Key letters / scrying etc. from across the campaign

This page details some key letters, scryings and other bits of information that may be pertinent to the main plot, in broadly chronological order.

## Kunai scrying Werri (a few weeks after their encounter in the Birsack Mires)

You see a room, it’s dark, lit only by candles. In the room are four people. A lizardfolk female, who Kunai would know to be Werri, a tall human man with long black ponytail and long fu-Manchu style moustache, who Kunai would know to be the Archmagi Draxius, there is also a female elf, and a male tiefling. All are wearing long blood red-robes. You appear to have joined mid-conversation, with Draxius speaking:

“*… the setback in Faendorei is most unfortunate, to say the least. But, thankfully, it seems that neither we nor our other contacts within the Empire have been implicated. However, I have been informed that the Iysgarthian Judiciary, with the help of the Crimson League, are stepping up their investigations. So, to be safe, I am ordering that all of our activities within the Empire cease immediately. Once their investigations are concluded, and I’m assured they soon will be, we will continue again.*”

At this point the Tiefling interrupts angrily: “*And, what exactly, do you propose we do in the meantime. I expended much effort in establishing the Ostarian network*”

Draxius interrupts. “*But clearly not enough effort, Valmir, else the Faeondorei operation would not have failed. Anyway, worry not about your workload, for I also have some good news to report, that will ensure you have much to keep yourself occupied. In the last few days, Quagrem has communed with me directly, and on his direction, I have successfully made contact with a new ally. **The Captain of the Phoenix Armada**. It seems that our aims and those of this Captain are strongly aligned, and we have agreed a tentative alliance. So Valmir, you are to travel with this Captain. You will do as he commands, help him, and learn from him. By all accounts it seems that he is an exceptionally powerful mage, so he should be able to aid you greatly in your research.  Werri, you shall go as well. After your success in dealing with those assassins you have proven yourself to be most competent. I wish you to keep a close eye on the Captain. We have agreed to an alliance, yes, but I am not fool enough to trust him*.”

“*Well, I think that is all. You know your duties. See to it that they are done. Valmir, Werri, I shall give you details on how to find the Captain soon. Ensure you are ready to depart at a moment’s notice.*”

And with that, the moustache man stands up, nods curtly to the others, and with a flourish of his robes exits through a door behind him. Werri, the Tiefling (Valmir), and the elf then stand up and leave via a different door. The remainder of the scry is Werri walking through a series of dark corridors. Eventually she enters a basic looking bedroom, where she begins packing various items, most notably a large tome (similar to the one Belgear uses), before eventually the vision fades.

## Letter to Queen Shultzi (leader of the Yuan-ti slaver tribe in the Birsack mires) from "R"

Dear Queen Shultzi,

As discussed, delivery of your next batch is expected on the first full moon following the solstice. Your previous delivery was disappointing to say the least. Few of the products survived the journey. Make sure that the next batch is of better stock, or I shall have to consider terminating our agreement. On delivery you shall receive payment at the rate discussed.

And remember, if you keep to the agreement, rule of the Birsack’s in the new order will be yours.

Regards,

R

P.S. 32. Weed. Hut. Needle. 27. Iron. Hunter. Smoke.

\*After finding the letter, the group sort the help of the Caracuzza in working out what the code at the end of the letter meant. They discovered that it was pirate code for a specific location along the coast of the Birsack Mires, hidden away behind The Spine. The group went to the location at the time specified and saw several large ships with orange sails, one of which was very large and had a prow carved in the shape of the massive phoenix. The group assume therefore that R might be the same person as the Captain of the Phoenix Armada mentioned in Kunai's scrying.

## Older letter found on Purple pirates ship, addressed to "Purple" from "R"

Dear Purple,

A few things.

First, you will be pleased to hear that under the direction of E , I am continuing to grow the alliance. I have recently made an agreement with a mage-cult  based in the Empire. They already have an extensive network across Ostaria (though it seems this network has recently suffered a setback) and they can offer us access to territories hitherto unavailable to us. Their leader (code name D) is also sending two of his operatives (codenames W and V) to aid me with my research. How useful they will be remains to be seen.

Second, on the subject of research, Blue  has recently contacted me. His associated on Khaldaria believed he had found part of the artefact we are searching for. Unfortunately, this associated was killed before he could retrieve it. It seems likely that the killers (some archaeologists from Ilbidor of all people!) are now in possession of the artefact. As such, I am tasking you with keeping a close eye on these archaeologists… they may well lead us to what we seek. Perhaps your associate on the 2nd can aid with this? I understand that he has fingers in a lot of pies!

Regards,

R

P.S. Keep an eye on Green will you. He’s missed his past three deliveries. I am beginning to question his commitment.

## Newer letter found on Purple pirates ship, addressed to "Purple" from "R"

Dear Purple,

Good news! E has recently been contacted by an old (believed dead) acquaintance of his. For reasons I shall outline in due course, this acquaintance (code name N ) likely holds the key to our endeavours. However, to do this, we must "help" N with a rather complex task. I have ordered V and W (who have proved to be surprisingly competent) to take point on this. They and I will be meeting with N soon to discuss the details.

It is possible that this task will cause me to be out of action from general duties for some time. In that event, E has declared that you shall assume operational command. So be ready.

Regards,

R

P.S. Green has gone MIA. Last seen in Echs. If you have any intel contact me immediately. If he is indeed gone his position will need to be filled to ensure upkeep of the quotas.

## Letter from Dr Page to the group

Dear Archaeologists,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I write to provide you with vital information pertaining to your current mission. I would have liked to discuss this in person, but, for reasons that will become clear, I did not want to have this conversation in front of the Dwarven ambassadors, and Dr T wished you to leave immediately.

As you know, Professor Xandar and I have spent the past month rigorously studying the two tablet pieces and associated scrolls that are currently in the guild’s possession. This has been a regrettably slow process due to the damaged the items had sustained, but thanks to the expert restorative skill of Prof. Xandar, I believe we have finally worked out the true purpose of the tablet!

It seems that the tablet is designed for use with a complex spell that temporarily conjures an avatar of Asmodeus to the material plane WITHOUT causing his other avatars in Baator to disappear. The duration of this summoning is unclear (we shall keep investigating) and the specifics of why a temporary avatar would be useful is beyond me. This does however seem to explain the ancient canvas you found, which had seemed to show an impossible number of Asmodeus’s avatars at once!

I hardly need tell you how dangerous an avatar of Asmodeus would be, even if temporary. It is for this reason I did not want to say this in front of the dwarves (they believe the tablet is simply an intriguing artefact), the fewer people who know of this the better.

I have made it clear to Dr T that I believe the tablet pieces and spell scrolls need to be kept as securely and secretly as possible. In the wrong hands this information could be catastrophic. I suggest that we hide one of the pieces we have in Master Quails tower – the magical protections he has are formidable. It is now vital that you complete your mission as quickly as possible. The sooner the dwarves move the real tablet to their deepest and securest vault the better!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions,

Best wishes,

Dr Page.