Ludlow Correspondence

== Redoran-Ludlow Marriage Proposal ==
=== Mancel Ludlow to General A'Draak ===
Dear Sir A’Draak,
I, Lord Ludlow, am writing this letter to General 
A’Draak of House Redoran to kindly ask for the consideration of an 
offer. My niece under my care, Serenity Piers of the Heartstone side of 
my wife’s family, is coming of age in only a few months. I believe it 
would be prudent and advantageous to bind our two homes in the bonds of 
matrimony.''
As you might know, the Ludlow Accord have been 
transporting Redoran cargo for over thirty years – a small number in the
 honourable Drow’s years, but half a lifetime for a human such as I. To 
cement this relationship for the years to come, and the generations 
after us, I ascertain a marriage would be the best option.''
Forgive
 me if I have intruded, I must admit I do not know much about the Drow 
and their culture. I do not know if marriage is sacred to one’s own 
race, or if purebloods are preferred.''
Serenity Piers is a quiet 
girl but beautiful and quite intelligent. She is of partial elven 
heritage on her father’s side and I have been told she will age more 
slowly than the average human. She has a passion for her books and 
stories and often spends her time writing in very fine penmanship. On a 
more quirksome note, she seems to have taken a fancy to the sword. I 
have benefited from her companionship on business trips where she noted 
suspicious activity or gathered information that I or my men did not 
notice. She has a very keen eye for detail and a nose for trouble – and 
staying out of it.''
Please accept my apologies if this was 
unsolicited. I hope to hear back from you soon and set up a date to send
 Serenity to you. I have enclosed a small portrait with this letter so 
you might know what she looks like.''
Yours most graciously,
Mancel Ludlow, Lord of Caybourne
=== General A'Draak to Mancel Ludlow ===
To the Lord Admiral Mancel Ludlow
I, General A'Draak the Lizard, in 
service of the Battle Matron Redoran and the Pirate King Avani; 
hereinafter referred to as Lady Mossa and King Xankresh do humbly state 
my intentions of correspondence upon this date the first day of 
Obscura's Moon, in the year of Our Lady 1014.''
I must apologize for
 my regretful lack of communication, for I had become indisposed as the 
defense of the human fortification known as the River's Ford took place 
mere hours after receipt. Furthermore, due to the sudden and unforeseen 
demonic assault that took place as the battle had been overturned unto 
our victory, the Lady Mossa suffered extensive injury in regards to 
facing a formidable Hell Knight as well as deflecting a rather massive 
portion of a rampart from falling atop her in the midst of culling the 
scourge. Regretfully nearly all of the humans under our army's care were
 defeated, while our soldiers for their part attempted evacuation 
procedures while making an effort to sterilize the infestation.''
We
 were unsuccessful in our efforts, as it will no doubt come to be known 
as a Massacre I am most certain. I must apologize, that is not what you 
must have been waiting to hear but I am not a man who can so easily add 
these things as mere footnotes upon my page. 
I am unfamiliar with
 humanity and the customs of courtship, why even my correspondence must 
seem painfully simplistic and unrefined to those who engage in such 
studious activity regularly. In these regards I offer nothing, for alas 
my manner of speech is most ill formed and barbaric I am afraid, and 
thus no amount of reparations would excuse such an astonishing lack of 
wit. 
I would make certain that the honorable Lord Admiral be 
notified that Drow have significant differences in accordance to 
geographical and religious observances. While King Xankresh is quite 
progressive and gregarious in his actions and laws regarding his home of
 the Isles Nagari, my people have long since been broken of interactions
 among those of other races. For we were all once nomadic colonists 
expanding the grip of our mother empire in the distance prelude to this 
current amalgam of elvish and human civilizations. I myself am but the 
last of the chieftains that came prior to the inclusion of my tribesmen 
into the Redoran's compassionate and merciful assimilation.''
For 
these reasons stated, there is no cultural boundary that would not 
permit me to marry outside of the loose association of Drow, however 
such beliefs are not unfounded. Those of my people and of the Lady Mossa
 are far removed from what one could consider 'typical' norms associated
 with the broad spectrum that is the race of Drow. 
