Messages

Dear Dragon,

I am willing to speak in person but it will not change my feelings on this matter.

As Qari has sought to publicly shame me, his apology must be equally public.

The offense must be met with an equal or greater act of contrition or punishment by he who claims to hold his leash.

My inclusion on his list of names is groundless and served nothing more than to belittle my efforts to support Conscription.

You now appear to have not only been manipulated by Qari but also, far more damningly, the Sagebrush Corps, who are well aware they will be the first in the vanguard if such a measure passes.

Is such your desire? Already, we can see Balstan fold before the demands of these wretches. Already, his mind goes to future elections and not winning the war decisively and immediately.

Regards,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Zaheera Nahaat,

Given what I have seen so far, I did not expect to be so emotionally moved by one of your works.

However, I was rather fond of Elle and her poetry and was rather upset that some of the only remaining copies were gathering dust in that wretch Alejandro's inn room.

I can't for the life of me understand why Miranda Marlin of all people would have commissioned this work, but I am glad that she did so.

As she has continuously sought my destruction, it would be improper for me to thank her directly. Please give her my thanks in my stead.

And thank you as well.

Regards,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Deputy Chief Scribe Aaisha,

Your office's mismanagement of the "Prominent Figures of Ephia's Well" is scandalous, now more than ever.

The last person added was Domhnall over 7 months ago.

What of our "war heroes"? Mirielle, Selsi, Aubrey, Zain, and the like?

Also, why is Mari Blacke still listed? I refuse to accept this mealy-mouthed "for posterity" nonsense. She was a traitor to Ephia's Well and Baz'eel!

See her details removed immediately when you move to include those of prominence that have arrived in the past 7 months.

Regards,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

It was my hope that by writing again I could make clear that this harassment campaign against me began with your number.

I supposed it possible I had an X in 11 chance of getting ahold of a sensible member of your organization where X is the number who might not be complete idiots.

Instead you parrot the same lies against me. When will you people give it up? Do you also think I killed the Dog Nadiri?

When we fire people from the Tower, they leave the Well in disgrace. There is no deeper story here to chase.

I have tried to engage you like adults, to make peace despite your repeated attempts to engage me in war, but you ignore me and act like children.

I will not bother with further correspondence as it's clearly time wasted, but I will leave you with some parting words.

The organization you have aligned yourself with reflects poorly upon you.

The more you defend their actions and repeat their lies, and engage in targeted harassment campaigns against the defenders of Ephia's Well, the greater the assurance that you will never fulfill any dream you may possess in this place.

To side with these dregs is to continue your existence as if you never left the Wastes. Perhaps one day you will feel like joining us in bettering this Well of ours rather than stewing alongside those who clearly hate it here and should just leave.

Their toxicity is a cancer and at some point you will wake up and find that it has infected your thinking too. Then again, perhaps this series of letters has proven that it's already too late.

Regards,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

P.S. It seems your words about history were premature. I have checked the Stele and your organization is not upon it at all.

Such is the power of a Fatespinner.

Dear Whichever of the 11 Sagebrush Members this is,

I did not start any of this.

It began when I returned to my duties and found that you or your employer was feeding lies about me to the Janissaries.

I responded as one would expect, by turning the Janissaries' eyes upon your crimes. It's been rather successful, I might add. You shouldn't make up lies about supposed crimes I have committed when you have your own dirty laundry so effortlessly found via Tower Artifice.

I was content to leave it at that, but now I am informed by a Janissary guarding the Pyramid that Sagebrush has doubled down by placing a sign outside the Pyramid declaring me a murderer.

Cease your aggressions against me or the name "Sagebrush" will be consigned to the history books forever.

Best,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Naelin,

I read the report and while it sounds interesting, it is precisely the sort of thing I leave to others, for it is entirely outside my interests or expertise.

My parentage is somewhat of a complicated matter. I was adopted by the Empress, as I've mentioned, along with others of merit from all over the Empire.

I left my birth parents at a young age. As anyone would be, they were honored that their progeny had been so gifted. It reflected well upon them as well and presumably made them the envy of their community.

Still, I sometimes wonder which of my own traits came from one parent or the other. I think it'd be impossible not to.

Mae is presumably fine, but I've also found her difficult to find lately. Might I recommend utilizing the bellows? She showed up to meet with that wretch Elias.

That's the last time I was able to find her too.

Regards,
Estellise

Selsi, sorceress, her beauty a spell
Enchantments weave, her allure to compel
Yet hidden deep down, where shadows do creep
A witch's touch, crushing minds with a sweep

Her expressions shift, sudden and bold
Donning human guise, a creature untold
Dancing darkness, appears as a woman
Memories lost, in the void they summon

Amid a game, secrets to unveil
Guessing my favorites, without a fail
Her braids intertwine, a work of art
Reveals a bond, connecting the heart

[Maribeh 7th, IY 7788]

Maribeh 7th, IY 7788

It pains me to doubt Hypatia.

