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Cara signora Condottiera,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

Although I myself am so far well and hale, regrettably, I can no longer be confident that the same will continue for very long: I write to inform you that Vizier Lestrange of Purple has made a veiled threat on my life and property. Alas, there were no witnesses... and even had there been, I doubt the Fourth would care to investigate.

As per the contract I have with la Banda Rossa, I humbly request that you take appropriate action. My suggestion is to ban her from the Krak des Roses for the indefinite future, which would at least show her that she made a grave mistake. I would be much obliged.

I look forward to hearing from you. May the Sages watch over us all.

Ever yours
Zina Zizzo

I am available for candidacy, should the League deem it wise under the circumstances.

Dante, we very much need to talk.

Zina Zizzo

On vacation until Nov 10th. Logging in at least once to maintain properties, but otherwise, Zina is sailing on the Sea of Pearls and drinking Eelegals.

[A reply is promptly penned]

Cara signora condottiera,

Wonderful, much obliged. I request only one small amendment: the wording 'will be dispatched' could be interpreted to mean that without a particular order from a ranking officer, a recluta would not necessarily be obliged to report to the Emporium. We want reclutas to understand that, in the absence of anything more pressing, they are to report there whenever I open business – without any prompting or ordering needed. Si?

Naturally, I do not request the presence of each and every recluta during opening hours, just one is enough, but if a recluta does not know whether someone is already on duty, they should still report there and ask if a guard is needed. That is the crux of the matter. Could you re-phrase that part accordingly?

Otherwise, I am well pleased, my thanks again.

Cordiali saluti
Z. Z.

Received...

Out for the weekend.

[Dear fellow members of the League of Gold!]

Dear fellow members of the League of Gold!

I am proud and humbled to know so many upright and talented people dedicated to the ideals of our esteemed league. You represent the very best of Ephia's Well, the cream of the cream. You are the men and women who will lead this ship of the desert to a glorious, prosperous future.

The Voiced Citizens among you voted according to those ideals in this last election, for which I commend you. The same cannot be said of many of our political opponents, some of whom had no ideals at all but were led by mere fear or opportunism. Although our best efforts were not enough to overcome the combined paranoia of so many factions – this time –, know that we managed to achieve something greater, something lasting, something that provides a solid foundation for the future.

We built a strong and loyal support base that is independent of the Accord.

Think about it, my friends. Twenty-seven votes – twenty-seven! – with the backing of just one faction of the Accord. Just one out of five. We achieved this because you believe in Gold and Gold believes in you. And now that subversive and traitorous elements have been purged from our league, we will be that much stronger in the next election.

And of course, our work continues between elections, too. We continue to promote trade and talent, wealth and merit. We continue to oppose the machinations of seditious radicalists and religious fanatics who would see you and your loved ones robbed, exiled or murdered for their twisted sense of justice or their myopic view of piety. We will not have such a Well. We want a Well where everyone gets what they deserve, not what screaming demagogues promise them. Let us all do our part in this work!

Work. Hard work. That is perhaps what most separates you, my friends, from the rest – and what separates our league from the other leagues. You are willing to work for a better future instead of demanding that someone hand it to you on a platter. If everyone in Ephia's Well realised that, the future would already be here.

In one month, we will be ready, and we will be stronger than ever. This league has my vote and the support of my Emporium.

Ever yours
Zina Zizzo

[One more invitation of this kind is sent to Magistrate Dante Moretti.]

[feast of gumbo]

[Sent to Legates Argent & Marcellus, Condottiera Mirielle, Balladeer Aurelio, Sister-Priest Fiordelise, Soldier Izdihar al-Basri, Naelin & Clarissant of the Torchbearers, and Hunefer Vargas.]

Dear [recipient],

It is my great pleasure to invite you to my Emporium for a feast of gumbo, prepared in traditional Harrowden style, at ((3 am GMT, Aug 18; see https://discord.gg/NqGsPWDw?event=1271833598399483916 )).

Signor Manta Wholt will be our host for the evening. Dress code is formal.

Yours sincerely
Zina Zizzo

Esteemed Legate Saenus,

Please find enclosed the loan contract as discussed, in two copies:

1. This is a loan contract between two Voiced citizens of Ephia's Well, Zina Zizzo ("the creditor") and Marcellus Saenus ("the debtor").

