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Dear Prelate Faith Kruehtzer,

I assure you that I shall treat this matter of the Astronomers of Q'Tolip with the same dignity, respect and urgency that they have shown me.


Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis,
Scribe of the Sublime Garden,
Apprentice Cartographer of the Lands and Skies,
In loyal service to Ephia's Well

[Territory:]

Dear Prelate Faith Kruehtzer,

Thank you for your letter. It is my pleasure as a dutiful Scribe of the Sublime Garden and an officer of The Most Illustrious Office of Cartography, Surveyors and Measurements to provide you with what you need.

As far as the request detailed in your letter, concerning official matters between Tlonsiyya and Ephia's Well, it saddens me to say that the Scribes of the Sublime Garden have found no records of any formal trade or work agreements made between the two settlements. Nor are we aware of any signed agreements to the effect that you described. As such it would be improper for us to enact a treaty that does not officially exist.

But do not worry! We Scribes are here to help with difficult situations such as this one! We are, as my Master so eloquently put it, the Little Hands, Little Eyes and Little Minds of the Great Magi Izdu, here to help convey and transform imperfect worldly thoughts into his more perfect eternal design.

The first task will be to formalize this informal agreement and enter it into the Scribal Records.

Assuming that this was an informal, spoken agreement made between two parties rather than a Scribal mistake (unlikely) - we will require the following information.

• Principals of the agreement - The primary negotiators who were acting in some official capacity on behalf of their governments.
• Witnesses to the agreement - Any individuals present during the informal declaration and affirmation of the agreement who can attest and verify to the actionable deed.
• Terms of the agreement - What was informally agreed to. It will also be helpful to know "how" the agreement was agreed to - was it by the shaking of hands, by spitting, by a brotherly embrace, or some other means?

Once we have made a formal record of this informal agreement we can work on filling out the details of an official agreement between the two peoples. You must understand that these people are not vassals of the Sultan, and as such it is our responsibility to ensure that the Sultan's Sublime Grace is cast over his subjects just as Blessed B'aara's Shroud is cast over us all. There are many matters to consider - such as how will crime and punishment involving a person of Ephia's Well be handled if they are the victim or perpetrator of a misdeed in Tlonsiyya? How will Ephia's Well be compensated in matters of death or disfigurement of its persons? We need to establish the right to inspect trade goods and cargo for contraband. And so much more! I assure you that these are very exciting times!

As for the third request in your letter - I have included in this letter our survey on Hisar Tlonsiyya, assembled from the Divan of War's diplomatic records, surveys, visitation and interview.

As for the fourth request in your letter - At this time I can state that there are four potential trade routes that can be considered.

   1. Overland, through the canyons. This is a narrow, treacherous route through canyons filled with narrow ledges, deep chasms and monstrous aerial creatures. The narrow ledges limit pack animals to smaller creatures unafraid of heights, such as goats - and trade goods would be limited to what they and porters can carry themselves, greatly restricting the quantity and size of goods that could be brought in trade. Once past the Shrieking Canyons the roads open up, though they still travel through contested territories. There is the possibility of appealing to the Sultan's Geomancers for assistance in making the overland pass safer to navigate for wagons and larger pack beasts.

   2. By Edutu - I. Tlonsiyya has at their disposal what they call an "Auto Barge", a baublium powered contraption capable of generating a self-motivating force. Trade goods could be ferried to the mouth of the Edutu, transferred to land, and conveyed overland to Ephia's Well. This is a much longer and slower route and travelling to the mouth of the Edutu will bring it within distance of Hisar Kuromak which is at present controlled by the vile Qa'im - and so there is the possibility that trade goods may be intercepted and seized or destroyed.

   3. By Edutu - II. A third possibility is that the Auto-Barge can offload their cargo before passing Hisar Kuromak. This would necessitate travel through the jungles of Bel-Ishun, and as such is exceedingly dangerous.

