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Hello,

Today was a strangely uneventful day, barring a spot of trouble involving our new neighbors and Blackvale. Hopefully we are not also subject to some attempt at burglary in the coming days. It would be a terrible bother for our butler. Perhaps you can curse our collection of artefacts to deter theft?

Dinner and lunch both were decidedly simple affairs. Sephidra is most judicious with our expenses, and I am far too lazy to visit the grocers myself.

Anyhow, figuring out the precise nature of the trap will be, in part, what we shall discuss at tea. The majority of our time, of course, shall be devoted to pleasant conversation and the like. I lied about Clarissant not being present. I simply wanted to gauge your reaction.

It is a good thing that you are aware of the pitfalls of grief. And truthfully? A spot of sentimentality is far preferable to apathy.

You are, also, partially correct. This exchange of correspondence is, like most endeavors undertaken in my life, an attempt to fend off the dreaded foes of any individual with a functional mind: boredom and ennui. But it is not the sole reason. It is a ploy most clever. You will see, in the fullness of time, and be struck speechless by the extent of my genius.

Are we settling on the term 'gnoming' for such phenomena, incidentally? I was under the impression that you detested this term.

And lastly, a question: What part of your Dark Design were you going to reveal to Margarethe earlier?

Regards,
Naelin

Hello,

A brief lapse in correspondence, for which I do apologise. Yesterday's business left me rather knackered. It is a good thing I have Sephidra on hand to help with the maps, else I would get nothing done in a reasonable span of time.

A great deal transpired during these past two days, but much of it cannot be trusted to courier-borne correspondence. Therefore, you may consider this an open invitation to tea within our Hall, as it is our only viable recourse. We can even have Clarissant or Natasha braid your hair, as this appears to be what the general public thinks we do here in Torchbearer Hall.

I am still decidedly vexed about today's events. I do not particularly relish this feeling. In a vacuum, it is good to see us recognised and offered appropriate pay for this, and future operations. Yet there is a most peculiar phenomenon at play here that many seem to overlook, even my closest confidants.

I call it The Torchbearer Pendulum of Fate.

You see, nothing good ever simply happens to me and mine. Likely on account of some ancient curse or the other from our early forays into this business. Or Jamil. That poor woman always did have the worst luck imaginable.

Either way, what this means in simple terms is that for every good thing that happens to us, there is always some unseen, unpredictable, and unwanted consequence. The Depths, Hufaidh, Trusty Pete, fucking Sagebrush, and so on. There's always a catch, you see? Some hidden consequence. And all of that leaves me feeling decidedly unsure if the dinar itself was worth the political capital. Balstan agreed far too easily, and I find myself wondering if this is not all some elaborate trap on his end. Our position and legitimacy within this Well remains a tenuous thing still, after all, and that shan't change until we have added a few more feathers to the proverbial cap. What do you suppose the future has in store for us on this front, dear Fatespinner? Or do you prefer the appellation of High Witch?

You were right about grief. My previous letter was a roundabout way of warning you against the pitfall of stagnation. You are a creature of energy and motion, and it is one of your better qualities. I'd hate for my passing to cause you to lose that spark.

You most definitely should spend more time with the Gerbil-girl. You would become fast friends, I think. Though she is shorter than you.

As for the blood... Do be careful with that. There exists a fine line between remembrance and obsession, and it is essential not to let the latter consume you. I suspect dear Margarethe understands this and was trying to help. Just be careful, yes?

And lastly, your question. A lot of people have asked me this over the past year, and they have each been given a different answer. Mostly because I feel that the truth is rather underwhelming, and partly because I am deeply amused by seeing how far I can push a lie. Still, you are a delight to have around, and your antics are a source of much amusement, so I will let you in on the grand design.

Absolutely nothing.

There is no grand quest, no sacred Cup, no holy text. Simply the thrill of discovery, the joy that comes from seeing and learning of the strange and the unknown. Of knowing that you are the first to tread down certain paths in thousands of years. That is what compels me to keep wandering and mapping. Each answer I gave was simply a different facet of this one, simple truth. I remain a student at heart. I simply prefer the open road to a lecture room.