2. The creditor agrees to lend the debtor a sum of 1,000 dinari at a fixed interest rate of 25%, for a total repayment of 1,250 dinari, on the following conditions:

2.1. Until all oustanding loans are settled, the debtor grants the creditor access to the Temple of Izdu in Ephia's Well with the understanding that any and all assets stored therein, as viewed and evaluated on Illul 18th, are considered "the securities" of this loan and other loans between the creditor and the debtor where such is stipulated in the contract.

2.2. In the event of the debtor's demise or defaulting on this debt, or if the creditor at any time perceives a reasonable threat to her access to the securities, the creditor may with sole discretion confiscate from the Temple of Izdu any number of securities with a total value, according to her sole judgement, equal to the outstanding debt with interest plus a resale expense fee of 200 dinari.

2.3. The debtor solemnly assures that until this debt is repaid, no one but the debtor and the creditor has access to the Temple of Izdu and the securities stored therein. While the debt remains unpaid, the creditor may at any time freely visit the Temple of Izdu to inspect her securities.

2.3.1. This condition may be waived if the debtor at any point hands over to the creditor's safekeeping until the debt is repaid a number of securities as defined in 2.2.

2.4. The loan is to be repaid in full (1,250 dinari) by Qdim 12th the latest.

2.4.1. If the debtor defaults on this repayment, in whole or in part, the creditor may invoke clause 2.2 of this contract up to the amount defaulted plus the resale expense fee.

2.4.1.1. The creditor promises to attempt to negotiate with the debtor before unilaterally confiscating any securities.

2.5. The debtor may repay any amount of the outstanding debt with potions of the following kinds according to the values specified herein:

Serious Healing – 50 dinari
Blur – 80 dinari
Clarity – 80 dinari
Speed – 180 dinari
Displacement – 180 dinari
Polarization – 180 dinari
Restored Senses – 180 dinari

2.6. The debtor may at any point repay in advance the outstanding debt, in whole or in part.

3. This contract may be amended with both parties' signed approval. Any amendments are treated as part of the original contract.

4. This contract is subject to the laws of Ephia's Well.

4.1. In the event that any clause of this contract leads to legal action in Ephia's Well, in order to guarantee impartiality, the debtor agrees that neither he (in the role of a Legate) nor any Magistrate appointed by him will preside as the judge of the trial.

Signatures:
Zina Zizzo

Please sign both copies and send the other one to the Emporium. Thank you!

Sincerely
Zina Zizzo

[Lady Shabani,]

Lady Shabani,

After perusing the item catalogue and its prices, I have decided to accept the offer you presented to me previously on behalf of the Maestros.

Since the total sum is considerable, I would like to discuss some kind of a payment schedule. I suggest 10,000 dinari upfront and another 10,000 during the following two weeks, i.e. 5,000 per week. Please let me know if this is agreeable.

If it is, I would like to meet you at your earliest convenience to process the formalities and to transfer the ownership of all property.

Yours sincerely
Zina Zizzo

[Honourable Legate,]

Honourable Legate,

A couple of matters have come up which we should discuss. Since our schedules do not often align and you are a busy man, please make a bellow for me when you are available.

With gratitude,
Z. Zizzo

[Esteemed Condottiera Rosseau,]

Esteemed Condottiera Rosseau,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

My sincere condolences for the losses la Banda Rossa suffered during the Battle of Arslan; good men and women are surely hard to replace. I hope the new Reclutas will soon earn their places among your ranks.

I write to you to discuss business. As our schedules often seem to conflict, it is perhaps easier to communicate in writing. There are two matters I wish to bring to the table.

Firstly, the late Balestriere Danebluff approached me regarding the protection services offered by la Banda. He gave me a rough idea of the various tiers of protection, and after considering them and discussing the matter with lady Shabani – who sees no obstacle with Reclutas guarding the Hall of Trade on long-term basis, as long as they get along with the janissary stationed there – I would like a quote from you on continuous protection within the Hall whenever I have it open for business. How much would it cost per month to have an available Recluta stationed there whenever needed?

The second matter is as follows. I have been thinking of ways to minimise the risk of customers defaulting on debts, and I think there would be one very simple way for that: the threat of banning them from the Krak des Roses in case they do not pay me their debts. I would like to know if a contract like this were possible – banning defaulters upon my request – and if so, how much it would cost. The price may be either on a per-person or per-month basis, as you see fit.

