each are coming along nicely. By the end of the week, I may even be able to finish my first reading of our translation. That would give me at least two weeks to analyze and cross reference data; a week or so outline, draft, and finalize the paper; and a week to review and submit the paper. If I can stick to this schedule, the whole undertaking ought to proceed without incident.
Despite my enthusiasm, I cannot help but feel a bit melancholic, however. Today was the day that Ulrich and the others were to leave Artemesia. My heart wrenches at the thought of how it might have felt for Ulrich to leave Artemesia without the two of us being able to properly say goodbye. I was too busy attempting to gain a strong start to my research to realize that the day had come. To say that I am saddened and ashamed is to understate my feelings on the matter. I wish we could have stolen away more time together, but I do not have the luxury for such things at the moment. Not when there is work to be done. I just hope that he does not think ill of me for my selfishness, and that this bittersweet ending of our time together will not sour the the memories we share.
Eureka
30th of Apreri, 128 F.E.
Yesterday was the final day of translation. I write of it today because it is only now that I shall retire. Much has happened over the last forty-eight hours. Ulrich and I had a long and earnest discussion after our work was finally concluded. I shared with him the last bit of Sensei’s tea as we observed the sunset. He asked me a number of piercing questions. Questions whose answers I had never considered. That I had no answers to give him seemed to upset him. He dismissed himself, but invited me to join him and the others in the hot spring later.
I was left to my thoughts. Now, in this quiet moment of contemplation, the thoughts return. Ulrich, astute as always, has asked me what it is that I intend to do with my skills and knowledge. He told me that knowledge is useless if it is not applied to help others. He is, of course, correct. What does it mean for me that I had not considered these things until now? What have I been doing this whole time? What was it all for? What do I want from life? What will I do with my knowledge and my talents? The lack of answers is frustrating. That incessant beast has some ideas, but those are even more frustrating than the silence.
As I tend to do when faced with my own inadequacies, I decided to distract myself with a task. I went to proofread our completed manuscript. It was then that I noticed it. A pattern, or rather, a web of interconnected patterns. The weather in the Colony is cyclical. With the exception of the High Storms, weather patterns, precipitation, and temperature in a given research station all fit a uniform pattern. Only temperatures varied, but even they presented a linear cooling trend year over year. How is it that something as erratic as the weather could be so uniform? At first, I thought it an aberration in the data set, and so I set about looking into the other data sets. However, every research station presented data that suggested similar trends throughout the entirety of the colony.
I spent the night and early morning compiling enough evidence to support the claim that I might present it to Bishop De Borel. I finished just as Ulrich and the others arrived. Bishop De Borel seemed to be delighted by the discovery. I spent much of today with her, discussing the premise at length whilst she communicated with others via Sending. Despite the conclusion of the translations, she has invited me to remain at Artemesia for another month. She would like to give me the opportunity to look more deeply into these trends and publish a research paper on them. It is a tremendous honor to be given such an opportunity at my age. In fact, I would be the youngest Dusk Mage acolyte to publish independent research to date.
Sensei sent me a Sending. It would seem that the faculty of Saptagiri are quite impressed by the achievement. Sensei seemed to be particularly proud. I feel many ways about this. Mostly, however, I tell myself that I must focus on the task at hand. I cannot allow my independent research to be lacking. I cannot disappoint myself, Sensei, Bishop De Borel, or any of my other instructors with subpar work. For now, I must rest. The life that I was given by the excitement of it all now wanes and my bed calls for me.
Progress
20th of Apreri, 128 F.E.
It is starting to seem as though we will be concluding our translations by Apreri’s end. Everyone is excited to finally see this massive undertaking completed. For me, however, it has been sobering, I suppose. Of course, I want nothing more than to return to Seaptagiri. I am now reminded how ethereal this time truly is, however. It is hard for me to believe that it has been just over three weeks since Ulrich and I began spending time together. Yet in no more than three more weeks, we will have to part ways. I wonder if we will ever meet again?
Perhaps it is best for me to distance myself from him, so as to make the departure easier for the both of us. But every time he greets me, it feels as though he is happier to see me than the last time, and I cannot bring myself to hurt him so. I have grown more accustomed to the peculiarities of Feroxi friendships. The honesty, the casual touches, and the embraces. It is a form of intimacy that I am very much out of my element in. Though Ulrich is always very respectful of my personal boundaries, I continue to make efforts to remove myself from my comfort zone for Ulrich’s sake, as I imagine that to him it would be rather cold and unfriendly of me to refuse. I must remind myself that gestures that might be seen as romantic in Aurumo are more commonplace as platonic gestures here. Candidly, I must admit that I enjoy them from time to time.
Though I have not developed the same level of camaraderie with the others as I have with Ulrich, it feels as though we have at long last reached an understanding and developed a mutual respect for one another; at least in regard to our professional capabilities. I have begun to understand each of them as individuals rather than as a collective, and it seems as though they have finally moved entirely past their initial prejudices towards me. I would still describe our bond as merely cordial, however, but cordiality is a marked improvement over hostility.