   4. By Ash Sail. Tlonsiyya does not have an Ash Sail, nor did I see any air-docks suitable for one in their territory, so that is a matter that would have to be resolved to make this a viable option. Then Ash Sails from Ephia's Well could be conveyed to Tlonsiyya where they could dock, load and unload trade goods and passengers. This may have the negative side effect of opening Tlonsiyya to Qa'im visitation and trade via their air-vessels. This would also be the most restrictive option as Ash Sails are a very precious and limited quantity.

Thus, do we sign and mark with our seal,
Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis,
Scribe of the Sublime Garden,
Apprentice Cartographer of the Lands and Skies,
In loyal service to Ephia's Well

Dossier on Hisar Tlonsiyya

Territory:
   Hisar Tlonsiyya and surrounding lands
   Portions of Edutu River
   
Ruler:
   Vice-Chancellor Pakas Oruko
   
Seat of Rule:
   The Silver Madrassa, Tlonsiyya

Number of Settlements:
   1

Population:
   Thousands
   
Exports:
   Baublium
   Mechanical Salvage
   Grenades and explosives training

Imports:
   Food
   Water
   Luxury Goods
   Labor

Soldiery:
   Militia
   Mechanical Static Defenses
   Mechanical Mobile Guardians

Known Diplomatic Relations:
   Baz'eel - Neutral
   Qa'im - Neutral

Places of Note:
   "The Well" - Subterranean passages beneath their settlement filled with traps, toxic gas and other dangers. They call these passages "The Arteries."
   Temple of Izdu - closed to visitors.
   Docks - "Auto-barge" that traverses the Edutu.
   
Diplomatic Contacts:
   Raonn Otannuk - Merchant Diplomat

Other Notable Peoples:
   Shep Lenak
   Captain Ivoka Yjeso
   Havanjar Skerak

Potential Trade Routes:
   Overland through canyons - Dangerous terrain which limits pack beasts and wagons, contested by monsters.
   Edutu - May bring their barge within interception distance of Hisar Kuromak. Travel through jungle is likely very dangerous.
   
Notes:
   Tlonsiyya's initial attempt to engage in diplomacy with Ephia's Well went terribly, with Ephian citizens and the Rose threatening murder upon their ambassador and driving him away.
   A follow-up trade delegation was formed by Ephia's Well to attempt to repair relations. This appears to have been successful to some degree.
   Tlonsiyya is unwilling to formally declare for one side or another. Streets filled with potential agents of both Baz'eel and Qa'im.
   Vice-Chancellor is the ruler of the settlement (elected by council? Needs further investigation.) There is no Chancellor - that may be a ceremonial and spiritual position, perhaps held by Izdu.
   Ferric Exiles may be exiles from Tlonsiyya. Needs further investigation.
   Tlonsiyya allied with the Union of Kardeslar, providing training and material equipment for the campaign. They have since then continued to provide training in explosives.

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They can memorize multiple circles of doom. The priest cooldowns are per spell slot.

How many do you think?

I would invite any to actually cast this spell ingame and witness how wonky, small AoE and low damage it is hehe.

If we assume a level 9 cleric with enough WIS for a bonus slot then that's 3 Circles of Doom slotted. If they're going all in on this, maybe they have GSF Necro to boost its saving throw, maybe they have GSF Transmutation to buff their WIS even more. Each circle does 1d8 + 9 damage, fort save for half, only affects enemies (according to the wiki at least)

In combat this level 9 cleric cast 3 Circles of Doom, dealing a total of 3d8 + 27 negative energy damage to all enemies in a fireball radius around them over 3 rounds. They have enough concentration to cast it defensively, they are buffed up and perhaps even start from invisibility to prevent being targeted.
Then there's 2 rounds of downtime where they heal up 2 friendlies.
Then the first circle of doom is regenerated and they begin again.

[ISHAK]

Dear Absolver Faith Kruehtzer,

We have received a reply from Arslan concerning the bodies of the three individuals of which you you have inquired.