I might add that while I realise the ban is a harsh measure which would cost you money in most cases, I do not expect that it would actually need to be used often. The mere threat would likely ensure that most every caravaneer in Ephia's Well would pay their debts dutifully.

I hope we can reach an agreement on both these counts. Please send your reply to the Hall of Trade where I spend most of my time nowadays.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely
Zina Zizzo
Merchant
Master Starmith
Voiced Citizen of the Well

Zain was someone that already felt like a permanent fixture in Ephia's Well. I interacted with him with all three of my v6 PCs... and enjoyed especially the moral quandary he forced Sofia in when religious feelings were heated. I think his suicide threat was about the only thing that could (and did) drive her out of the Plaza!

Admirable dedication!

Esteemed Legate Saenus,

Please review the enclosed loan contract draft and let me know if there are any oversights or if you have any amendments before we sign it.

Because I would, under the terms of the contract, be the sole person with access to the Temple of Izdu in the event of your demise, you may want to specify some beneficiary for the assets stored therein which exceed the amount specified in 2.2. If you were to perish in battle, I could for the small fee of 300 dinari (paid in securities) attempt to seek out that person and grant them access to the temple's assets after having seized my own securities.

You may deliver your reply either to the Hall of Trade or to the Krak des Roses where I rent a room.

Yours sincerely
Zina Zizzo

1. This is a loan contract between two Voiced citizens of Ephia's Well, Zina Zizzo ("the creditor") and Marcellus Saenus ("the debtor").

2. The creditor agrees to lend the debtor a sum of 3,500 dinari at a fixed interest rate of 25%, for a total repayment of 4,375 dinari, on the following conditions:

2.1. Before the loan sum is handed over, the debtor grants the creditor access to the Temple of Izdu in Ephia's Well with the understanding that any and all assets stored therein, as viewed and evaluated on Illul 18th, are considered "the securities" of this loan.

2.2. In the event of the debtor's demise or defaulting on this debt, or if the creditor at any time perceives a reasonable threat to her access to the securities, the creditor may with sole discretion confiscate from the Temple of Izdu any number of securities with a total value, according to her sole judgement, equal to the outstanding debt with interest plus a resale expense fee of 400 dinari.

2.3. The debtor solemnly assures that until this debt is repaid, no one but the debtor and the creditor has access to the Temple of Izdu and the securities stored therein. While the debt remains unpaid, the creditor may at any time freely visit the Temple of Izdu to inspect her securities.

2.3.1. This condition may be waived if the debtor at any point hands over to the creditor's safekeeping until the debt is repaid a number of securities as defined in 2.2.

2.4. The loan is to be repaid in four instalments with the following due dates:

Illul 27th – 1,000 dinari
Qdim 3rd – 1,000 dinari
Qdim 10th – 1,000 dinari
Qdim 17th – 1,375 dinari

2.4.1. If the debtor defaults on any of the instalments, in whole or in part, the creditor may invoke clause 2.2 of this contract up to the amount defaulted on plus 25% of the resale expense fee (100 dinari).

2.4.1.1. The creditor promises to attempt to negotiate with the debtor before unilaterally confiscating any securities.

2.5. The debtor may repay any amount of the outstanding debt with potions of the following kinds according to the values specified herein:

Serious Healing – 50 dinari
Blur – 80 dinari
Clarity – 80 dinari
Speed – 180 dinari
Displacement – 180 dinari
Polarization – 180 dinari
Restored Senses – 180 dinari

2.5.1. The creditor promises to accept at most 40 (forty) potions in this manner. The creditor may accept more at her discretion but may also demand payment in dinari.

2.6. The debtor may at any point repay in advance any of the instalments specified in 2.4, in whole or in part. If an instalment is repaid in advance but only in part, the remaining sum is still to be paid on that instalment's due date.

3. This contract may be amended with both parties' signed approval. Any amendments are treated as part of the original contract.

4. This contract is subject to the laws of Ephia's Well.

4.1. In the event that any clause of this contract leads to legal action in Ephia's Well, in order to guarantee impartiality, the debtor agrees that neither he (in the role of a Legate) nor any Magistrate appointed by him will preside as the judge of the trial.