I wonder how it is that I might look back upon this period of time? A month of loneliness and pain followed immediately by one of togetherness and warmth. As the seasons changed around me, so too have my feelings about this place and the people who surround me. I have even learned to open myself up to others, within reason. We all must keep our secrets. This is the first time in a very long time that someone has reached out to me, however. I forgot what it was to have a new friend. I know not how these last few weeks might march onward, nor do I know if Ulrich and I shall see one another after this fleeting project is over. I suppose that time will tell the tale, as it does with all things in life.
Reconciliation
17th of Apreri, 128 F.E.
The end is within sight. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have all successfully met yet another deadline. If we continue at this pace, we are likely to complete the translation of the manuscripts well before the end of Mavius. Now that the others have accepted me -- reluctant as that acceptance may be -- we are progressing at unprecedented speed. Not only that, but our translations are perfectly consistent. Now that I have the opportunity to read the other portions, it is much easier to make sense of the texts, as esoteric as the original manuscripts may be. The bigger picture is becoming more clear.
Even as the others have come to accept me, I feel as though I am merely tolerated. Though Ulrich has no doubt vouched for my character, it is clear that it will take time for them to overcome their initial prejudices towards me. I must remind myself that we must all work towards mutual understanding, if not in the pursuit of stronger bonds, then at least in the pursuit of efficiency. If we maintain a polite union solely for the sake of progress, then so be it. I have done my part not to exacerbate any misgivings the collective might have for me, when possible. I have also informed Ulrich that I will not change myself to gain their acceptance, however, and Ulrich seems to respect my position.
I am unaccustomed to the ways in which the other acolytes engage in acts of merriment. I tend to excuse myself from active participation in these collective activities. For the most part, it would seem that this does not offend the others, though I think that it disappoints Ulrich. I have explained to him that I feel as though my participation would only hinder everyone’s fun, but I have decided that I shall entertain Ulrich by at least observing in their games and conversations. He has expressed to me that participation may help the others to warm up to me, but he is happy that I have chosen at least not to leave.
I still remain uncomfortable with the others, and cannot face them without Ulrich beside me. Even as we gather together for work, I stay close to Ulrich, as though he might shield me from their contempt. I realize that these fears are irrational. However, we shall only need to endure one another for a few more weeks. I do not foresee myself making any lasting bonds with any of them aside from Ulrich, so it seems a waste to exert energy in forcing them to like me more than necessary. All that matters is that Bishop De Borel continues to praise our work, and we continue to march toward completion ahead of schedule.
Third Letter from Artemesia to Bishop Dorothea Kramer
5th of Apreri, 128 F.E.
Dear Sensei,
Mister Lamperos and I have come to an understanding. It would seem that we have misinterpreted one another, but no longer. He and I have been working closely together now since Apreri’s start. Even as more acolytes leave, the increasing workload is not insurmountable. At least, not when we cooperate.
I am still unaccustomed to the eccentricities of the Mother Sun acolytes, but I find Ulrich to be quite approachable. He asked me to call him Ulrich. It seems that my formality bothers him to some extent. Despite his boisterous energy, I have found that he is quite the bright mind. His work is impeccable, and even when we are not at work, his rhetorical skills and knowledge are remarkable. I must admit, I have some regrets that I did not approach him earlier.
The few acolytes who remain still do not seem to like me very much. However, Ulrich has proven himself to be a functional intermediary. As a result, our work has become much more consistent and cohesive. It is finally starting to feel as though we are working as a team. Bishop De Borel has told me that my work thus far has been impressive. I hope that now, with the cooperation of the others, we might exceed her expectations.
There is a stark contrast between our performance last week and this week. Despite functioning at half of our initial numbers, I believe that our efficiency has improved such that we may still complete the translation ahead of schedule. If such a thing occurs, it is possible that I may be returning to Saptagiri earlier than anticipated. I look forward to reading over our finished translation and reporting some of the findings to you upon my return. There are some interesting peculiarities to the weather in the Colony. I hope that you are looking forward to it as much as I.
Kindest Regards,
Robin Weiss,
The Fifth of Apreri, 128 F.E.
Concerning Ulrich
4th of Apreri, 128 F.E.
Our deadline approaches. Ulrich visited with the others with the notes which we have compiled. Despite the way in which he left them a few days prior, they seemed to accept his presence, and happily cooperated with him. I do not understand them. I suppose that as long as they provide their support, it does not matter how well we get along with one another. So long as I can stay within Ulrich’s good graces, it would seem that we shall at least present an illusion of cohesion. Thankfully, those who remain are not dead weight. In fact, they are rather capable. Excellent. So long as none of us break under the pressure, our work loads shall not be increasing unexpectedly.
