Messages

An exile? I don't think anyone understands that I have spent my whole life living in a castle. Dieing in that court room while ignoble would have been noble I would be a martyr for ages to come and maidens of virtue would have named their sons after me. If I had died the legates and legionaires in that room would die. I am confident the midget overlords would let the Banda kill their legion before offering generous terms of surrender to keep receiving waters. Statues would have been built in my honor. Alas this fortress is not as fortified as Moonspear. I've made over 50,000 dinar for this company with my deeds. I refuse to believe the Grandmaster who marched pon the pyramid for the enslaved would be willing to abide one of her men unjustly accused and sentenced. Capitana knows of my immense value

The beauty of a castle is one can be safe in it for months if under siege. The desert is quite vast and there are many places I could disappear to if need be. But my main fear I am among sellswords and cutthroats. What happens if Vellyn is able to offer a high enough number of gold? I do not think Louis would have saved me if I was to be killed later. I don't know what my Capitana plans but I hope it's a good one. My Condoiterro Rousseau was clearly confused the situation makes no sense and this knife eared creature did break a contract how can she be trusted? Perhaps I can somehow be like Durgrin and receive a pardon from the princess somehow? Perhaps the gold league can fix this? Perhaps our warmaster can find a sympathetic ear at the Divan?

My exile leaves me spared from the warfare that is the Scald since one has to break exile to reach the Scald. My foes want me out hunting. What fool abandons a castle and plays to the wishes of their opponent? Perhaps my death is soon this wouldn't be a bad age to die I'd hate to be some old fool too slow on vials and sloppy in battle. My eyes and ears simply are not what they are used to people can sneak up on me now which has caused me issues.

Apothar

Some very urgent and frightening news on the situation has reached me find me in the fortress as soon as possible.


-Balestiere Donishtrope

Dear Lujayn al-Farisyya

The legion is very eager to insist that the purple league they have abandoned for two elections in a row for the gold league and its tenets are not something the Banda Rossa can agree on. I have to say my recluta is clearly impressed by your league she got her first contract from you and was inspired by you enough to join your league if I was a new Recluta such an outreach may have lead me to the purples. I look at the tenets and I find few things the company can disagree with. I shall do you a service and provide you a list of the purple league's tenets and why the Banda and most of the Rose would not be opposed to any of them in fact many of them are to the benefit of the company. I will reiterate also that my Recluta is a member of the purple league and has just as much right to invite guests as you do the Banda Rossa can play the exact same league games as the legion I would consider. This idea the Sultan's legion in the gold league and Selwyn are "invited" and I was not which is what was implied I found to be a silly argument. A good purple candidate can in fact earn the vote of the Banda Rossa.

1: To hold Sacroscant faiths, to build out great temples and shrines in honor of the Divine.

There is nothing in this the Banda Rossa opposes in fact temples and shrines need security and can bring lucrative contracts to Capitana's Banda Rossa. The purple league has chosen to respect the faith so much their previous legate effectively was granting the faithful absolvers and lictors the legion's authority. This can also include temples and shrines to the divine Dome of Man as well as the wheel.

2: To honor the guard upon the wall and hold true to his sacrifice.

The Cinquefoil Rose guard the wall at our southern borders known as the gate of Roses facing the ramparts and the wastes. Men do sacrifice themselves quite frequently along with the legion. The Banda Rossa are included in this and we can't disagree that we deserve to be honored. We the Banda Rossa sacrificed the most lives in the Red Hill and the Abmudallah we agree with being honored.

3: To build upon and maintain the ancient traditions of our forebears.

This tenet is quite confusing the ancient traditions of whose forebears? Ephia's Well is a wide variety of different backgrounds and cultures from a number of different rings including this one. I do my best to celebrate the peerage ward of Ring 99 and honor my forefathers. The Ashfolk have an ancient tradition of bribery which will no doubt greatly enrich Capitana's Banda Rossa. Ancient traditions do include good business like paying mercenaries well it is not something any of the company can reject. Many of the Balladeers also do honor the traditions of old. I frequently give praise to my forefather Dorvant so much so I have erected a statue in his honor in the Krak De Roses. Duello is an ancient tradition of more forebears and even the Modini have a bridge for dueling Achaeus Saenus even for a brief period legalized dueling and voiced his support for such an ancient tradition.