It is under 
the authority vested in my person by my Lady Mossa and by my King 
Xankresh, that I would dutifully receive Serenity Piers under my 
compassionate care and enact a period of introductions and exchanging of
 relational dialogue. I would now end this correspondence and bit you 
good health and permit expedient travel of this documentation by way of 
the official seal of House Redoran.''
Sincerely and Truly,
A'Draak of House Redoran
== Ludlow-Vennet Marriage Proposal ==
=== Amayl Heartstone-Rodin to Freyr Vennet ===
Lord Vennet,
It is with the utmost respect and my deepest regrets that
 I should write to you in these trying times. We pray to Aradia that 
Lady Rivka Vennet finds peace in the sacrifice Lord Jaster Blackthorne 
made for our Divine Lady.''
And we take action to ensure this demon menace will not take another husband from your darling daughter.
We
 would like to remind you that we of the Ludlow Accord are strong on 
Caybourne. We have a fine navy which can respond to Briochi within two 
days. Our military is made of loyal men and High Felines, honourable all
 and ferocious fighters.''
I tell you all this to warm you to this 
proposition: Lord Mancel Ludlow’s eldest son and heir, Casim Ludlow, 
born 998 AE, is eligible for marriage. He is a fine swordsman, a 
brilliant scholar, and a handsome young man. I enclose a portrait for 
your perusal. As you may know, his heritage can be traced back to the 
great merchant king, Keyair Heartstone. Any concerns over his bloodline 
can be discussed and proven in-person.''
We understand these are 
trying times and that Lady Rivka may not be prepared for a marriage so 
soon after the valiant death of her late husband. But as a woman I 
understand the sacrifices we must make for our families. I believe Rivka
 would understand too.''
Of course, we also understand that there 
was time to consummate the marriage. Should a Blackthorne child be with 
Lady Rivka, we would also welcome this new addition to the family like 
it were our own blood.''
Aradia go with you,
Lady Amayl Heartstone-Rodin,of the Ludlow Accord in Caybourne
=== Dominic Blackthorne to Mancel Ludlow ===
Lord Ludlow,
It would seem that you have sought to arrange a match 
between your son Casim and the recently-widowed Lady Rivka. It does not 
escape my attention that this was done without any prior consultation 
with myself or any other member of House Blackthorne. Despite this I 
have deemed it appropriate that negotiations may proceed with my 
blessing.''
House Blackthorne trusts that the Accord will remember 
this show of good faith, and will in future respond in kind with a 
gratitude that it has so far copiously failed to demonstrate.''
Regards,Dominic, Rightful Lord of House Blackthorne, Lord-Paramount of the Thunderlands, and Shield of the West.
=== Freyr Vennet to Amayl Heartstone-Rodin ===
Lady Heartstone-Rodin,
I greatly appreciate your sympathy. Indeed 
things have been very difficult for my dear daughter. Though she is 
very grieved at the loss of her beloved husband I think it would be in 
her best interest and the best interest of Briochi for her to find 
another husband as soon as possible.''
I know very little of Casim 
but he appears to be a comely lad. I will not insult you by questioning
 his linage. The Heartstones are a good line and one I would be honored
 to ally my house with. 
Let me assure the current unrest in 
Briochi is almost at an end and the imposter should not pose any threat 
to your house or Rivka’s inheritance should this union be finalized. 
Rivka is well liked and the citizen’s of Briochi will celebrate to know 
she is given into a happy marriage with such a prestigious merchant 
house.''
I would very much like to meet with Lord Ludlow and 
yourself if you are so inclined as soon as possible. There are a few 
items it would be best to discuss in person and for Rivka’s sake I would
 like to move quickly so she can be assured that she will be taken care 
of.''
Rivka and I wait in joyful anticipation of your reply. We 
will be honored to meet Casim and I can foresee a union of much 
happiness between them.''
Yours Sincerely,
Lord Freyr Vennet of Briochi