The beast is not pacified. When Ulrich is not present to distract me, I can feel its grip upon my heart. Perhaps it is for this reason that I find myself drawn to Ulrich’s company, though the thought that I might be abusing his good will as a means to escape from my own thoughts leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps it is more apt to say that it is convenient that the camaraderie distracts me from that troublesome creature. Semantics aside, I find myself in good spirits during the day, but each night I know that I must combat myself to sleep. It helps to know that I am not entirely alone. But it is not enough. Not for the beast.
In our idle moments, I have begun to ask questions of Ulrich, as he does sometimes of me as well. Though he often speaks without any signs of cessation, I find that he gives me more opportunity to express myself than most as well. He studies me very carefully, as if searching my face or my body for additional meaning. Sometimes I glimpse him doing it even when we are not speaking. I suppose I am a difficult person to read. However, displaying my emotions so openly feels too intimate. Ulrich, by contrast, is very open and earnest with his feelings. Now that some of the initial shock has worn off, I feel I am coming to find it endearing. With each passing day, I feel my vigor returning.
I am also happy to observe that for all of his propensity for speaking, my new companion is astute, articulate, and well versed in whatever topic of interest that might arise in our discourse. He has a grasp of rhetoric that eludes myself as well, though I will rise to defend myself with the fact that it is not quite as easy for me to practice. I suppose my conclusion for the time being is that Ulrich Ron Lamperos continues to impress. He is a man of noble bearing who bears himself nobly. It is a pity there are not more like him.
Company
2nd of Apreri, 128 F.E.
This morning, following my usual preparations, I found myself face to face with Ulrich when I attempted to leave. However, unlike past times, where his haste would see him largely ignore my presence, this time he was quite friendly towards me. I still do not know where it is that he spent the night, but I suppose it does not matter. As he took some time to groom himself, he explained to me his plan of attack regarding how we shall tackle our portions of the translation together. I mulled over his plan, attempting to preempt any potential issues that might arise, but it was straightforward enough.
Afterwards, he walked with me to the dining hall. It might sound strange, but it was nice to have someone to sit with. We did not exchange many words as we ate, but I do not get the impression that Ulrich was simply humoring me with his presence. Rather, by the way that he seemed to stare at me, I think that perhaps he is also growing accustomed to this new arrangement. It may take some time before we come to better understand each other’s idiosyncrasies.
I must continually remind myself that we will both likely need to make some concessions in order to ensure the success of an amicable partnership. For example, Ulrich has expressed discomfort with my addressing him as Mister Lamperos. He informed me that the form of address was “too stuffy” and suggested that I address him by his given name. I have not addressed someone so intimately in a long time, but just as he has observed some of my personal boundaries, so too must I be accommodating to his.
Now that I have had time to peruse Ulrich’s notes, I must admit that his capabilities closely match my own. I was not sure how we would work together on a project that requires such intense focus, but to my surprise, Ulrich was not a disruptive presence. At least, not to the detriment of our progress. If anything, taking some time to clarify terms with each another has removed large portions of unproductive second guessing that I might have undergone were I alone.
When we broke for tea in the afternoon, we had an opportunity to become better acquainted. I think that he was stricken by my honesty. To be honest, I was not certain that Ulrich would be as forthright as he is either. He cautioned me to more carefully consider how others might interpret events. Especially those who do not have the same upbringing as myself. Of course, by now the lesson is not lost on me, but Ulrich was able to provide some clarification as well. When I conceded that I have not had much practice engaging with others, due at least in part to my affliction, he bore his sadness clearly upon his face. I suppose in Ferox, the wearing of the heart upon the sleeve is expected. I had not considered that my stoicism might be off-putting to the locals.
It is hard for me to say how this arrangement will pan out in the weeks to come. However, at least for the time being, I suppose I must cautiously concede that I appreciate the companionship. Come Arsday, we shall see what progress we are capable of making. For the first time in quite a while, however, I am optimistic.
Brightness
1st of Apreri, 128 F.E.
I spoke with Bishop De Borel today. I explained my difficulties to her, seeking her counsel. It seems that, contrary to what many -- including myself -- have been led to believe, the other acolytes left of their own accord. Whether it was a lack of ability, the overwhelming pressure, or an inability to cooperate with others, they had all asked to be dismissed. Bishop De Borel extended an opportunity for me to leave if the task was proving too difficult.
I refused. I refuse to give up in the face of this adversity. I cannot allow myself to disappoint Sensei. I cannot disappoint Bishop De Borel. I cannot disappoint myself. I must persevere. I must prove myself. I will not allow my detractors the satisfaction of watching me fail, and I will not allow those who support me the additional burden of the sorrow of my failure. I thanked Bishop De Borel for her counsel and I set off to speak with my peers.
The others had some grievances with my solitary behavior. They refused to cooperate with me and berated me. They accused me of haughtiness, characterizing my withdrawal as one of arrogance rather than self defense. Just as I felt as though I might lose my composure, Mister Lamperos came to defend me. Before I knew what was happening, he had taken my hand and was leading me away from the others.