4: To preserve and record knowledge in all of its forms, supporting grand libraries and colleges.

I already have done these things and will continue to do so. Many a scholar has contracted myself and Banda Rossa to secure them on archaeological digs in pursuit of knowledge. Libraries and colleges are in need of security. These things are all potential business for Capitana's Banda Rossa. I have an extensive collection of literature including one the Caliphs and a biography of our current glorious Sultan.

5: To welcome those that flee the lawless wastes and offer them the protection of our sovereign.

There is nothing the Banda Rossa can be opposed to. In fact we to offer protection to our patrons in the Krak De Roses and other places for a fee. We are happy to make people even safer under our sovereign by offering our services.

6: To deal judiciously and prudently with the manyfold powers of the desert.

A good foreign policy with trade is good for the treasury and economy of the well which is good for the Banda Rossa as we call this place our home. It also can potentially give the Banda Rossa more work.

7: To strike out into the sands and claim them for our Sultanate.

This league tenet praises the noble knights of the Cinquefoil Rose the most. When one looks at extremely valuable claims for the Sultanate I look at Ephia's Well a place we have claimed for the Sultanate. The Cinquefoil Rose even managed to sway Capitana's Banda Rossa to act with true honor ultimately join them in bleeding for our glorious Sultan and giving him the well ridding him of many of the usurpers men. If there are more lands that need to be claimed Capitana's Banda Rossa can reap more gold and glory from doing this.


8: To govern and protect those without voice with strength and compassion.

There is again nothing we disagree with we regularly protect the voiceless under contracts and our voiceless patrons who enjoy the company of our truly honored Master of the Wines.


I hope this list provides some insight on how the purple league can in fact be to the Banda Rossa's benefit and give us immense profits. Why would a mercenary company be opposed to this?


-Balestiere Luther Donisthrope

Dear Sergeant Reyer


You seem so eager to insist that the purple league tenets are not something the Banda Rossa could agree on. I have to say my recluta is clearly impressed by your league she got a very easy job to sing a hymn to the mother if I was a new Recluta such an outreach may have lead me to the purples. I look at the tenets and I find few things the company can disagree with. So I shall do you a service and provide you a list of the purple league's tenets and why the Banda would not be opposed to any of them in fact many of them are to the benefit of the company. I will reiterate also that my Recluta is a member of the purple league and has just as much right to invite guests to it as al-Farisyya. This idea the Sultan's legion in the gold league and Selwyn are "invited" and I was not which is what was implied I found to be a silly argument. A good purple candidate can in fact earn the vote of the Banda Rossa.

1: To hold Sacroscant faiths, to build out great temples and shrines in honor of the Divine.

There is nothing in this the Banda Rossa opposes in fact temples and shrines need security and can bring lucrative contracts to Capitana's Banda Rossa. The purple league has chosen to respect the faith so much their previous legate effectively was granting the faithful absolvers and lictors legion authority. This can also include temples and shrines to the divine Dome of Man as well as the wheel.

2: To honor the guard upon the wall and hold true to his sacrifice.

The Cinquefoil Rose guard the wall at our southern borders known as the gate of Roses facing the ramparts and the wastes. Men do sacrifice themselves quite frequently along with a legion. The Banda Rossa are included in this and we can't disagree that we deserve to be honored. We the Banda Rossa sacrificed the most lives in the Red Hill and the Abmudallah we agree with being honored.

3: To build upon and maintain the ancient traditions of our forebears.

This tenet is quite confusing the ancient traditions of whose forebears? Ephia's Well is a wide variety of different backgrounds and cultures from a number of different rings including this one. I do my best to celebrate the peerage ward of Ring 99 and honor my forefathers. The Ashfolk have an ancient tradition of bribery which will no doubt greatly enrich Capitana's Banda Rossa. Ancient traditions do include good business like paying mercenaries well it is not something any of the company can reject. Many of the Balladeers also do honor the traditions of old. I frequently give praise to my forefather Dorvant so much so I have erected a statue in his honor in the Krak De Roses. Duello is an ancient tradition of more forebears and even the Modini have a bridge for dueling Achaeus Saenus even for a brief period legalized dueling and voiced his support for such an ancient tradition.

