Messages

Students of the Sandstone College,

 I would be happy to partake in a debate, or otherwise, offer my own thoughts on any topics the students would wish to bring up. Let me know whether there would be a specific time for such, or whether I should offer a time for my own presentation.

Sincerely,

Legate Marcellus Saenus

*A reply is sent*

[To the Esteemed Grand Duke Nicodemo Nicosino and his Council of Five,]

To the Esteemed Grand Duke Nicodemo Nicosino and his Council of Five,

Ever since my return to the Well I have thought about our meeting, your hospitality, and the gifts you left us with, just as we have brought our Waters to you, to ease your burdens, bring you relief.

And yet, when I returned home and pondered on all that was said, all that was done, I found that what I viewed as a genuine offer of friendship from our part, was instead met by opportunism from yours. You pressed for myself to speak of your dominance in the Sea of Pearls and Independence, knowing well it would not come easily from me.

Then you sought to draw our Waters from us. Something that I at first thought would be a kind gesture to the people of Il Modo turned out to be a farce. You sought to use my own heart against me, as I wished to approach and speak with you openly and genuinely. Instead you sought only our waters, holding no respect for our faith, our people or our Sovereign.

Ephia's Well may be a young state, but we Ephians are determined to overcome much that  fate throws against us. I led my people against the Sibilant Legions, crushing them with weapons of our own design. I rescued our city from corruption that left us impoverished and divided. I united our people against many foes, and more than once took the spear myself to face those very dangers that threatened my people.

Though we have been met with sorrow, with loss, we have always brought home victory. We were the ones to remain on the field, we were the ones to stand triumphant.

Ephia Invicta, Ephia Undefeated.

As such, I write to you with the unfortunate conclusion that the deal we have brokered is now broken. The Waters of Ephia are far too important to its people to offer them for anything that the Power of Il Modo offers. Yet we are neighbours, if distant, and your people are just as interested in visiting the fledgling city of Ephia as we are to witness the wonders of Il Modo.

Let us maintain our borders open, so that our people can speak and exchange with one another, so that trade and prosperity is brought to both our nations.

Yet if you wish for me to view you as a friend, you will have to earn that right. A trade agreement, on the other hand, may yet be negotiated between our cities, one done so with care, and satisfying to both sides.

Just as we were invited to your City, we now invite you to ours. Witness Ephia's Well and its people, and see that which makes us stand strong and tall to this day.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Brave Janissaries of the Sultan's Fourth Legion,

 A complaint has been brought before me, and I feel there is some merit to it, for I am told that a woman, found guilty of assaulting and stealing from Boops Margo, after having spent time in the Stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit and dung, was later brought to our Well Waters to be baptized, in this state.

 I understand the Well is deep, and our waters vast, but if I may put my thoughts into a single statement;

"I'd rather not drink water in which there is shit."

 The concerned citizen, who apparently spoke for our temple of B'aara, said that this greatly concerned the B'aarat. He suggested even that the man responsible for this Baptism be charged with Sacrilege, under our Law.

 I understand this was performed as part of Janissary duties, the woman's sentence as decided upon by Magistrate Armaudi Kavat, but I would ask for a bit more care. Especially if the Baptism is performed at the very heart of our Well, where the water is, in fact, drawn from. I'd rather not want to think of the implications that our people are sipping waters with slight "additions".

 I should not have to mention either how important these Waters are to our faithful.

 Handle this as you deem fit, but I will be keeping my ears open for more such incidents.

Legate Marcellus Saenus   

Sister Nebtu,

 You may come visit me whenever you know that I am available. My schedule is a bit strained, at this time, but I will try to be available.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Chancellor Khel,

 While I would attempt to write the Grand Academy of Baz'eel with this query, I hope we may hold some information closer to home.

 There are many dark tidings occurring currently in the surrounding lands of the Well, and I am curious, do you hold, by any chance, any tomes on Sibilant or 9th Spoke Myths or Legends, regarding monsters that might had been sealed away, banished or defeated by adventurers, or otherwise, great heroes?

 No matter how outlandish or childish they might appear, I would wish to study them, as they might help in some ongoing predicaments.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

[Ziggurat skeleton discovery, Kanön Hray 10th]

To Whom it May Concern,

 The most recent report I received regarding the possible location of the Third Head.

 I hope whoever reads this does not decide to throw it out and fails to share it with the others.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Ziggurat skeleton discovery, Kanön Hray 10th

Participants: Meadow Millwright, Anais Thibeault, Bashir Khatara, Mari Blacke, Sayyida Shajar

Report of events

During an expedition to the Ziggurats past the Spindlebridge, we discovered a tunnel that led underground. It was inside this tunnel that we discovered a giant sibilant skeleton, placed atop a small rocky ridge. Strange green energy surrounded the remains. The skeleton's skull was fully intact.

This tunnel had obviously been disturbed before, as there were sibilant corpses, bedrolls and a great amount of equipment left behind. Who had been there is unknown, but a careful examination of the bellows record from Kanön Hray 9th to 10th could perhaps offer some hints about their identity.

The skeleton was not disturbed by any of our number, and no runes were read. The skeleton remained there as we left. We are not certain if those that came before us had done anything to the remains, such as read any runes near it. The bedrolls imply that these unidentified individuals had perhaps planned to return.


Senior Scribe Bashir Khatara

To whom it may concern,

 I, Legate Marcellus Saenus, extend the offer of performing lectures for your students. I may lack the qualifications formally recognized by Baz'eel, but in my time as a Scholar, here in the Well, before I become a Legate, I performed a number of lectures for the people of the Well, even in the environ of your College.