Here is a question for you. Two, in fact, to account for the earlier lapse.

What do you suppose my objective is here with all these letters?

If Kythaela turned into a gnome and you had no way of turning her back, would you still see her in the same light?

Regards,
Naelin

Hello,

Today was also different. But not in a wholly unpleasant way.

Mae said some rather interesting things today. Her tone was not dissimilar to your Electrical Loop Wand ventriloquism act (it is an act isn't it?).

From what I understand, the majority of Alejandro's belongings are all going to Sandstone, which ought to count for something. Regardless, he is gone and that is that. All that remains is to compartmentalise it all and move on.

Some of my associates tell me that this is unhealthy. I find it preferable to the alternative, which is stagnation of the mind, body and spirit. It is another sort of poison, ultimately. If the worst is ever to befall me and mine, it is my sincerest hope that you will move on after a suitably appropriate stretch of time (three to seven days).

In other news, I met little miss Millefiori today. She reminds me of an especially drowsy gerbil. I learned that she had fallen short of the required sum for her Voice, so Rosseau and I split the difference. This made the Gerbil-girl happy, and reinforced the impression upon me that Rosseau might not be such a terrible person after all.

It is a strange thing to consider, after everything the two of us have been through. I do hope this does not end up me or Sephidra dead in a gutter somewhere, but knowing our luck that is very likely.

Your commitment to the prevention of the Ephia's Well Disaster remains a source of much bemusement to me. M<y first instinct is to say that I do not truly believe such a thing can come to pass. But, as I think on it, I realise that I had doubted you many times in the past, and you had gone on to prove me wrong in almost every instance. I must stress upon almost, for I still do not buy into your reasoning for ignoring a perfectly good path in favor of crawling through a rosebush, but that is neither here nor there.

It is good to hear that you found Margarethe and secured the vial. What was in it, anyhow? What dark design does it serve?

Also, another question. This will be a new tradition of ours, I have decided.

Is sentencing criminals to death wasteful? Does the act of condemning another to death serve any purpose other than providing hollow satisfaction for the bereaved?

Regards,
Naelin

Hello,

Today was different. I did not like it.

There ought to be a more profound sense of loss here, given Alejandro's passing. But between you and I? It is Devlin and Tempo's passing that has the greater sting. And it all is underscored by relief. At least it weren't my people.

Does this make me a bad person, Fatespinner?

I did not intervene as it seemed needless, to have yet more join a mob falling upon what I took to be simply the Prince and his Court. Banda involvement was unexpected. Surprising. And more than a little concerning. I was under the impression that the Rose Contract superseded all else.

I wonder if this is why that Recluta began to natter on about Torchbrush. (I would sooner die than willingly allow those bottom-feeders back into my circle of trust.) Deflection.

In any event, all this did get me thinking on another decidedly somber topic- Legacy. What do you envision your own being?

And were you ever able to recover the vials from Margarethe?

Regards,
Naelin

Hello,

Today was a moderately interesting day for myself. I began it with a cup of tea (two teaspoons of milk, no sugar, and steeped for exactly four and a half minutes), some manner of buttered flatbread, and another cup of tea. Lunch was seared filet of Banafsian bream, perfectly seasoned and complemented by a side of roasted vegetables and a light, refreshing salad.

I am in the process of determining what to do for dinner. It is a most bothersome task.

It is good that your allergies no longer trouble you and your day was better. Dreadfully sorry about the hauntings. It is unfortunate, and more than a touch worrying. But your height is returned, so all's well that ends well.

I am not entirely sure if this is how the inside of the Marcellus Mind Palace looks like. Personally, I think it is a large maze, only the walls are large bookshelves. A manifestation of Cosine and Aaisha pursue him through the labyrinth, and leave him with very little time to do anything other than run. It must be why he is so very tired all the time.

Or perhaps I simply think this because it is entirely too sad to contemplate the possibility you present. Regret is a terrible poison to the soul.