4: To preserve and record knowledge in all of its forms, supporting grand libraries and colleges.

I already have done these things and will continue to do so. Many a scholar has contracted myself and Banda Rossa to secure them on archaeological digs in pursuit of knowledge. Libraries and colleges are in need of security. These things are all potential business for Capitana's Banda Rossa. I have an extensive collection of literature including one the Caliphs and a biography of our current glorious Sultan.

5: To welcome those that flee the lawless wastes and offer them the protection of our sovereign.

There is nothing the Banda Rossa can be opposed to. In fact we to offer protection to our patrons in the Krak De Roses and other places for a fee. We are happy to make people even safer under our sovereign by offering our services.

6: To deal judiciously and prudently with the manyfold powers of the desert.

A good foreign policy with trade is good for the treasury and economy of the well which is good for the Banda Rossa as we call this place our home. It also can potentially give the Banda Rossa more work.

7: To strike out into the sands and claim them for our Sultanate.

This league tenet praises the noble knights of the Cinquefoil Rose the most. When one looks at extremely valuable claims for the Sultanate I look at Ephia's Well a place we have claimed for the Sultanate. The Cinquefoil Rose even managed to sway Capitana's Banda Rossa to act with true honor ultimately join them in bleeding for our glorious Sultan and giving him the well ridding him of many of the usurpers men. If there are more lands that need to be claimed Capitana's Banda Rossa can reap more gold and glory from doing this.


8: To govern and protect those without voice with strength and compassion.

There is again nothing we disagree with we regularly protect the voiceless under contracts and our voiceless patrons who enjoy the company of our truly honored Master of the Wines.


I hope this list provides some insight on how the purple league can in fact be to the Banda Rossa's benefit and give us immense profits. Why would a mercenary company be opposed to this?


-Balestiere Luther Donisthrope

Second Legion Lieutenant
This is a message from the Glorious Second Legion to the 'roundshields' of the Fourth. A patrol of our men within the confines of the Sublime Garden encountered a rabble of so-called 'adventurers' skulking about some ruins.

Second Legion Lieutenant
When challenged, this gang claimed to be plundering ruins at the behest of some 'board' - whatever that means. They treated my men with extreme disrespect. Now I hear that they are being accused - quite without purchase - of banditry.

Second Legion Lieutenant
Let the Fourth Legion keep their house in order. The next time the Second Legion are met with such dishonourable claims, we shall not be so forgiving. These are the words of the Second Legion. Woe that they are discounted.

Dear Grandmaster Elizabeth D'Auvergne

I know I write well beyond my station however I wished to report this to you and ask you forgive me. I write to you to express concern. I apprehended a knife eared necromancer who desecrated your halls with a floating skull and delivered her to the fourth legion. Lieutenant Colmes an officer of the legion then released her claiming the foul thing was a replica made of plaster. A priestess of the wyld and a scholar of the Sandstone have said otherwise. I am simply disgusted that the Sultan's legion allows this act to go unpunished. I write to you out of grave concern. The legion has now made it apparent that such wicked magics in our home can occur unpunished and this may encourage future incidents. Back home this would have never happened. I think it is unconscionable an officer of the legion would openly allow this. He and his men even saw the skull in question in person. They saw the elven creature stand up for it.


Never shall we wilt

Balestiere Luther Donisthrope

Dear Vellyn Lhyrian

A necromancer was caught red handed in the Krak De Roses with a number of witnesses including legionaries who were present. I beat her down and surrender her to their custody. The legion took her in and later released her claiming the skull was not undead. The Sultan's fourth legion has very publicly and openly granted amnesty for a caller of the dead to desecrate our halls unpunished and a necromancer to walk the streets of the well. I have even obtained a written statement from Maqqari a learned spellcaster who also by his own observations claimed the entity the elf summoned was indeed an undead.

I am in utter disbelief and disgusted. The legion has made it very apparent that foul necromancers can bring undead into the Krak De Roses unpunished by them. I request this be at  the very least noted as a demerit when looking at their allotment.