It appears that their bodies were conveyed back to Ephia's Well and it is from the mausoleum in Ephia's Well that they have gone missing. This has been confirmed by several local sources.


Scribe Zepha Nesendya al-Faltarnis
Tammuz 27, IY 7789

Honoured Scribe,

Much is the work in Arslan, following the defeat of the Jackal; yet, I found myself compelled to answer.

The Tutors kept excellent records, following the battle, and the dead were catalogued.

None of those you described were among them.

There was perhaps one that matched this Qen similarly; but he was not an elf. A human, dark of skin and of similar trappings as described. He was not of the Tutorial Guard, nor in any other records. I would therefore assume he was your own.

These others, they were not amongst the dead here. I made some enquiries of the Tutorial Guards, and some say they saw them being carried from the battle by one of your own. An old man, bearded, perhaps a priest; the symbol of Uraziir on his back.

What came of them beyond that, I do not know.

In faith and knowledge,
ISHAK

(Some poor messenger is given a sealed letter and instructions to seek and deliver it to the King of the Taridut)


Say to Tatu Tul, the King of Taridut, our friend: Thus, Vellyn Lhyrian, the Legate of the Second Seat of Ephia's Well, your friend. For me and my people all goes well. For you, for your wives, for your sons, for your people, your chums, your tents and all lands where you roam, may all go very well.

Let it be known, that our people rejoice. There is the sound of much happiness in the air, for this great victory that we have won together. The people cry out for joy, they sing and dance and make merry in all matter of ways.

But amidst this joyous celebration there is a thing that brings tears to our eyes. Where are our friends, the Big Chums, whom we fought and won a great victory with, and whom we dearly wish to laugh and sing and dance and celebrate alongside?

Many of the children ask me this - Where are the big, rotund bellies, which when slapped in a jovial manner, their shaking brings amusement to all the people such that they smile in glee?

Where are their mounts, who are so mighty and majestic that the land gasps out in excitement with every step?

For this, we cry out - Let us not ask why the Big Chums are not here to celebrate with us, but ask why we are not with the Big Chums! And so we say to you - let us come to you and we shall bring with us gifts of many animals, and much food, and much drink and all sorts of wonderful things! And therefore let us celebrate together in your home in the manner of friends!

And then we shall give gifts, and dance and sing and eat and drink together in much merriment in the manner of friends, such that all people in all lands would look upon us and know that we are friends, and know that neither of us covets nor desires what the other is not willing to give, nor would they take which was not given, nor grasp covetously to when asked to relinquish what is not theirs, for such is not the way of friends.

Tell the messenger whom delivers these joyful words when and where we should devise to meet, and it shall be done!

To the Honorable Ishak, Ferik of the Tutorial Guard,

Written on this, the 24th day of the Month of Tammuz, in the reign of the Mighty Osman VI, may Life, Prosperity and Health be upon him.

From the hand of Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis, Scribe of the Sublime Garden, Apprentice Cartographer of the Lands and Skies, on behalf of Faith Kruehtzer, Absolver of Guilt.

Peaceful Greetings.

A matter of gravity and sacred import compels this writing.

Let it be known that Ephia's Well seeks the earthly remains of three individuals, once held in honorable service, now passed beyond the Four Reeds into the realm of the dead. Their names are written upon the scrolls of the Maqbara and spoken in hushed tones by the Preperators at the House of the Dead, but their earthly bodies have become lost to us and their loved ones cry out for their return.

It is believed - by the will of Kalim, that their bodies may lie within Arslan, their mortal lives lost during the liberation of Arslan from the clutches of jackals. If they may lie there upon your grounds then we implore you - search your resting places and speak with the preparers of the dead. If these honored dead are found, then let them be treated according to the sacred rites and returned with reverence to the Maqbara in Ephia's Well, beneath the gaze of the Palatial Pyramid.