It seems that we have misunderstood one another. Mister Lamperos has kept his distance from me because he thought that it was what I wanted. He has also been reading my notes after I have retired at night. I had no idea. Of course, I reprimanded him for this breach of privacy, and he apologized. We have mutually decided to put the past behind us and work together. Ulrich Ron Lamperos… is such a strange young man. I look forward to getting to know him better. He seems to be a promising colleague.
Beast
29th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
My heart aches. This bitterness is surely turning my blood black. As black as the ink I endlessly draw upon parchment. It never ends. The labor. The suffering. The indignity. The loneliness. Lately it has been so bad that I have been crying myself to sleep. The empty bed where a body should be feels like the physical manifestation of a pain I know not how to articulate. A deep wound that I am reminded of with each beat of my heart.
It is as though there is a storm within my body. Dark clouds, filled with water that is only released through my tears. They rub against one another, creating a thunder that I might release from my body in a primal scream, were my body capable of doing so. I can feel the lightning flicker in my eyes as it ruins the hair I have worked so tirelessly to put into place. It swirls about in a wind so savage that one would think it impossible for me to stand still. But on the surface I maintain the calm of a lake which lies undisturbed by the spring breeze.
It is at its worst during the night. Even as Spring begins to warm the mountains, and the daylight blesses Artemesia more tomorrow than it did yesterday, my bed is always so cold. Why is it that I feel this way? Because my peers ignore me? I have no wealth of friends waiting for me at Saptagiri. Because I am disrespected? Perhaps, but such petty concerns do not tend to shake me so violently. Is it because I
What manner of beast is this, which lies within my spirit? From whence does it come? For how long has it dwelt there? A beast most foul, which beckons for impossibilities. I must crush it. It cannot be allowed to persist. Its very name is loathsome to me, for it seeks to disrupt a peace which I have long enjoyed. I shall not suffer it to ruin this peace. It cannot be. It is a trick of the night, an idle thought of a weary heart. An illusion. Perhaps if I ignore it, it shall vanish.
Fie upon the very thought of it! This hateful beast, far beyond the grace of a name. I shall wrap it in chains and cast it upon the bile in the pit of my contempt. It has surely been the howling of this beast which has disrupted my sleep. A selfish beast that grows unruly when its impossible demands lie unsatisfied. I will destroy you! I shall not suffer it for this beast to show itself upon my face -- to consume my idle thoughts! I will not be conquered by such devilish wiles. I will not suffer the indignity. O, nameless beast, you shall not unmake me!
Toil
25th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Our ranks are now down to five. Our quota? One hundred and sixty pages by Arsday, even as the texts grow more esoteric by the week. Transforming these sloppy ramblings into presentable research is a beginning to feel like a punishment rather than a task. Like the man who was sent to Tartaros for his hubris, made to climb a tree which grew faster than it could be climbed, my work is never done.
Yet it seems as though I continue to be the only acolyte who takes this task seriously. How many nights do the others visit the hot springs? How many hours do they squander twittering on about the priestesses they fancy, or the families they left to be here? What good does any of it do them? Such petty distractions afford one no benefit in the face of such a titanic workload. Do they not realize that their dalliances are not only a waste of their own time, but of mine as well?
I allow myself three pleasures. Bishop De Borel’s sermons, my evening devotion, and Sensei’s tea each Arsday. It is more than enough for me. How can they allow themselves such leisure whilst I toil arduously each day to make up for their slack? Do the other monasteries not teach discipline or respect? Clearly not. I pretend to ignore their disdainful gazes, but I see them nonetheless. What is it about me that draws their ire so? I deign not waste my time entertaining such thoughts. I need not concern myself with the idle thoughts of children.
Burdened
17th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Another Arsday, another missed deadline. Another one of my colleagues has been sent home. It would seem that Bishop De Borel’s expectations are too much for many. Yet with each of their failings, those of us who have proven ourselves capable are only burdened with more work. The forty pages of our first week do not compare to the eighty we must complete by next Arsday. Even this amount of work would be of little consequence, were the manuscripts written by a person who cared about consistency, organization, or grammar. Alas, our task cannot be so simple.
Yet even as our assignments grow greater in complexity and in size, it seems as though my peers are spending no more time at work than before. It seems that they would rather wile away the hours playing games or chasing juvenile fancies rather than handling our project with any level of professionalism. Even whilst they work, they congregate together, making merry and chatting. They rise late and retire early. I know not how any of them manage to meet the deadlines. Yet Mister Lamperos, at least, manages to do so regularly. Perhaps they are using him to expedite their own portions’ translations. It is not my concern. I cannot allow their indolent behavior to impede my own work.