-Balestiere Donisthrope

Rennik Colmes
Not even a necromancer is foolish enough to openly bring an animated skull into the Krak, and despite appearances, that isn't what happened here. Fragments of the familiar retrieved from the scene revealed it to be constructed from plaster-- artificia

[Luther pens a note and begins to leave the Banda Rossa fortress grumbling to himself "These damn midget overlords who can't even fight or duel." he then walks to the well and hands the water supervisor a letter and a pouch containing 200 gold.]



Dear Melim al-Ramin Water Supervisor

I write to you because I am hearing contradictory sources of information. At a recent assembly the legates and scribes suggested I make an inquiry with you. Multiple sources have told me Ephia's Well as tribute gives Bazeel 90% of its waters that of 500 barrels of water the well keeps 50. Legate Dante Moretti has claimed a number of times publicly that he reduced this number down to 75%. Given Moretti's tendency to tell outlandish lies such as his ability to control how he controls the gold league nomination. When others have claimed he did not in fact lower Ephia Well's tributes to our Sultan Osman sixth of his name, our Eagle - he whose name outshines the very sun he so glorious is his rule that he only sleeps 2 hours a day overlord of our lands. It is a curiosity and something the voiced of the well and his Sublime majesty's loyal citizens aught to know how much we are in fact giving him as tribute. His loyal subjects and citizens should all know the level of generosity we bestow. What happens to the water when it is sent to Bazeel? I have not had the pleasure of going to Bazeel.

-Balestiere Luther Donisthropr

Dear Vellyn Lhyrian

I must write to you of a certain concern from the last gold league meeting. The legion getting their choice of magistrate it is not a concern to me. What is a concern for me is rather if this legion appointed magistrate has my respect for the basic principles of such important concepts of the  accord, rule of law, and basic principles of jurisprudence and willing to recluse themselves from trials that put the accord in jeporady. As I stated to you in office I intended to excuse myself from trials where a member of the Rose or another of the accord is on trial for capital crimes. The Banda Rossa and other parties of the accord are not the sole prosecutors our ability to use the position of magistrate to execute our enemies is nonexistent. It is not a concern of mine if the legion wishes to have this guarantee or to rig trials of the common man and put into question the fairness of their trials thus making a mockery of our courts and put our penal code and legal procedures into question. These are not concerns I have but some voters may have them. What is my concern is the safety of my men and comrades. I simply wish this magistrate the legion has to not preside over any trials of the Rose.

I will note that Rhuk Nor accused my recluta Quigsby of "Treason" in the middle of an assembly over an incident of idiocy that occurred weeks ago over him placing a bomb he had no intention of detonating. This never resulted in a charge of treason yet occurred in front of many witnesses a magistrate included. He was later reprimanded by myself and Balestiere Stearwood after he was fined. The fact  no trial occurred makes me wonder why if he did commit treason he was never prosecuted for it? Quigsby is also a recluta the legion would be free to make him stand trial at any time where they can make their accusation of treason and present their evidence. It does make me wonder if they are simply waiting for their appointed magistrate to rig such a trial. For I can't see the logic in slandering someone's name and accusing them of crime of treason without ever prosecuting them for it. Then again I come from a place where such an accusation meant to prove oneself on a bridge duel. I must also add the Sergeant who saw him in the act didnt arrest him for treason but later accused him of it at the assembly.




-Balestiere Donisthrope

Rhuk Nor
Recluta Quagsby has been removed from the Pyramid. Do not make even vague threats to the structures of Ephia's Well. Work out your... Voices for veterans without use of such threats.

Rhuk Nor
Vague or serious. Bad. At this time, he was not charged. He will not show this kindness a second time. Live and drink.

Molten champions and VOIDCALLERS are clearly badass and everyone is afraid of them give them both a fear aura to reflect that their very presence terrifies the battlefield and a well timed void caller dispel with a fear aura will make them even more lethal. Bring them the fear aura.

I have also forwarded a report from my Recluta.

-Balestiere Donisthrope

Hanson's Assault

As we were heading back above ground from Assuru, most of us drank invisibility potions and ran away past hordes of ghosts. Hanson and Arymathras were both left behind by the entire group and only I stayed behind to look after them. They didn't have invisibility potions, so I offered one to Hanson and asked him to pay me 80 dinar for the bottle.

