Messages

Domhnall,

Regarding Banafsi and Sirhandi, I've found just telling people things gets me ignored.  If you can't see anything, maybe there isn't one.

Regarding the boy, it is just a series of coincidences.  A unnamed boy was involved in several pivotal moments with the Orentid.  A boy was accompanying a Tonsured, with dreams of a cup and Ibtihal.  Now a nameless boy travels with our royal, fanning him.  It may be nothing, but I think it reasonable to look closely at all of these folks we are so easily offering sanctuary. 

- Sparrow

Domhnall,

I see.  I would also encourage you to be wary of the boy who came with the Royal.  I would suggest having an Oathsworn examine him, and perhaps have him checked to make sure he is not more than he seems.  It is a gut feeling, supported by some evidence. 

-Sparrow

Domhnall,

He is indeed, but the book's worth reading all the same.  It tells some important history about him, from Baz'eel's point of view.  Don't worry, it's not heretical.  It's sold by the temple.  I think it might be in some way related to the current Banafsi situation, alongside some other evidence.  I want to know what you think though. 

- Sparrow

Legate,

I thought about what to tell you about Banafsi, and how to tell it.  I've told things before, and they go ignored.  Dismissed as rantings by people who don't understand or connect things like I do.  So, forgive me if this sounds cryptic.

First, an observation.  I am curious what situations lead to this leader being deposed.  Was it a military coup?  A rebellion from within?  I think it matters very much to know what lead to this leader's failure.

Second, I would like to hear your thoughts on the words of "Heresiarch Sirhandi".  If you do not have a copy one can be purchased in the Water Temple of the Souk for a modest sum.  If you find it interesting I can recommend other related readings.

Live and drink,

-Sparrow

Esteemed Rayrul the Wise,

I am a scholar and licensed archaeologist of the Well.  I have purchased all three volumes of your fifth edition of "Lives of the Maribid" and have found them quite enlightening.  The history of the Caliphate is incredibly fascinating to a refugee such as myself.  I do have a question however.  In reading through them I notice there are entries for Osman I, II, IV, V, and VI, but there is no mention of Osman III.  Is there a reason for this omission? 

At first I thought perhaps he reigned during the Centuries of Thirst, but considering those centuries were started by Osman IV that does not seem correct.  There is however a conspicuous gap between the end of Feydsiyyar I's reign and the beginning of Alikah I's.  Was the information on Osman III perhaps meant to sit in this gap and somehow got mistakenly edited out?

I keep a small room in the Krak, so a note left there will certainly reach me.  I eagerly await to hear from you.

In knowledge,

-Sparrow

Can we get some kind of notification on login where you are told if you have a property that doesn't currently have enough stored coin to pay rent?

Grandmaster,

Please forgive me if contacting you directly is presumptuous.  I contact you to ask your aid in resolving a matter I have heard rumblings of concern from my fellow Balladeers.  The Banda have been shown repeatedly throwing their support behind the Astronomers, seeking to exploit their mistakes by offering protection contracts.  This is a problem because the actions of the Astronomers have been putting them in repeated opposition against us Balladeers.  I was under the impression that the contract we have with the Banda superseded all other contracts.  Was I correct in this? 

- Student Sparrow

Hek was pretty cool.  Don't be so down on yourself.  There are two sides to "Being important" in the setting.  First is your own personal engagement and concept, which seemed great.  Hek was a great concept, and the interactions I had with the character were interesting, if limited.  The other side comes down to the setting reacting to what you do, and that is largely out of your control. 

Constant poverty is a real issue right now for most people that aren't Ashfolk unless they can solo bounties consistently or have an OOC premade questing group.  Pick up questing groups can form, but they take quite a bit of time and effort.   It's not just a "you" problem. 

Basically, you did great, Hek was great.  Look forward to seeing what you make next. 

My friend,

First, congratulations are in order for becoming Legate by vote, rather than by appointment.  The large margin speaks well of the work you are doing, and how well you are taking to the position.  I also appreciate the appointment of Aubrey as a Magistrate.  It is nice to see a face of an Accorded faction get so recognized.