Mister Lamperos continues to avoid me. I have made it easier for him by rising an hour early each morning, lest I offend him when he visits our room to tidy himself. I do not know who it is he is seeing past curfew, but contrary to my apparent reputation, I see no need to report such behavior. How Mister Lamperos chooses to conduct himself is his own business, and he seems to be the only one of my peers who possesses any level of competence.
Second Letter from Artemesia to Bishop Dorothea Kramer
12th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Dear Sensei,
I cannot thank you enough for the tea. I have been carefully rationing it, as a cup of hot tea is such a delight during the cold nights in these mountains. The steamed buns are as delicious as the day I left Saptagiri as well. Though it is not quite the same enjoying such treats alone, it is something to look forward to nonetheless.
The translation process is not going quite as smoothly as I might like. My roommate and I were the only ones to meet our initial deadline, and it would seem that Bishop De Borel has already dismissed three acolytes. However, I suspect that the others simply required more time to adjust to the change of scenery. Surely, in time we will all be up to speed. The texts are growing more complex over time, but not overwhelmingly so.
In my moments of respite I have taken some time to become better acquainted with Artemesia. I also sat in on Bishop De Borel’s sermon this Saysday. I intend to do so again next week. I can see why the Bishop is respected so. She is an eloquent speaker, and very earnest. I am unaccustomed to being surrounded by people who are so frank. I have forgotten just how boisterous the followers of the Mother Sun can be. I continue to remind myself that they intend to be friendly rather than rude, but the cultural divide is an obstacle which has proven difficult to surmount. I suppose we must give these things time and patience.
I hope that when next I write I will have better news to report on. Until then, I intend to continue to work diligently to meet Bishop De Borel’s expectations. As always, I hope that all is well at Saptagiri and look forward to the day upon which we may discuss the project at length. For now, I would rather not bore you with the minute details.
Your Faithful Pupil,
Robin Weiss
The Twelfth of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Why?
12th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
I know not why I feel the need to write on this day. It is no more special than yesterday, nor will it have been more special than tomorrow. It is simply the anniversary of something I never wished for.
My assumptions have been proven correct. The others seem to think that I reported the harassment of those three to Bishop De Borel, and that it was this that resulted in their expulsion. That this is untrue does not matter. They have reached their conclusion, and it would be a waste of my energy to attempt to convince anyone otherwise. Besides, whether they detest me due to a perceived breach of propriety, for my work ethic, or for my looks, the result is always the same. In the end, I will always be alone.
I am reminded of my time with the Blacksmith. In that town, where the mutterings of my cursed existence were abound whenever I dared emerge from the smithy. My sin was always my birth. But I was also never good enough. Not strong enough, not dull enough, not sorry enough. The only thing I was ever praised for was my silence, and even then, it was only because it meant I would not disrupt the Blacksmith’s hangovers.
I will never forget the night I returned from the chapel, ready to show the Blacksmith that I could write. I thought that we could finally come to understand one another, now that we could communicate. My knowledge was seen as arrogance, and jealousy rose into anger. It was the first time he had struck me. It was more shocking than painful. For both of us. When I look at my peers, sometimes I see his face. Those three resented me so, projected onto me an arrogance I have never had. Was that, too, because I represented something which they never had? I do not know, and it does not matter.
I still have yet to speak more than a few passing phrases to Mister Lamperos. For two weeks now, he has not slept in his own bed. Is my existence so hateful to him that he cannot put himself to rest while I am near? Have the rumors of my treachery found roots within his heart? It would not explain his absence throughout last week, even if such a thing were true.
Who am I to turn to? If we are to work together, and if I am to attempt to form bonds on this retreat, how is it possible to do so whilst my peers find me insufferable? Perhaps it is my fault. Perhaps I have allowed myself to grow complacent. Perhaps my time with Bishop Kramer has made me forget the lessons I had to learn so long ago. Perhaps I really am worthless without her. I have only been away from Saptagiri for two weeks, and already I find that I am unable to properly function on my own. People have called me a prodigy, but it is only because I am not dependent upon others to further my own research. Maybe the truth is that I never was any more talented than anyone else. Maybe the truth is simply that I was born lucky.
Why am I even still here? To suffer? The reality is that, for the past eighteen years, I have only held delusions of companionship. I have always been alone, and I lack the faculties to resolve this issue. I will always be alone. It is fruitless to fight it. It is my natural state. I am better off this way. These sleepless nights allow me to conduct my work without interruption. This solitude forces me to rely upon the only one I ever could. So long as I complete the task, I will be fulfilled. I do not need anyone else.
Good Riddance
8th of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Arsday was the due date for the first forty pages of our translations. It seems that the only acolytes to complete their assignments were Mister Lamperos and I. I anticipated that a few, perhaps, may not meet the deadline. To hear that nine of us fell short is nothing less than surprising. I suppose, however, that for many completing the task whilst acclimating to this new environment may have taken its toll. It would be presumptuous to assume negligence on the parts of so many.