This is what the Witch of Utterdark meant, however, when she said that a Witch who gets too attached to a single life, a single piece, will die.

I'm well aware that such attachments have led to my countless deaths in previous cycles.

But I'm not ready to give up on my attachments yet. I like Hypatia. I like Mae. I like Naelin. I like Aubrey. And many more besides.

In a way, it's not about her... it's about myself. I feel as if I have reached the point where if I believe the theory that Hypatia is entirely false, if I believe that she holds no love for me or even for Mae, then I will have given up a significant part of me.

Even if I win the game after having given up so much, was it even "me" who won the game? Or was it someone entirely different? Was the game won by a hollow existence that wears my face and speaks with my voice, one who has given up everything for a victory she can't even enjoy?

I will believe that Hypatia is still Hypatia, until too much evidence has been accumulated to argue otherwise to myself, and I am cornered with the realization that she is no longer Hypatia.

But only then.

Dear Oliver Klozoff,

You have made your first error and it is a significant one.

There were countless witnesses who saw Elias ignore the Sisters of the Sibylline Vine, as they told him not to bring Alejandro's body to Hufaidh, where his body and soul were consumed by the djinn.

Even were there a law in Ephia's Well against slander, it would be inapplicable here as his actions are no more or less than what I have stated.

I have no interest in hearing lies and excuses from those uninvolved in this matter. I want nothing more than for Elias to explain his actions.

Best,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Naelin,

I am glad you returned safely and generally agree with your points here.

Mae's presence was imperative, and while I believe Ashley could have proven useful, I understand the heights these tensions have reached.

That said, she is working to solve the problem now, so all is well and all we may see an improvement in cure distribution shortly.

To throw someone down a flight of stairs, it would depend on how mad I am at the person. Likely I would pay up to 1000 dinars for such a service, and the wretched Banda Rossa would depend between 10000 and 15000.

I am confident at this point that their high prices are to ensure they never do any work.

After all, why should they care to get contracts when the Rose idiotically gives them the largest portion of their Allotment?

Regards,
Estellise

Dear Oliver Klozoff,

If the Sagebrush Corps have committed no crimes, then they should have nothing to fear.

The act of hiring a lawyer would strongly imply that they have something to hide, however.

Regardless, my most significant concern pertains to Elias through either negligence or sinister intent disregarding the Priory's warnings and committing Alejandro's body and soul to a Djinn Prince.

My demand is simple. When he returns to the Well, he submits himself to the Tower to explain the matter in full. I would know why he chose to ignore sage counsel and did this deed.

Regards,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Naelin,


I knew you had bitten off more than you could chew here, yet I still expected a letter before today's dangerous expedition.

No matter. I shall demand every detail from you after your return.

Regards,
Estellise

[Maribeh 4th, IY 7788]

Maribeh 4th, IY 7788

I couldn't find Mae, which was extremely irritating. Does she truly not care about her own future?

By refusing to speak at Kardesler, she has reduced her esteem and increased her irrelevance in Ephia's Well.

How will she ever attain Zenithar at this rate?

I'm calmer now, which is good. My initial instincts were to act somewhat rashly and likely that would have made Mae extremely displeased with me.

Fortunately, Margarethe stopped me before I made it to the bellows, and I was able to get over my initial surge of anger.

In truth, I need to focus less on these matters and more on my research. I've acquired many pages of notes on the Acolytes now and can update my notes accordingly.

They're all rather intriguing to me. They are extremely rough material. Do you plan to ensure they all are polished to perfection, or do you expect that some will fail Discernment?

Your piece moves differently than before. Her movements are more dangerous to me, but my defensive barriers still hold strong.

Did you tell her my favorite animal or did she truly guess in 4 tries?

Dear Jamei,

I care little for dinars, so if I spy any of these items, I will ensure they make their way to you.

However, I am uncertain why my "Real Identity" would grace this list. I remain who I have always been. I am both Apothar and the Witch Estellise.

I cannot imagine what else you seek with such a line of questioning. Perhaps you can enlighten me.

My room is nearly more furnished than I desire as-is. I don't imagine that I will be putting more furniture in it, as such a choice would be detrimental to the Wind and Water energy of my chambers and likely harm my sleep and general comfort.

My room in the Tower is nice in some ways, but my room in the Krak is far more important to my peace of mind. It is a place where I can rest, away from noisy (and nosy) Nadiri and the disruptions they bring.

What employees? Do you mean my Apprentices?

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

Dear Miro,

That makes sense. The mistake was my own.

I imagine I will always have questions from time to time as I update my records. It is important that I ensure proper records are kept regarding Ephia's Well's Divination Licenses and their holders.

I look forward to answering any questions you have about the history of the Well. Beware of Elias in the meantime. I have people investigating him for malfeasance and he has made it quite clear that he does not approve of you continuing this work for the League of White.

Regards,
Estellise Azimi