If this is done then our gratitude shall flow like the Mother's tears.


They are as follows:


Dralnu, Recluta of the Banda Rossa - Human, Male. Masculine. Agasian Battle-Chaplain, who did holy worship with his hands. Dressed in heavy armor, black, dark gray and red. Of youthful face, hair of reddish-brown, short.

Qen - Elf, Male. Dressed in green and Sand leather, typical of followers of Kula.

Mansur Amun-Rezhir - Human, Male. Dressed in heavy armor of gray, brown and dusky red. May have had a whip.


Thus, do we sign and mark with our seal,
Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis,
Scribe of the Sublime Garden,
Apprentice Cartographer of the Lands and Skies,
In loyal service to Ephia's Well

They can memorize multiple circles of doom. The priest cooldowns are per spell slot.

Dear Absolver Faith Kruehtzer,

We have received your request concerning the mortal remains of three citizens of Ephia's Well whose lives were presumed to have been lost in service to Ephia's Well during the liberation of Arslan.

We must stress the difficulty of your request - many weeks have passed since their reported demise and we are as of this time uncertain as to what steps the provisional government have taken with regards to the dead. They may have already been buried in a mass grave, they may have been cremated. They may have been dressed and set aside, which is the most ideal outcome.


In order to facilitate their potential discovery and return, we ask that you provide a physical description of the three individuals:

    Mansur Amun-Rezhir

    Qen Wildwalker

    Recluta Dralnu


Once we have been provided with the means of identification we will author a letter to our liaison within the Arslan Provisional Government requesting their investigation into this matter, and if possible, facilitate the return of the bodies so that they may be buried with the appropriate honors.

Again, we politely emphasize the difficulty of the request and ask that you keep your expectations within appropriate limits.


Scribe Zepha Nesendya al-Faltarnis
Tammuz 23, IY 7789

Royal Scribe of the Tomb,
Akemmakhte al-Ipuy
In service to his Royal Highness,
Sultan Osman al-Maribid, Sixth
May the spires sing his praise.
Bazeel


Master,

See enclosed my first draft of my initial survey of the Fortress of Ephia's Well, as well as a rendering of the gate itself showing the Stonefolk's Masonry style, rendered in the oblique. A more detailed ground survey will follow, which shall denote the heights and declination of the land surrounding the fortress; however this effort is hampered by the presence of the refugees as well as the late arrival of my instruments (which, at this time, are still yet to arrive.)

I believe that my attempts to have the refugees moved away so that I may conduct a proper cartographical survey of the topology will not be well received by the authorities that be. I will, of course, do my best.

There have been many funerals, and such an outpouring of emotion that even I found it at times difficult to retain composure.

Diplomatic efforts are underway. I have helped compose a letter to the Taridut people in the Bazeelian Formal Written Style For Speaking With Cultured Barbarians.

I am also investigating the cause of the unusually large number of elves migrating to Ephia's Well this month, which is Tammuz. I plan on incorporating the Elven Migration Patterns in my Greater Regional Survey.


My efforts as a scribe have gone largely well received.

Your apprentice,
Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis

Ephia's Well
Fortress of Ephia's Well
Krak des Roses

Initial Survey Report
Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis
Apprentice Cartographer


The Fortress of Ephia's Well was constructed during the illegitimate rule of the self styled Prince Orentes the Second in an attempt to emulate the glamor and history of Sultan Osman II, The Builder.

The exact years of the construction of the fortress are lost, it is known that it occurred between IY 7707 and IY 7722. Principal construction was carried out by Stonefolk Stonemasons, it is unknown if any of the Stonefolk who participated in its construction are still present as the Stonefolk are notoriously tight-lipped about such details. Secondary constructions and fortifications were later conducted by the Orentes people, and then by the Cinquefoil Rose occupying force during the Years of Belligerence prior to the signing of the Accord.

