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His Royal Highness, Prince of Qadira, Sir A. Namahedu,

It is with anguish that I must caution you about the Dwarf named Gedwyr.
You've shown him affinity and despite that, he slighted your Court and your Father the Maharajah.

Yesterday a Raja guard commissioned us to locate a Qadira convoy carrying precious cargo. The company was about twelve individuals including yours truly, Osric, the Cupbearer and Gedwyr.

Whilst traversing the dune towards the Windblown Camp, I spoke fondly of your Highness, the Court and Qadira and Gedwyr said something most disgracious that I dare not repeat in defiance to your excellence. I called him out on it, calling him uncouth and he spoke physical threats in return. The upstart barbarian!

When I asked Osric a moment aside and gave keen advice to watch the Dwarf in case of violence. The Dwarf grew deadly afraid at the sight of us speaking with hushed words. As result, he rescinded his aid and instructed others, with success, to do the same and defy you, your Court and your Father the Maharajah.

You know my talent for diplomacy but it is impossible to reason with arbitrary and irrational barbarians, we should be glad my testing of the man exposed his corrupted nature before he was able to cause real harm.


I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant,

High Merchant Nathaniel Blackvale

[The previous message dissapeared forever.]

Helped set the tone of the setting to a great extend. Good job!

A fantastic manevoure mane manoeuvre by the legend that is me.
^Yet another

The cold arrogance at display with these deadinside politicians is so infuriating. They clearly thought I was a god damned idiot. Jokes on them. Coin equals power! Outside their little talking circles... There are many men that would do anything for coin! It's not my goal to look good in the eyes of these horrible people. It's my goal to take all of the dinar!! As much as possible! And that's why it is a success despite the facts. All I do is win.

Enough about that. More importantly, I have had a day of entertainment for once. Yes. I have shot a rare and noble beast right through the head. It was GLORIOUS. It was a shot like no other. From a distance! It is said that the King and nobles of old were great hunters. I can count myself amongst them now.

That Royal Ookapi stood no chance against my skill. I think I will hunt more of them. Maybe I could attempt it without Osric and Iskandar holding the animal down this time. But... Well, then it becomes a hassle.

[am]

I'm covered in grime! I'm covered in sand! I'm covered in blood! SOME OF IT MY OWN!!!
All day, every day, I'm DRAGGED into the desert by FORCE!

I am a NOBLE MAN and I deserve a retinue. Why am I shooting my bow at Goblins?
GOBLINS?

This is all incredibly below me!! But the Prince encourages me to push on and become a worthy reaver.
Perhaps following tail of a PIRATE wasn't the brightest idea on the Disc.

HOWEVER... I am gaining COIN and PRESTIGE. So long as nobody notices the stains, the blood and the smell the horrendous smell...


Maybe I can cheat my way out.

It appears the prestige granted by my title is rather low at the moment. For the Court grows and everyone is granted an exaggarated title. It devalues what I have! For a day, I was the Prince's wisest advisor. Now there's this highly clever, highly competent, "Dragon" or "Wyrm of Avarice"... He's going to steal ALL the attention that should rightfully go to me. And this DWARF? What a DWARF? He called me a suckup and a toadie. For speaking to a Prince with refined speech and dignity. The Prince did not regard me as such, but did say that false compliments aren't necessary. I agree with that wholeheartedly royal prince! Excellently well put. Superb.

The Ephian diplomats and advisors are trying to diminish the Prince's reach and reputation and currently they are succeeding at that. It would be a mark of competence and something I could respect, if it wasn't for the fact that they are cutting off their own legs. Isn't it obvious that the embargo hurts them alot? They're being dismissive about it. Why? Pride? All they need to do is play to the Prince's wants and needs and please him to a point he drops his ludicrous demand and offer an acceptable alternative. Then, relations could be mended, the embargo can be lifted without loss of reputation on Qadira's end.

See I am much more adept at this than any of those blunderers. I would've solved Ephia's Well's crisis and forged alliance with Qadira with a snap of my fingers. Simple! Maybe I'll offer them some advice. Play abit of both sides. All I need to forge is a reputation, then I could perhaps sway with the winds. Who knows what direction it'll blow? As long as nothing violent happens, I think this is great for my reputation and business.

