Respected Master Seimei;
I hope that you have received the parcel of letters I asked Rhino to carry to Kenabres on my behalf. This is my first missive to you since he departed from Drezen.
Rhino
These past weeks we have been diligent in working to make Drezen and its Citadel a safe place of habitation, removing all traces of its former foul overlords. The forge has been reclaimed from corruption and can now be purposed to create weapons and tools of good. Jiro has been using his magic to cause gardens to produce crops as though an entire year had passed, and I have lent my aid by causing the vegetables and grains to grow larger and be more fruitful.
While I have been occupied in learning the skills of the Riftwardens and aiding Aravashnial in training new potentials for the organization, Zosta has been training the residents of Drezen in defense techniques, as there are still occasional demons turning up that did not flee and were not within the Citadel when we took it.
While I have been occupied in learning the skills of the Riftwardens and aiding Aravashnial in training new potentials for the organization, Zosta has been training the residents of Drezen in defense techniques, as there are still occasional demons turning up that did not flee and were not within the Citadel when we took it.
Aravashnial
Rhino remained with us for some days before returning to Kenabres. During that time I heard rumors that Runa has formed an attachment to him. She appeared to attempt to kiss him when he parted from us, although I am not confident that I interpreted her actions accurately. My knowledge of the courtship customs of other peoples is rather limited. I have observed a change in behavior of Jiro and Zosta, also. They seem to look at one another more frequently when we are all together and often smile. It is curious. There has been a change in Bohgong's behavior as well.
The young treekin who has been caring for the garden Jiro created has at last been given a name, Gami, which seems to make it quite happy. The garden itself has become so popular with the residents of Drezen that Jiro and I have taken to using a magical sanctuary he created as a location for meditation rather than the garden. Gami is beginning to show promise as guardian and keeper of the garden.
I had not mentioned in my previous missive that Runa encountered Nurah the halfling while she went on patrol with Zero. At that time she recalled that while Nurah said little during their encounter, Nurah did say to her, "He is coming," She did not have an opportunity to ask who "he" is before Nurah disappeared. Aron then took it upon himself to leave coded messages in the countryside where Nurah might find them, encouraging her to come to safety within the Citadel. Aron has been very forgiving toward Nurah, despite her having left the very drug on which he had become dependent in his pack to tempt him.
Just before Rhino parted from us, Aron found a message he believed to be from Nurah, which he spent the entire night translating. Just as Rhino stepped through the portal to return to Kenabres, Aron raced up to where we all stood to bid Rhino farewell and exclaimed that Nurah's warning had actually been, "He is near," which was mean to convey that Xanthir Vang, creator of the elixir our enemies have used to make more powerful creatures, has nearly perfected this method of using the nahyndrian crystals. In addition to seeking out the redeemed succubus Arushalae, we must also seek out Vang, who is believed to lead the Blackfire Adepts from a stronghold somewhere to the southwest of Drezen. We must stop Vang before his elixir method can be passed on to his demonic allies.
Other dangers await us as well when we say farewell to Drezen. Drake riders have been seen, though they have not attempted to approach Drezen. We must eliminate the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth as well as Xanthir Vang himself, or at least severely weaken their strength. If Drezen is to thrive and we are to reclaim more territory on behalf of the Crusade, we must have farmland, pasture, forest, and water that we need not spend all our resources defending from our enemies.
When we sally forth to pursue these quests, we will not be accompanied by any of our comrades who came with us from Kenabres to Drezen. Irabeth and Anevia must remain at the Citadel to continue to hold it at the behest of Queen Galfrey. Aron and Sosiel will remain as well, and Aravashnial must continue training the Riftwarden recruits. We know that Zero will accompany us to seek Arushalae, but we do not yet know if he will continue in our company after she is found. We will be on our own and will have none to rely upon but ourselves. For this reason we are making ourselves as prepared as we are able before we set off. I will continue to write when I can, but I do not know how long it may be before I can send these letters.
In the meantime I am ever your faithful student. May Qi Zhong keep you safe and well.
Next: part 54, Into the Marchlands
The young treekin who has been caring for the garden Jiro created has at last been given a name, Gami, which seems to make it quite happy. The garden itself has become so popular with the residents of Drezen that Jiro and I have taken to using a magical sanctuary he created as a location for meditation rather than the garden. Gami is beginning to show promise as guardian and keeper of the garden.
I had not mentioned in my previous missive that Runa encountered Nurah the halfling while she went on patrol with Zero. At that time she recalled that while Nurah said little during their encounter, Nurah did say to her, "He is coming," She did not have an opportunity to ask who "he" is before Nurah disappeared. Aron then took it upon himself to leave coded messages in the countryside where Nurah might find them, encouraging her to come to safety within the Citadel. Aron has been very forgiving toward Nurah, despite her having left the very drug on which he had become dependent in his pack to tempt him.
Just before Rhino parted from us, Aron found a message he believed to be from Nurah, which he spent the entire night translating. Just as Rhino stepped through the portal to return to Kenabres, Aron raced up to where we all stood to bid Rhino farewell and exclaimed that Nurah's warning had actually been, "He is near," which was mean to convey that Xanthir Vang, creator of the elixir our enemies have used to make more powerful creatures, has nearly perfected this method of using the nahyndrian crystals. In addition to seeking out the redeemed succubus Arushalae, we must also seek out Vang, who is believed to lead the Blackfire Adepts from a stronghold somewhere to the southwest of Drezen. We must stop Vang before his elixir method can be passed on to his demonic allies.
Other dangers await us as well when we say farewell to Drezen. Drake riders have been seen, though they have not attempted to approach Drezen. We must eliminate the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth as well as Xanthir Vang himself, or at least severely weaken their strength. If Drezen is to thrive and we are to reclaim more territory on behalf of the Crusade, we must have farmland, pasture, forest, and water that we need not spend all our resources defending from our enemies.
When we sally forth to pursue these quests, we will not be accompanied by any of our comrades who came with us from Kenabres to Drezen. Irabeth and Anevia must remain at the Citadel to continue to hold it at the behest of Queen Galfrey. Aron and Sosiel will remain as well, and Aravashnial must continue training the Riftwarden recruits. We know that Zero will accompany us to seek Arushalae, but we do not yet know if he will continue in our company after she is found. We will be on our own and will have none to rely upon but ourselves. For this reason we are making ourselves as prepared as we are able before we set off. I will continue to write when I can, but I do not know how long it may be before I can send these letters.
In the meantime I am ever your faithful student. May Qi Zhong keep you safe and well.
Irabeth Tirabade
Anevia Tirabade
Aron Kir
Sosiel Vaenic
Horgus Gwerm
Next: part 54, Into the Marchlands
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