Outer wall construction is done in the "Stonefolk Masonry Style", consisting of irregular blocks of stone (primarily Sandstone, with a lower foundation layer of Granite) cut and fit with extremely tight tolerances. They are fitted without the use of mortar, cement or other bonding agent, relying solely on weight and friction for stability.

Stonefolk Masonry has some benefits over the styles practiced by other developed peoples (who mostly favor more regularly shaped bricks laid out in the Regular Horizontal style) and some drawbacks, which I shall cover in brief here. Weight and pressure is less equally distributed downwards, leading to areas with greater stability and resilience than may be found in other masonry styles, particularly in the joints. This stability is "unpredictable" to the lay-person, meaning assailants can have difficulty identifying weak points to exploit or focus upon. The smaller stones are usually considered weaker but are difficult to exploit because of their reduced size. The counter-side of this defense is that an assailant can "accidentally" strike a weak-point at random.

The primary weakness of this masonry style is the lack of bonds between the stones - resulting in the upper stones, which have only their own weight to hold them in place, being more vulnerable to pressure attack than the lower stones. If one is unable to breach a Stonefolk Wall by force, and unable to go around it, then the commonly employed technique is one of "Toppling", whereby the upper stones are targeted and knocked down or pulled down with many ropes and grapples, then the same is applied to the next highest bricks. Each upper stone is more easily dislodged than one might find in another masonry style - but the overall process to produce a breach large enough to exploit is time consuming and physically demanding.

The walls of the fortress are largely intact - leading me to believe that the fortress walls were not forcibly breached during the Battle of Reclamation conducted by the Janissaries of the 4th Legion.

There are traces of plaster about the wall, particularly within the joins between different stones. There are accounts of the opulent and gaudy nature of the Orentes people, as well as accounts of the luminous glory of the gate, which leads me to believe that at one time there was an outer façade layer of glazed clay and quartz. This façade was likely damaged during the Battle of Reclamation and subsequently looted in its near-entirety in the aftermath. Small traces of blue and yellow glazed ceramic have been found in the sand near the gate.

Two obelisks and two stone statues, not pictured in the rendering. Believed by this cartographer to not be part of the Stonefolk Construction but artifacts excavated from the buried depths and placed here for ceremonial purpose.

The gate itself consists of a two layer defense, a reinforced portcullis and a large door. The gate is wide enough for three (human) men to march abreast in order, and for four or five to do so with some "squeezing."

The two manned towers provide adequate firing arcs to fire upon the inner gate as well as the outer gate. Additional barricades, stone and wooden merlons, provide cover from opposing archers.

The roof of the fortress provides a platform adequate for various war machinery. Currently it is adorned with some of the devices that project the Astronomer's "Shade", which we were not allowed to inspect in great detail. The upper floor of the fortress features many arrow slits which could have been used to unleash salvos of arrows over the walls.

Ground - A flagstones walkway from the Fortress Gate to the First Outer Gate, in great disrepair. Sand, consisting of silicate, ash, minute traces of quartz and other minerals, fills the rest of the courtyard. Unknown if sand was originally part of the design or if it has filled the courtyard due to neglect and disrepair.


First Outer Gate and Wall
I have decided to count and number these walls going "outward" from the gate, rather than going "inwards" from the exterior.

The First Outer Wall forms and surrounds an inner courtyard before the Fortress proper. This wall is largely intact, and is notably much thinner and less stable than the walls of the fortress itself. The gate itself is large and very tall, to the height of four men (I must ask forgiveness for these imprecise measurements as my instruments have yet to arrive) and this gate is reportedly often destroyed in attacks, requiring its frequent repair and replacement.

Two embattlements on either side of the gate would have allowed many archers and siege weapons to be brought to bare, however at this time they remain undefended and largely claimed by the throngs of refugees. Shrines and memorials have been erected on the south facing embattlements.

Of note is one of Osman IV's fabled puzzle chambers upon this wall, in a tower west of the first outer gate. It is reportedly still operational. I have yet to determine if this was its original location or if this was somehow recovered from the Summer Palace and relocated here.