It is reassuring to hear that Mister Lamperos, at least, is as capable as I might have hoped. Though we have yet to really connect, I will rest easier knowing that there is at least one acolyte whom I can trust to hold their weight. I must wonder what might happen to those who have not completed their portions in time, however. Will they be expected to complete this assignment alongside their next by our new deadline? Would Bishop De Borel send them all away? It seems unlikely that the remainder of the project would be left to rest on the shoulders of only two acolytes.
Yet it seems as though the three acolytes who had been so rude to me before have been sent home. We were told of Bishop De Borel’s decision this morning. Already our numbers are reduced to eight. I suppose I ought to be thankful to Bishop De Borel. I cannot imagine myself maintaining any semblance of cohesion with their ilk. Though even as we were told of our colleagues’ departure, I could feel disdainful eyes piercing me. Could it be that they think that I am somehow responsible for this turn of events?
Audacity
3rd of Vernari, 128 F.E.
I do not know what it is that my peers do during the daylight hours, but from my estimation it does not seem that they are very attentive to our mutual responsibilities. I have taken great strides in my own translation, and this morning I approached a trio of my fellow acolytes seeking to compare our notes and ensure consistency between our translations. To say that they were dismissive would be an understatement.
They derided me in Cuprum, under the assumption that I am not fluent, no doubt. They seemed to be under the understanding that my manner of speaking is my way of acting superior to others. They also derided me on the basis of my attentiveness to my work. When I attempted to clarify, they left without apologizing for their disrespect. I cannot believe that these layabouts were chosen to work on such an important project. Do they think that we are here on holiday?
No matter. I do not need their help. If they do not wish to follow Bishop De Borel’s deadline, they will have to deal with the consequences of their own lackadaisical attitudes. I will simply refine my own translation, and when it comes time for me to do the share of the work which they have neglected, I shall see that our fragments are consistent on my own. How uncouth they must be, to deride me for performing the task with which I have been assigned; to dare to suggest that I am filled with hubris when it is they who believe that they are above putting forth the slightest of efforts towards fulfilling their duty.
Settling
2nd of Vernari, 128 F.E.
I met my roommate this morning. If one could call it that. He expressed some regret about not seeing me last night. It seems that the male acolytes partook of the hot springs and bonded somewhat while I was working. Mister Lamperos mentioned that a number of them were under the assumption that I was staying in the women’s dormitory and were surprised upon learning that the two of us were sharing a room. Were I not so upset I might be flattered. It would seem that my appearance will be somewhat of a sticking point with my peers here after all. I do not understand why these things matter so much to people. I have never had any issues at Saptagiri.
We were stopped by three young women who were seeking Mister Lamperos. For what business I could not say, for I went ahead without him. It is a pity. I was hoping that Mister Lamperos and I could become better acquainted over breakfast. So long as we are sharing a room, it would be prudent to establish some sort of rapport. That aside, Mister Lamperos does not seem outwardly disturbed by my presence, and Bishop De Borel did advise us to collaborate. Perhaps another time.
Perhaps it is for the best. I will only need the support of others once I have something substantive to proofread anyhow. If I am to have my assignment completed by Arsday, I will need to spend the next couple of days analyzing the text and refining my translation. After breakfast, I acquainted myself with the campus. I discovered the chapel, the library, the courtyard, and a few other locales of interest. I also took time to steal myself away to the hot springs whilst nobody was there. It is so very refreshing, but I cannot bring myself to face the others in such a state. It would only make me more self conscious.
I then spent much of the rest of today making some headway into my translation. I took a break for dinner, but otherwise have confined myself to my room. Mister Lamperos has not returned, to my knowledge. I have made attempts not to consider where it is that he might be staying overnight if not in his bed, but the curiosity has struck me in my idle moments. Perhaps he is sleeplessly working somewhere else? I shall speculate no further.
Letter from Artemesia to Bishop Dorothea Kramer
1st of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Dear Sensei,
I am writing to inform you that I have arrived at Artemesia Sanctuary without incident. It would seem that Bishop De Borel has recruited ten other acolytes, so that we may divide the manuscripts and complete the translation more expediently. I know their names and their denominations, but little else that I might use to assess their capabilities.
The manuscripts are quite large, and a cursory glance at the portion which I have been initially been assigned indicates to me that a large amount of attention has been paid to detail. That having been said, the author of the portion which I have been assigned has not made my work any easier. The typical complications of translating Argenti aside, the author’s lack of proper punctuation will only make the task of translation that much more difficult. Even so, the allotted time should be more than enough to complete the task.
It would seem that the dormitories are segregated by sex. I hope that this fact is not a sign of issues to come. I am to share my quarters with one Ulrich Ron Lamperos. A Mother Sun acolyte, if memory serves. As of the writing of this letter, we have not had the opportunity to become acquainted. I hope that we shall find the company of one another agreeable.