The ranks of the Balladeers have been swelling in the wake of the battle.  All those who have joined seem to be good hearted, and devoted to the renewal of the world and bringing hope to the Well.  As part of that endeavor, I would like to make a request.

One of our number would like to see Lynneth immortalized in stone, to be remembered as the hero she was.  I think such an action would do a great deal to inspire others to follow her selfless example.  Given the number of new Students we have, I think having such a symbol to aspire to would only benefit the Rose, and by extension the Well. 

He was considering having the Rose raise the funds for such a thing ourselves, but I saw this as an excellent opportunity for you to show yours and the Well's gratitude.  It is not just for Lynneth's actions leading up to and during the battle, but for the Sisters helping deal with the consequences after.  If the Well sees that these are the actions that are rewarded with recognition by the government of the Well, I think it can only serve to make it a better place.

If you're interested in dipping into the coffers for this, please respond and let me know.  I'm not writing you this as an official representative of the Balladeers, but as a friend who saw an opportunity here for you. 

Live and drink,

-Sparrow

My friend,

I have lived, I have drank, and I have pondered on our discussion today over The Drink.  I decided to write you this, because I can get my thoughts down much better in written form.  Letters seem to pour from my fingertips easier than they roll off my clumsy tongue. 

I thought about justice, and about what it was in this case.  I thought about where the blame truly lied.  It is correct, Marcellus was backed into a corner.  Lynneth was backed into a corner.  There was no good move in this case, because the Well is surrounded by monsters who see Refugees as nothing but something to be exploited. 

Since the moment Lynneth pushed for war and Marcellus asked for raised hands,  I have had a sense of dread growing in my guts that I could not make sense of.  I realized it went back to something I recognized as soon as Colmes spoke of the Tonsured over the bellows.  We had been put in a situation we could not win.  Any move we made would be the wrong one, and in that moment we were not heroes.  We were /victims/ as much as the Refugees were.

If anybody should be blamed for this, it is the one who set the refugees on this path.  The one who united them around Ibtihal, to make it so Baz'eel abandoned us.  By all evidence we have now, this points to the Tonsured. 

They should be the source of our ire friend.  Not the memories of our fallen comrades.  Not the Legate being scapegoated.  Not even the Astronomers.  We were put in a situation with no possible move that brought victory, because we were outplayed in a game we didn't even know we were participating in.  Even if the Tonsured's intentions were /somehow/ good, their methods could not have been better designed to kill us.

This was an attack, not just on the refugees, but on the Well.  Thinking of it from that perspective brings me a measure of peace.  I hope it does the same to you.

- Sparrow

Kragg was cool and I am annoyed he died leaving a mystery. 

To Those who Guard this Place,

Greetings.  I am sure you have seen me place this note, and pray you will forgive the intrusion.  I am a scholar of Ephia's Well, devoted to learning the shames and sorrows of the past so that we might avoid them in the future.  I wander, with Warad's blessing, to find new roads as he commands and help provide knowledge of them to those who can make the best use of it to help renew the world. 

It seems, given the actions in the conflict against the Sibilant south of Nusrum, that it may be useful for us to open a line of communication.  The one we call the "Tonsured" that guides that child with the Cup seems to obviously run contrary to your interests, but we are blind to their intent or their abilities.  It is my fear that the flailing in the dark of those in the Well will only cause more harm to your cause. 

I understand your desire to remain secret, and to keep things guarded, and understand if you do not wish to respond to this desperate plea.  Even so, if you wish to meet and discuss please leave a note in response tucked in the stones near the bones of the Drake at the tomb where it has been written Phor lies, alongside the Giant's Road.  I will check there, every day, for seven days.  I expect you will be watching me as I do so.  If I do not get a response in that time, I will assume you are not interested in speaking. 

Live and drink.

-Sparrow

Sam was pretty neat.  Will be missed

I liked Mote. 

Lynneth was pretty cool.