Messages

The eleventh poster in the HEROES OF THE WELL series begins to appear around the Well. Second in the Blue Sapphire Collection, this one features a lot of green and...

Sister Amelie with spear in hand and some sharp words about the orc.

//R&C logo created by AboutThyme.

Poster ten in the HEROES OF THE WELL series. This is also the start of the Blue Sapphire Collection.

Palatial Physician Ashley Scherwin is surrounded by swirling magic...

//R&C logo created by AboutThyme.

Dear Sister Amelie of the Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine,

I am writing to you to ask for your help on an art project I am currently working on: a compendium of an poet who has gone by the name of Elle. Other then numerous pages of their written works, I know very little about them.

The only two tidbits of information of note I was able to uncover is that they were possibly a Balladeer or Student of the Lost Hearth and that you might be the last living person to have known them personally. If you have any insights on Elle, as a person or poet, I would be incredibly grateful if you would share them with me.

Sincerely,
Zaheera Nahaat

P.S. The poster featuring you is near completion and will be published soon. Look for it in the next one or two days.

A ninth poster in the HEROES OF THE WELL series (and third in the Red Rose Collection) of works is published. Like the others in the same collection, it is posted in abundance within the Krak des Roses.

Aurelio d'Lyon is depicted in all his glory: heavy armour, huge sword, and intimidating helm.

//R&C logo created by AboutThyme.

Dear Miss Miranda Marlin,

Please see included an up-to-date copy with additional pages.

Sincerely,
Zaheera Nahaat

Nathaniel Blackvale,

Please see the enclosed poster and card as per our agreement.

I will be making no revisions.

-Zaheera Nahaat

The eighth poster in the HEROES OF THE WELL series (and second in the Red Rose COllection) of works is published, this one is also poster with particular emphasis within the Krak des Roses.

Light on her foot, Aubrey Domergue's rapier is ready to strike.

//R&C logo created by AboutThyme.

Nathaniel Blackvale,

Considering that you are exiled and no longer a citizen or civilian of Ephia's Well, I was initially of the thought that whatever agreement was made between us was null and void. Furthermore, there is a portion of the Well's Penal Code (statute 21) that could potentially bar me from associating with you.

However, after careful review of the laws it has been deemed that fulfilling our agreement would not unduly risk my prosecution.

A deal is a deal. You will have your card. It shall be finished and delivered within one or two days.

-
Zaheera Nahaat

Dear Miss Miranda Marlin,

Enclosed is the cover and first page of the work you commissioned from me. I have drafts of various other pages in various other stages and I anticipate the complete work will be finished by the four weeks estimate I originally provided you.

As I work on these early pages, however, I have come to realize that the transition from cover to first page is quite discordant. I think an introduction or foreword page would resolve that issue and I would like to give you the honour of writing it if you are interested in doing so.

Let me me know what you decide.

Sincerely,
Zaheera Nahaat

A new day. A new poster. And the start of the new Red Rose Collection. The seventh poster in the HEROES OF THE WELL series of works is published, particularly throughout the Krak des Roses.

Standing tall with giant mace over shoulder as if towering over a defeated foe is Bruno Rincon.

//R&C logo created by AboutThyme.

Dear Kazem,

In the span of a few days, a friend of mine was murdered, mourned, and cremated.

I have been enduring and handling it better than others, but that is likely because I did not even realize Alejandro Benjazar was my friend until other people asked me how I was coping with the loss.

As I thought about how others perceived my relationship with Mister Benjazar, I came to realize that even though our relationship was work-based at first, that does not mean one cannot make friends in work.

And, indeed, I had confided a great deal in Mister Benjazar. Or at least planned to. I asked him about the Cinquefoil Rose and the Balladeers. He could not answer in what little time he had so he promised when the chance arose, we would sit down for tea and he would tell me about his time with the Balladeers.

I won't be able to have that conversation and tea with him now. As I reflect on that fact, I realize how much I was looking forward to it.

With the love of a sister,
Zaheera Nahaat

Dear Shirin,

Something very curious happened yesterday. It made me miss your company and your excellent ability to read and interpret people and their actions.

A businessman by the name of Thiore Lorincreve of Lorincereve Imports held a small auction in the Souk. A man of much capital invested in interesting artifacts, he apparently needed to liquidate some of his assets due to the political turmoil brought upon by the war with the orcs and the actions of Ephia's Well governance.

Most curiously, it was specifically his assets based in Kha'esh he was divesting. In particular, he sold a beautiful 99-faced gem and a large sword that was supposedly used by some Orentid cataphract to slay a dragon.