Second Outer Gate and Wall
Largely destroyed - remnants of this layer of defense can be found in the forms of large towers and the crumbling remnants of walls between them. The size of the towers lead me to believe that these were parts of the outer city wall fortifications, however there are some signs of habitation and fortification even further out. The towers are largely intact, and raise several stories in the air - however without any defensive fortifications about them or a nearby garrison them they are vulnerable to attack. The towers are currently claimed (and fought over) by refugees.

There are some traces of the outer wall which now serve as makeshift embattlements.

There are no traces of the outer city gate.

Of note is one statue of a giant by the western embattlement, toppled over such that its foot projects high into the air, called "The Defeated Giant"

There are many buildings of various states of repair between the Second Outer Wall and the First Outer Wall. All is claimed and fought over by the mass of refugees.

Legates, Deputy Chief Scribe, and all others whom it may concern,


I have here presented for your consideration a draft for a diplomatic correspondence with the Taridut, composed in the Old Bazeelian Formal Written Style For Speaking With Cultured Barbarians. I believe this will serve to convey our request for a meeting of our peoples in an affirmative manner that the Taridut will find satisfying. We still require the proper name of their King. If you need make ammendments or alterations to this I deferentially but politely stress that you keep the first paragraph intact as this is a formalized greeting.


Zepha Nesendya al-Faltarnis
Scribe
Terrestial and Stellar Cartographer, Apprentice




Say to (BIGCHUM), the King of Taridut, our friend: Thus, Vellyn Lhyrian, the Legate of the Second Seat of Ephia's Well, your friend. For me and my people all goes well. For you, for your wives, for your sons, for your people, your chums, your tents and all lands where you roam, may all go very well.

Let it be known, that our people rejoice. There is the sound of much happiness in the air, for this great victory that we have won together. The people cry out for joy, they sing and dance and make merry in all matter of ways.

But amidst this joyous celebration there is a thing that brings tears to our eyes. Where are our friends, the Big Chums, whom we fought and won a great victory with, and whom we dearly wish to laugh and sing and dance and celebrate alongside?

Many of the children ask me this - Where are the big, rotund bellies, which when slapped in a jovial manner, their shaking brings amusement to all the people such that they smile in glee?

Where are their mounts, who are so mighty and majestic that the land gasps out in excitement with every step?

For this, we cry out - Let us not ask why the Big Chums are not here to celebrate with us, but ask why we are not with the Big Chums! And so we say to you - let us come to you, and we shall bring with us gifts of many animals, and much food, and much drink and all sorts of wonderful things! And therefore let us celebrate together in your home in the manner of friends!

And then we shall give gifts, and dance and sing and eat and drink together in much merriment in the manner of friends, such that all people in all lands would look upon us and know that we are friends, and know that neither of us covets nor desires what the other is not willing to give, nor would they take which was not given, nor grasp covetously to when asked to relinquish what is not theirs, for such is not the way of friends.

Tell the messenger whom delivers these joyful words when and where we should devise to meet, and it shall be done!

Exiled ex-voiced citizens might be fine, it all depends on their history and actions.

I think that exiled accord officers - especially Rose or Janissary would probably not be welcome with open arms, but I can see them carving out the right to stay as a "might makes right" situation provided they aren't wearing their uniform.

Home and the Great Sea Around
When Joriel, Miwindel and Narwen depart
Iyar 1 7783

Herodes Dioatus al-Faltarnis
Faltarnis Spice and Powder
Guldāra


Dear Father,

My studies have taken me from the Grand Academy and the wonders and splendors of Baz'eel out to the backwater of Ephia's Well - a small place with delusions of grandeur.

It is a far thing from the splendor of the Summer Palace that was, of which I have seen etchings and poems extolling its beauty, but a squalid dump where uncouth people spit upon the streets (not that I would call them streets - sand covers most of it) and screech and grandstand upon the bellows all matter of nonsense at all hours of the day. One can scarcely get any rest if they keep their stone chip anywhere near their persons here.