I pray Agaslakku gazes elsewhere because the last thing I need to happen is for this Prince or the Court to turn to violence and get me executed for treason or anything like that!! Please not. Please.

[The journal of Nathaniel lays privately hidden.]



NATHANIEL BLACKVALE

This book exists for me to process my thoughts. I feel clarity after I've written my thoughts, they become easier to memorise. Furthermore, it is a great way to process my emotions. I don't reckon I'll have many earnest friends in this path I've set foot on. Even if I felt I did, I'm convinced they'd fall victim to lures and spill all my beans. So I've none to count on and none to speak my genuine thoughts to.

Ephia's Well is a viper nest. It lacks the larger than life figures I've met in the wastes and in the other cities I've (briefly) visited. These are killers, hardened politicians, snakes. The Prince of Qadira appears not the same, he's driven by emotion and ambition. I'm not saying it's the best course to make it across the sea, but I am saying it makes for a far more entertaining life. He has a soul. I don't know if I could say the same for most others. Still, it's early, perhaps too early, for me to judge Ephians so. But first impressions stick a while.

What I find most odd is my ability to remain this harmonious despite my most sudden entrance onto the political landscape and being given a prestigious title as ''High Merchant''. Even the Vizier of Ephia's Well addressed me as thus, obviously to please the Prince and not I, but still... Not. Too. Shabby.

Unbelievable, some fat sergeant called Samton or some other run of the mill boring name has it out for me. Making fun of how I salute and when he told me to drop twenty and I dropped the coin, it made him upset. I knew there'd be characters like this in the Fourth. I must not lower myself to their standards. They see me as a dredge!

Luckily a very small Soldier was put in charge of me now. He even uses a bow hahah! Totally weak. He'll be easy to impress. A flourish here and there and he'll put me in uniform. Finally I'll have what I want. Status, authority and wage!

SIEGFRIED WOLFHARD

In my homeland of golden hills and verdant grasslands with pine trees scattered throughout I was a LEGEND.
Every village maiden knew the name Wolfhard. As did every Noble across the Kingdoms. I have dreamt of my homeland many times and I know this to be true.

My impeccable combat prowess, charming moustache, swift steps through the sands...
Sharp and pointy rapier, one hand on my back, focused eyes...
The predator's look at my opponent...
A confident inspiring wink at my closest ally... the hopeful tear that flows from their eye...

There is nothing I can do wrong.

This desolate wasteland I have awakened in...
They ask of the Wolfhard, are you ready?

I ask thee.

Are you?

Soldier Dadys,

thank you for your kind words and I commend your sharp eyes for witnessing my potentional for greatness.

When we next meet I will without error carry out your orders.

Attached to this brief letter are a couple of letters of recommendation some locals wrote on their own volition. I know it probably doesn't mean much, but they begged me to forward it to my superior.

Recruit (for how long?) Siegfried Wolfhard

Please bring back the Fencing fighting style because it is perfect for the Fencer class

DIO, SOLDIER

You gave me the order to keep my eyes peeled for new arrivals.
Here's today's report on suspicious individuals:

OSRICK LOCKE, OLD

Old man that still knows how to fight. Should be a hunchback by his age. Strength seems unnatural. Pretty sure he's using a carriage load of narcotics to achieve his feats.

ISKANDAR, SCREAMING

Some Agaslakku worshipping bard that sings about violence. However I personally witnessed him get taken down by a couple of small snakes. Deliberately sabotaging Agaslakku's reputation. Haven't figured out a motive.

TRISTAN AVORRA, NEW

Some run of the mill fighter. He is so unnoticable and bland that it became noticeable. Possibly an agent of foreign government or Djinn courts.

PEPPEROTE, DRUNK

A Halfling jester, drunk during battle. Behaves like a Gnome. Very annoying. We must be wary she doesn't disturb any public ceremonies.


Signed,

SIEGFRIED, SCARAB

i barely ever interacted but from afar, from an outside perspective, it was still engaging and fun to hear and read about what he did or encountered, very immersive and cool pc good job

Detect evil is a dweeb mechanic but imagine if everyone has access to Paladin but end up helping evil characters with the excuse they ''didn't know''. That will also cause some priceless dweeb situations and perhaps steer Paladin into becoming app-only.

sorry for murder, I think Xon was one of the dopest PC's that are around