He didn't want to pay, so I left him there to deal with the problem himself like everyone else did by running past him. He ended up running past the ghosts and was completely unharmed. Nevertheless, he was upset, and started joking about killing me. When we went up the lift and reached the Dry Gutters, he started swinging his sword at me for a good minute saying his hands "slipped". We started fighting after that and Balestriere Donisthrope beat him and dragged him off to the Fortress.

We waited for a Lieutenant to come and we didn't touch any of his belongings. Once an officer came to get him, we handed him over to the Legion. As far as I know there were no consequences for his misconduct whatsoever. It also seems like he still holds a grudge and doesn't feel any remorse at all. Given how stupid his motivations were for trying to shank me I think he may have hit his head on the way down to Assuru. He ended up spending much more than the 80 dinar for a potion that it turned out he didn't even need just to take his anger out on a reasonable business transaction.

[close]

Narwen's thoughts on this song. Although with your recent stance in regards to the sisterhood there is something I am quite curious about. Can a Lyrist order that everyone under her command quits drinking a certain popular beverage? You seem to have made it a point to name the sisters your foe yet your men are clearly addicted to their drugs. It is not a good position for a commander to be in. Trust me when I say there is a reason the Capitana does not let us partake and her example is quite a good example to follow. I believe you would desire your men to be less subservient to them?

-Balestiere Donisthrope

Thank you, Magistrate-Balestiere Donisthrope.

I too am confounded as to why this is being discussed in this way.

I have made a written report to the Divan.

The scholars present made their notations on the music that I was able to draw out of the miasma's memory.

I purposely did not chant the words aloud at that time, for their purpose was dark and wicked and forbidden. They drifted through the periphery of my awareness like a predator and I was filled with the knowledge that to look too acutely at this predator would be to bare my neck to it. Thus I only have a tenuous awareness of the vocal contents of the chant.

I will not reproduce the spoken chant beyond the syllabic melody. Nor will I put them to parchment. The chant and the miasma are joined together as one. To invoke one is to invite the other and so this matter must be handled with great care.


In humble service as the Seat of Lore,
Acolyte Narwen Alendiel

No doubt when two members of the accord do battle the offices of the legate are interested. After an expedition with the astronomers into the deeper gutters an altercation occurred between soldier Hanson and Recluta Quigsby over him not proving him a potion. After the matter was over he then attacked my Recluta and I leaped to his defense. After much fighting and numerouse supplies expended he was brought low and brought to the fortress. He was then handed to the custody of a Jannisary Lieutenant. 

I have no clue as to what discipline awaits him for the assault upon one of my men. For if there was discipline he wouldn't have did what he did over an invisibility vial. Much supplies were wasted on what could have been spent fighting Orcs in the Scald. I hope when reviewing allotments you and Sayburgh can agree the legion is due some sort of penalty for this. I will forward you Quigsby's report when he writes it.

-Balestiere Donisthrope

[Most Honourable Magistrate Luther Donisthrophe,]

Dear Acolyte Narwen

I have no idea why they can't write you a letter but they want more information about the song you managed to know. Evidently your performance and 2 Nadiri present were not enough information for the tower.

-Balestiere Donisthrope

[A letter is send in reply to the fortress of the Banda Rossa, marked with the name "Balestiére Luther Donistrophe". The body of the text is in an elegant, well practiced script.]

Most Honourable Magistrate Luther Donisthrophe,

The seat of the first Legate welcomes your contribution to its archives. The legate concurs with your choice to study this ancient language. She expects there may be vital war effort related clues in the words. Present the Acolyte to replicate the song, or have her write out the syllables as she remembers them. And bring them to the Tower of Q'tolip for further study.

In name of the legate,

Vizier, Nadiri and Principal Oracle,

𒊩𒀭𒈹𒂊𒄿𒄼𒋛𒊑

Nadiri V and Nadiri Selwyn were both present for the golden vizier's investigation and Narwen singing the song in question. None the less I will send her your request. However given her history with your tower she might not be the most cooperative.


-Balestiere Donisthrope