Artemesia itself is quite the remarkable place. Nestled within snowy mountains, it is a place of warmth amidst the frigid Feroxi winds. I cannot help but note the difference between Feroxi and Aurumi architecture. Seeing the other acolytes has also given me some insight into the fashions of other lands. I cannot help but feels as though I will stand out. I do hope that my unusual appearance will not attract any unwanted attention. I suppose time will tell.
I shall write you again in time. Once I have acclimated to this new environment and gained some bearings on my task. Until that time comes, I pray that all is well at Saptagiri.
Your Faithful Pupil,
Robin Weiss
The First of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Artemesia
1st of Vernari, 128 F.E.
Today, Bishop Lemoranos and I arrived at Artemesia Sanctuary. Nestled away in snowy peaks, blown by the frigid Feroxi winds, the warm halls were a welcome and beautiful sight. To my surprise, it would seem that I am not the only acolyte who has been brought to Artemesia in order to translate the manuscripts. There are ten others. Bishop De Borel had us all introduce ourselves in turn before discussing the task at hand. I could feel the piercing gazes of my peers. I am not certain what it is that they think of me just yet, but it is clear that they have noticed me for better or for worse.
We have been given a simple task. Translate forty pages each by Arsday. A simple task, though it would seem the others might have been expecting a lighter duty for our first week. I must say, the size of the manuscripts are impressive, but not daunting. If all went to plan, we could finish translating both of them in a fraction of the given time. However, Bishop De Borel has accounted for the possibility that some of our rank may not be up to the task. A most wise estimation.
We shall have full access to the services of the sanctuary during our stay, and are expected to manage our own time. Of course, if the other acolytes have come on the recommendations of other Bishops, one would expect that we should all have the basic ability to handle ourselves professionally. Bishop De Borel advised us that we will likely need to work together in order to complete the translation by our deadline.
I took my assigned segment and made my way to the room which I have been assigned. It would seem that the dormitories at Artemesia are segregated by sex. I suppose this must be a peculiarity of Feroxi culture, not to trust the sexes to temper their lascivious impulses with reason and prudence. Why, it is laughable to think that whomsoever contrived such a rule might have thought that it would solve more problems than it might create.
Anyhow, it would seem that I will not be sleeping alone. A young man named Ulrich Ron Lamperos will be sharing a room with me. I believe he was the boy I had sat next to this morning. I did not have much opportunity to assess his character, and he has yet to come to our room, despite the fact that it is nearing curfew. I suppose how he keeps his time is none of my concern. That aside, I have been able to employ the silence of our quarters to draft the beginnings of my assignment. The person who wrote the manuscript was no scribe, by my estimation. To say that their penmanship is sloppy would perhaps do a disservice to the novice, who can at least be bothered to use proper punctuation.
A Long Road
29th of Fevrari, 128 F.E.
This evening I spent twice the amount of time meditating. I sought to calm my nerves and reflect before my arrival at Artemesia come Saysday. I wondered about Bishop De Borel; about the sort of woman she might be to have been friends with Sensei. I do hope that we get on well. I spent some time, as always, feeling the flow of the Weave around me. The winds howl outside of my window like a song in another tongue. I listen that I might overhear some ancient wisdom as I lay hands on my body. Soon. Soon I shall grasp the power which I have sought for so very long. Perhaps not before my birthday, but perhaps before my next.
Being on the road reminds me of that fateful trip I took with Sensei when she came to fetch me from Vayu’Ped. It feels like that trip was ages ago. I still remember the swath of conflicting emotions that washed over me on that day when I joined her on that carriage. Just the two of us to keep one another company. Looking back, I could have been more grateful to Sensei. She truly tried her best to ease my nerves at the time, but I scarcely knew kindness in those days, and so I found her rather tiresome.
I wonder what that child might have thought, were someone to tell them that one day they would hold those quiet moments so dearly in their heart? That in time, they would trust the woman on the carriage more than anyone in all of the Empire? I suppose that surly child would brush the discussion aside and pointedly inquire why it mattered if it had yet to happen. I have changed so much since then, but that child shall always be a part of me.
My thoughts carry over to Sensei. I wonder if she is meditating as well, or perhaps she has already finished. I wonder if she is concerned over my travels? I shall write her a letter after I arrive at the Sanctuary, so she might know that I have reached my destination without troubles. It shall be strange not to have Sensei to rely upon in my times of need. I am, of course, accustomed for some periods of time without her, as she is a very busy person. However, never since we have met have I had to endure over three months without being able to see her. Why, it shall be Summer by then.
Best not to concern myself with such things so shortly into this adventure, however. Certainly, I shall only torture myself further by dwelling upon it. I must collect my thoughts, hone them like a blade, that I might pierce into the deeper meaning of the words which I will most certainly be required to scribe come to morrow. If I am to please Bishop de Borel, I must focus my efforts fully upon the task with which I am to be assigned.
A Sudden Departure
28th of Fevrari, 128 F.E.