 The Topics I touched upon were:

- The War of the Pearls
- The Thousand Clans and the Eternal Peace
- An Introduction to Archaeology

One of my very first lectures was also a broad introduction to many newcomers of the Well, speaking of our most recent history and the Wheel.

I would be happy to offer your students a Lecture, whether on a topic of my own, or your choosing. It is not however something I wish to put pressure on you over, for my schedule is often busy.

Walk with Izdu's Wisdom.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Banda Rossa,

 It has been a while since I have written to you, for many of our dealings are in person, but in this instance I feel the penned word is superior to the spoken one.

 Among your numbers is Recluta Connor Bootpolisher, who has acted as Recluta in your ranks for a while now. He has continued to approach me about matters of Law, discussing matters of the state and of course negotiating different possible deals and contracts, many of which are on hold, simply because we await for certain situations to progress.

 That said, I see the man doing much, not only when speaking with me, but also when protecting the Krak or representing the Banda Rossa, and yet he has not earned yet a promotion.

 It is not my place to question how you promote those among your number, but consider this a recommendation from myself. Even if you do not see him as ready yet I would ask that he be given a chance to prove himself.
 
 Legate Marcellus Saenus

Esteemed Ambassador,

 The situation in the city seems to darken with every passing day. It would almost seem that I cannot pass a day without hearing more news of troubles and complications. That is also why it took me so long to write a response to your answer, as I did not know where we were standing.

 While I would enjoy a meeting in person, our duties seem to occupy us both, so I shall focus upon the mercenaries you presented me with, and later topics can be addressed when time permits.

 I can see that some of these companies seem specialized in one way or another. Such as Figmar's Engineering and Mechanics Company, who no doubt specialize in siege warfare and war machines.

 But, as I shared this list with others of the city a few questions came up, and I hope you can provide some answers to them.

 Firstly, are any of the companies mentioned here either skilled skirmishers or otherwise a cavalry company?

 Secondly, which of these could be considered cheapest, and which would be the most expensive to hire?

 Thirdly, some of the company names presented here have raised eyebrows, and made some believe that they might be, for example, Pra'raji (Such as the Brotherhood of the Golden Sun). Do any of these companies have questionable reputations?

 Fourth, how long do contract negotiations normally take?

 I thank you for your time Ambassador, and pray that Kha'esh faces fewer troubles than we do.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

 

To whom it may concern,

 Get your affairs in order. Being kept awake for this long, wastefully, felt almost like being held against my will. You must understand, research beneath the Pyramid is of great import to me, but prepare contingencies if such situations were to appear again.

 The agreement is present, but make sure in instances such as this a backup is created, so that your work can continue.

 It was truly frustrating, witnessing this mess, and all I could do is listen to the back and forths.

 Send letters, arrange a meeting, and send a copy of your decisions to me, so that I, in turn, can know how to act.

 I do not want to sit in a room and listen to pointless bickering again, wasting my time, especially when so much is already happening.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Secretary, other staff of the Consulate,

 When given the opportunity I would wish to meet, as I have questions regarding the Banafsi situation, as well as some follow-up questions regarding our other neighbors. I would prefer a face-to-face meeting, if possible, and not list them out here.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Esteemed Ambassador,

 I write to you wish a small request, or query. As you can tell the coming times for the Well will be very turbulent, and I wish to consider as many options as I can for the well being and safety of the Well. As Kha'esh is the center of trade but also mercenary companies, I would wish to ask whether you may offer a list of mercenary companies, available at this time, or who should I contact in regards to this in Kha'esh itself?
 
 Further, I hope that some time in the future I may be able to visit Kha'esh and meet with the Vizier, for I did not have a chance to speak with him since the Battle of Red Hill, and I sense there is much catching up to do.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

 

Magistrate de Veend,

 I would wish to hear your part of the claims that you have been threatening openly Balladeer Narwen. She is apparently terrified and is unable to leave the Krak, out of fear of being hounded by yourself.

 I have been studying Narwen's case for some time, and do not see that she has committed any crimes. She is not a suspect in anything, and the only claim to being a danger comes jointly from the Janissaries and Astronomers, without any true evidence.

 As such, what is the cause for this pursuit?

Legate Marcellus Saenus

Domhnall,

 Do forgive if I send only a single letter in response, but I'd rather not bury your door in multiple letters.

 First, I agree. We can transfer the sum to the Janissaries through the Treasury.

 Second, I agree, a War Council is in order, though we may have to decide who do we wish to represent each of the Accords, not to cause too much chaos during such meetings. One speaker from each Accord (possibly more from the side of the Rose).

 Third, I have nothing against our Mother becoming our Patron once more, but, do we have a priestess who could perform the rites? On that note, you may wish to speak also with the Sergeant Radislav, as he may be one of the voices opposed to changing the City's Patron, but I may also be wrong.

 Fourth, I agree on the Infrastructure, but the Charity may be a problem. We cannot withdraw funds from the Treasury to hand them to others, independents. At least, I could not find a simple method of doing so. We have to explore our options in regards to that, not only to fund such projects, but also to help those who would help others.

 Fifth, I can show you how to manage the Ministries, it would be a worthwhile lesson, but I agree, some cleaning up is in order.

 Sixth, I shall grant the Scribes a five thousand dinari donation to their treasury.

 Seventh, We should discuss the matter of Narwen in private, not in letters. It's a sensitive matter.

Legate Marcellus Saenus