As the bidding for these items, particularly that of the sword, occurred, I could feel eyes glance about, settling on one person to another. And on me.

There was something happening here. Intrigue.

I won neither the the gem or sword--which I am not bothered by at all since I had little liquid capital of my own at the time--but I still feel as if I was involved in something important. There was plenty of discussion had between bidders and auctioneer. And while it seemed simple and straight forward, I had the sense that the words spoken out loud was just the surface of the Sea of Pearls. There was something else happening deep below the waves, an undercurrent deep and unseen but that could still steer ships sailing upon the surface.

I suppose there was some more overt ploys as well. Lorincreve seemed to be trying to ingratiate himself to my favour, giving me discounts on bid and price that was severely unfair to others. Had I been selfish and conniving, I could have taken the sword for myself at an unfair price, but I didn't care to taint my business reputation in such a way.

I am curious though, where would that sword have lead me? Lorincreve asked me for my mailing address so that he could inform me of future auctions and business opportunities, but I get the sense I might receive more than just hints for future items up for auction. What did he really want?

This place is full of mysteries big and small.

With the love of a sister,
Zaheera Nahaat

As the HEROES OF THE WELL posters are worn down by time and the elements, they are replaced and refreshed with an updated version bearing the seal of the Seat of Research and Culture.

//Thanks to AboutThyme for creating R&C logo!

Dear Father,

I have received the package you had delivered and I must thank you for the absolutely wonderful gift! The dress is beautiful, fits perfectly, and the material is durable and resistant to the many paints and dyes I work with frequently.

This gift could not have come at a better time, too, for I must admit I was feeling a little homesick when it arrived. A few days ago I attended and witnessed my first Assembly. A key aspect of the Asterabadian, the Assembly is where the populace meets with the Legates on matter of law, policy, and so on to determine governance of Ephia's Well.

It's a mess. Maybe it was just a poor first impression that I witnessed but, regardless, I am not impressed.

During the Assembly, the Ambassador to Kha'esh confronted the Legates on the terms of a proposed alliance between Kha'esh and the Well. The conversation was horribly circular, repetitive, and disorganized. The Legates appeared to end up flip-flopping on issues several times. And, most embarrassingly, after the Ambassador was given an answer to which she departed to deliver to Kha'esh, a rider was sent out to call her back because the Legates had changed their minds!

Governance within the Well seems to be a perfect example of one of Shirin's favourite sayings: "too many cooks in the kitchen". Some of it did remind me of the Sultan's Court back in Baz'eel, where the Sultan surrounds themselves with advisors and counselors. But whereas the Sultan receives advice and information from the others before making a decision, everyone in the Chamber of Rule acts as if they are the Sultan!

No wonder the Sultan has confined Asterabadi to house imprisonment. Baz'eel would crumble within days if it was governed according to Asterabadi principles. I cannot imagine how, in the long run, Ephia's Well could thrive under this structure of governance. Frankly, the Sultan should put an end to this experiment as soon as possible unless he wants to see the Well devolve into deadlock or anarchy. Things have been so chaotic here even Vizier Bashir Khatara resigned from his position and stepped back down to being a Senior Scribe only. Which is such a shame because people would surely make good decisions if they listen to him. But, again, too many people seem to mistake having a voice with having wisdom.

There are certainly things about Baz'eel I miss. You and my siblings especially.

With the love of a daughter,
Zaheera Nahaat

P.S. I noticed the dress was of the same colours I had settled on using with my previous outfit. My initial thought was to scold you for spying on me, but I'll opt for being thankful that you care so much for me.

[Heroes of the Well Collectable Trading Cards!]

Heroes of the Well Collectable Trading Cards!

Now announcing the first print of the Purple Amethyst and Green Emerald Collections of the Heroes of the Well Collectable Trading Cards!

Do you have a favourite Hero of the Well? Think someone is a key figure destined to be pivotal in the Well's history? Or perhaps you have some unrequited feelings? Indulge and try your hand at collecting these fully illustrated and glamoured trading cards! For only 50 dinari*, you can randomly pull a card from the Heroes of the Well Collectable Trading Cards Box.

Curious as to what the cards look like? See the Heroes of the Well Collectable Trading Cards Reference.

The first printing of the Purple Amethyst and Green Emerald Collections totals 36 cards. Card rarity may be common, uncommon, and rare. These rarities occur within in the printing in 3:2:1 proportions.

*Maximum of three pulls per day per person.