Still, I am excited. It seems there shall be plenty of opportunity to practice and hone my trade to perfection and earn my master's approval. I still await the arrival of my tools which shall arrive with the rest of my luggage.

I have regrettably become embroiled in a bit of drama. There are two falafel chefs on opposite sides of the settlement. Sometimes my sorcery gets away from me, and in this case I have told both of them that I enjoyed their falafel better than the other's.

However, this is a lie.

The woman, Xin Yu, mixes her falafels with meat. Pork.

Mro Po's is the superior falafel.


With the appropriate amount of love,
Your daughter,
Zepha Nesendya al-Faltarnis

My idea - as someone who has played both a Balladeer and a Sister - is this:

Using the Drink can give some nice temporary euphoric related buffs - and it creates a "This Reset Only" token in their inventory that they can later use to "tap into" the existing effects for a burst of inspiration in battle.

This would separate the act of bestowing and partaking of the Drink from the mechanical, combat-oriented effects. There is a dichotomy there, where the players want it to be this sacred, ritual act - and they also want to use it in the middle of battle.

Perhaps the drug penalties could be brought back or upped, but the penalties would be mitigated if they have the "This Reset Only" token in their inventory?

Akemmakhte al-Ipuy
Royal Scribe of the Tomb,
In service to his Royal Highness,
Sultan Osman al-Maribid, Sixth
May the spires sing his praise.

Master,

On the 15th day of Tammuz IY 7789, I arrived in good health and vigor to his royal highness's satrapy, Ephia's Well. After making it through customs using the dinar I had allotted for bribes I proceeded to secure for myself a place of lodging within my current means.

As is the custom, and as a practice recommended in "A Traveler's Guide to Ephia's Well," I then spent the next few hours performing menial tasks for the local folk, thus familiarizing myself with the social dynamics of the Well and ingratiating myself to them.

After that dreadful affair I cleaned myself and presented myself in good fashion to the Scribes of the Sublime Garden and upon presenting my letter of recommendation was integrated into their local ranks.

The settlement is in a mixed state of mourning and celebration after a recent battle, which marks the conclusion of a years-long war against the barbarian clans. From what I have ascertained, the final battles occurred in Bet Nappahi and claimed many lives - and ended with the devastation of much of the place before being consumed by an ash storm of terrible prominence. I lament the date of my arrival, as had I arrived a few days earlier I would have been able to take measurements of that ancient place.

A local archaeologist of some meager repute has announced several expeditions in the coming days. I have attached myself to one of these expeditions to take my measure of both the people and to begin my preliminary cartographic survey. My opinions of them are as follows:

They are crude, brutish, they dig and excavate with the grace of a graverobber, and are prone to stating the most outlandish things about history as if it were uncontested fact. But I cannot fault their efficiency and the speed at which they excavate ruins, even as I lament the damage they do in the process.

While I was doing that, I also took the time to examine the maps of the local cartographers, and my opinions of their works are thus:

The works of the "Torchbearers" describe well the roads and local landmarks. One could sufficiently navigate by them to the cities and locations described upon them, however, there is a lack of details off of the paths. They are well rendered and serve adequately as guides for merchants and travelers.

The works of one "Narwen Alendiel" are a more artistic affair - but I would dread using them for any purpose where accuracy is called for. Landmarks and geography move from map to map, there is no fine consistency in the details. One can get the general idea that there is a canyon ridge somewhere in general relation to another landmark, but where exactly it is remains up to question. Distances expand and contract from map to map - only their relative direction to one another seems to be consistent - and even that is not always true. Still, they are well presented and nice to look upon.


Your apprentice,
Zepha Nesendya al-Faltarnis

PS. Some woman here makes falafels with pork. What manner of barbaric place is this?