Letter from Marina-Euthemia Alethe to a Patronised Treasure Hunter, 1407

Miss Serano,
To preface this letter, I would like to apologise for being unable to discuss these matters with you in person while you were in Argyria. I had a bit of personal business to attend to in Keld which tragically coincided with your visit. I appreciate your prudence in leaving a note this time.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on a successful expedition to the Great Fissure! I understand your disappointment in not uncovering any 'great ancient artifact', as you put it, but the shards of pottery you recovered will do wonders for my personal research and for the Chamber of Curiosities. The markings on some of these pieces are truly fascinating!
If you are wondering, I did check the samples you left and they are unfortunately not true purple, though the physical resemblance is remarkable. My best guess is that they are the decomposing remains of some hitherto unknown creature lurking in the Fissure. For future reference, true purple smells much more briny and much less... emetic. I was ultimately able to sell the liquid to an alchemist acquaintance of mine for further experimentation, though much of the profits went towards the resulting cleaning fees. Nonetheless, your cut of the sale is included with the rest of your fee.
On the subject of patronage, I was very much confused by your proposed 'alternative rewards' you could be given in lieu of payment. I can understand wanting your own exploits to be more acknowledged, especially considering your contributions to the Chamber, but I'm not sure the 'gold-plated bust' or 'marble statue' of yourself you suggest I put in the foyer is necessarily appropriate or thematic to the collection. I also would like to reiterate that I do not have some special ability to acquire sculptures of people, and that you are perfectly capable of commissioning a sculptor on your own with sufficient funds. That being said, please do not do this. Speaking as your friend rather than as your patron, this would be a profound waste of money that would be much more wisely spent paying off some of those debts you've accrued. Before you reply, I'm well aware that paying off debts is 'no fun'.
If it would please you, I could draw more attention to your contributions when I take visitors to tour the Chamber, though this may not have much of an effect. In my experience, a majority of my guests are interested in the value or notoriety of a piece and, sadly, little else. Those who do inquire as to how I acquired each piece tend to be my fellow collectors, and I can assure you they tend to offer less work for a lower pay. Regardless, I believe your own accounts of your exploits are likely to land you far more attention than mine could muster.
Now, onto the matter at hand. I have come across a lead as to the potential whereabouts of the Helm of Leth. This lead is couched largely in rumours, but for such a prized artifact these rumours are well worth investigating. I need you to travel to Wicaster and ask a man by the name of Gaven Chester as to the last known whereabouts of the ship The Gleaming Ruby. He will most likely not be forthcoming, but I know you have your methods - again, there is no need to describe the intimate details of these methods to me. Incidentally, if you happen to bring back any Wicaster Rock I will gladly buy it for a premium; I cannot find it anywhere in Argyria.
I have left 1,000 scallops in your usual spot. If this information does lead to a successful retrieval of the Helm, I may consider your statue proposal.
Yours faithfully,
Marina-Euthemia Alethe.
P.S. Please don't forget to burn this message once you're done with it this time.

Type

Text, Letter

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

1407

Authors

• Marina-Euthemia Alethe