Speaking of regrets, do you have any? I regret inviting Alejandro into my circle of trust, only to watch him side with. Please ignore that. I am trying to maintain a slightly less vindictive attitude. An experiment on Sephidra's request, but this means a touch less spite on my part. I will simply say that I am most disappointed by my friend's insistence on attributing a good deal of our success to luck rather than grit and determination. It is most hurtful!

I also regret not visiting Mro Po's when he was running his buy one get one free special.

What is it about mystery cults that appeal? Don't tell me that we have another one of those springing up in the Well?

If Margarethe turned into a worm, would you still respect her?

Regards,
Naelin

Hello,

The Tower is a point of contact, but where is the fun in that?

The exchange of correspondence adds a dash of mystery, a pinch of anticipation!

I solemnly swear that this is not a clever ploy to trick you into growing accustomed to writing essays.

Besides, think of all the fancy stationary you can collect. Perhaps you can have parchment with special letterheads prepared just for this. Personally, I am inclined towards sand mice. But goats are acceptable, too.

Anyhow, how has your day been? Mine has been remarkably slow. We visited Marcellus today and spent nearly five minutes knocking. I feared he had died in his office, but it turns out that he was simply staring off into space. I wonder what the inside of Marcellus' Mind Palace is like?

If someone held a crossbow to your head and told you to write an essay, what topic would you pick?

Regards,
Naelin

Hello,

I have recently learned of a novel concept, Estie.

"Pen Pals."

Would you like to be my Pen Pal?

Regards,
Naelin

The letter is opened, read, and repackaged in another envelope with a smaller letter within. It is addressed to Sephidra Niridhe and left at the doorstep of Torchbearer Hall.

Dear Sephidra,

This is paperwork. I detest paperwork. Please take care of it.

Also, we are running low on the nice smoked tea. Please take care of that too.

From,
Me (Naelin)

A pretty cool dude and a fun frenemy to have. The server's not really going to feel the same without him.

Would sell secrets to him for seven gp again.







see you on the other side king

his throbbing stone will be missed

A messily scrawled note is left at the counter.

Hello!

You flatter us with your interest, and we certainly do have a need for more able hands. We shall be spending a good deal more time within the Well in the coming days. Find us, and we can have a chat.

We are pathfinders, after all. Being able to find paths and people is just a part of the job. Consider this your first test!

Happy hunting,
Naelin

[Naelin Karstwen]

Dearest Amelie,

Accept my sincerest thanks for agreeing to mediate this matter.

Isabelle has attempted to talk me and mine into "selling" our affections to others. A notion that I found deeply offensive, demeaning, and degrading. She later went on to call a dear friend of mine a dog. Grave insults, both, and while she has apologised, the damage has been done, and I have seen enough of what lies beneath her mask to know that I do not truly care for this person.

My feelings for her can be likened to those felt towards a roach or a spider in one's abode. You do not truly want to hurt the thing, but you also do not want it skittering close, or, Wheel forfend, crawling up your limbs.

I want her to keep her distance, physically and socially. I am Sephidra's aide, and I shall assist her as best I can, but that does not mean that I have to befriend Isabelle, or pretend to hold fondness for her.

I hope this clarifies my thoughts and feelings sufficiently on the matter.

Yours heartily and respectfully,
Naelin Karstwen

I see that you are in need of scouts for this new enterprise of yours. The Torchbearers are, tentatively, interested, and I daresay that there are few better in the field than us. You need only look to the maps scattered about town for proof of this.

Name a time and place that we might meet and discuss contract specifics.

Regards,
Naelin,
Captain of the Torchbearers

A bulky package wrapped in oilcloth is left with the Banda Rossa. Within are a trio of tightly bound scrolls, stained with grease and ink. The attached note reads...

Dear Kinas,

As per our earlier discussion, contained within this package you will find our collection of maps. The fourth will be forthcoming in a short while.

The Torchbearers thank you for your patronage and look forward to future business together. The drinks went down quite well.

Warm Regards,
Naelin
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