It would seem that Sensei has recommended my services to a friend. This evening, when I went to see her, I found her in the company of a man who introduced himself as Bishop Marcuse Lemoranos. Bishop Lemoranos was visiting on behalf of Artemesia Sanctuary in Ferox. The purpose for this visit was apparently to appraise me before accepting my services. Once he had left, Sensei offered an explanation of the situation.
Bishop Sophia De Borel of Artemesia Sanctuary, an old friend of hers, was in possession of two important manuscripts. The manuscripts were weather reports from the Colony, each independently drafted, one in Argenti, the other in Cuprum. Sensei had known about the situation for several months now, and has apparently been preparing me for the task. I have been requested for a period of three months. I would have liked to know in advance, but I suppose prior knowledge would have risked distraction, and so keeping me in the dark until now was more pragmatic.
Bishop Lemoranos has a carriage prepared for our transport to the sanctuary. We have already left Saptagiri, and make our way toward Ferox. Bishop Lemoranos has assured me that the trip will take only three days of overland travel. The man is as friendly as one might expect of a member of the Mother Sun clergy, and as boisterous. I suppose I could have worse company on such a long trip.
I am honored that Sensei has personally recommended me above all of the other acolytes to undertake this task. When the transliteration is completed, I shall have my name attached to the tome. The prospect is exciting. Even so, I find myself concerned. Since arriving Saptagiri with Sensei so long ago, I have never been away from the monastery for such a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, Ferox is much colder than Aurumo at this time of the year. All of this without speaking of the inevitable culture shock of taking up residency in a Mother Sun sanctuary for such a long time. However, as much as these thoughts distract me now, I must steel myself. I cannot allow my personal feelings to inhibit my performance. I will work tirelessly to exceed Bishop De Borel’s expectations. To do anything else would be to disappoint Sensei and bring shame to my professional reputation.
Magic Missive to Dorothea After Completing Light Tower
5th of Harvestus, 130 F.E.
My Dear Dorothea,
I hope that Delphine’s letter found you well. I asked her to send a message ahead of me so that I might have some time to more compose a proper response. I have received a number of your errant messages. I pulled them from the Aperture that has intercepted our communications. One of these messages seems to have been imprinted with your side of a conversation you had with Archbishop De Borel about me. It was not my intention to eavesdrop on your private communications and I apologize for having received them. If it is of any relief, without context there is little that can be gleaned from it.
There are many things which I would like to speak to you about, and many things I would like to tell you. However, the aperture is distorting time around it, and I do not think that my proximity to it at the moment will be conducive to sharing everything at once. Indeed, I am not certain how many days might pass for me before this letter reaches your hands. If it helps, I am writing this letter two nights after Delphine sent hers. As such, I wish to offer some assurances, and some information in the meantime.
I want you to know that you have always had my consent to use your divination magic to see me, and it gives me heart to know you still hold that which I gave you to facilitate this. While we may grow distant in physical proximity I did not embark on my journey with the intent to abandon you. I created this spell to have a means to communicate with you, and it has always been my hope that we might one day reunite in a space that is outside of our dreams.
I cannot thank you enough for your devotion in trying to assist my friends and I. Had your messages not been absorbed by the aperture, they would have been instrumental to our battles with the enemy. Your correspondence is always welcome. Indeed, messages that have nothing to do with the perils of my journey are bright spots in otherwise dark times.
My friends and I are at the site of the aperture at this very moment, and we intend to close it, for a variety of reasons. In the interest of transparency, I came here in large part to remove this obstacle to our correspondence, however, we have other important reasons for being in this treacherous space.
As you already know, I am traveling with Delphine Finley. I am also traveling with her parents. Philomena spoke of you fondly when I mentioned your name, and mentioned other friends in your group, including a woman I have come to understand to be my mother, though at the time I was not certain of her identity. I was intending to ask you how well you might have known her, however, though the knowledge did not fall upon me with either of our consent, I nonetheless know now that you once knew one another. Again, I must apologize for inadvertently receiving your private conversation.
Some day when we have the time I would like to learn more about her, and the promise that you made to her. With this being said, I thought it prudent to remind you that the you who exists as my dear friend is not the you of the past. While I am curious about how it is that the machinations of life’s contrivances brought us together, I do not wish for these things to affect our bond going forward, unless that is your preference.
Before I finish this missive, I also ought to warn you. I am traveling with the daughter of Thairon Hibbert, and Salma’s husband. In a vision, we saw Jack and Maximillian kill Thairon, and conspired with the enemy to have Salma killed. They caused Alaric’s disappearance, and said that Siesko was also coordinating with them in some capacity, at the very least at the time at which they killed Thairon. Be cautious. You and Archbishop De Borel may be in grave danger. I shall write you as I am able. I must spare my own energy often to ensure my survival, but I have the ability to return the messages you send me and will gladly do so to maintain contact. Once this ordeal with the aperture is concluded, I hope that we can have a frank discussion and divulge to one another as much as we would like, without fear of interception.
Yours,
Robin
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