contingency letters

[cellio]

[If Liandra returns but Larissa does not, the presumption is that Liandra will take charge (and Hrolf will talk to her freely). If no one returns after a day, or if some party members do but Liandra and Larissa do not, Hrolf is to take the bundle of letters to Tobin (who should be nearby), and work with Tobin to sort it all out from there. Tobin has the ability to speak with animals, so he and Hrolf can discuss things.]

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Dear Tobin,

If you are reading this, then something has gone wrong with our attack on Garrett. I am sending my familiar, Hrolf, to you in hopes that the two of you can take care of some matters for me.

On February 28 we will attempt to teleport from the sanctum to Garrett's stronghold. Our plan is to attack Garrett, hopefully killing him, and recover the dagger Weeping Wounds. Hrolf is to wait until the next day and then deliver this letter if Liandra and I have not returned.

It is possible that some people will return but that I am dead. If they have my body and have not done so already, please get me raised. I will find some way to pay for it; I promise. Boniface in Kozel'sk ought to be able to help you; he knows me. If it is not possible to raise me, please see that I get a proper funeral. It would be nice to be buried in Shepford, my home town, but Shepford is far away and I will understand if this is not possible. If Liandra and I are both dead, I ask that you also care for Hrolf if this is his will, or let him go if that is his will.

I apologize for the interference all this may cause in your duties to the army, and I hope that Captain Jorvik will grant you a temporary leave long enough to see to either my raising or my funeral. If he will not, please do what you can to contact someone else who can arrange this. If Liandra is alive and not ill I trust that she will do this; I am sending this letter to you in case she is not. Most of the other members of our party are likewise trustworthy, but do not rely on Prolix. He's not evil, just self-centered and sometimes stupid.

I am including, with this letter, letters of introduction for you to Seamus, Anarian, and Lord Marius, in case you need them. Hrolf is also carrying other letters to be delivered; please talk with him about how to get them delivered most expediently. I understand that you can summon birds to carry messages, so it is my hope that Hrolf will not have to deliver all of them personally.

I am sorry that we failed Agondre and possibly provoked Garrett. I am sorry, on a personal level, that you and I did not get to work together more. You are a dedicated, brave, and wise servant of Pelor, and you make me proud to have known you. May the light of Pelor be ever with you, even in these dark times.

Larissa

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[Hrolf knows that I left one of Marius' birds behind in the sanctum.]

Lord Marius,

500 years ago, Garrett acquired Weeping Wounds and stabbed the dragon Agondre with it, causing the Cataclysm. Renard (of legend) somehow acquired the dagger and, with Agonadryl, initiated a ritual to keep things under control. It's a treatment, not a cure. Some months ago, Garrett (now a vampire) returned to Cardior, captured the dagger, and stabbed Emperor Damoskenes, killing him slowly by disease and causing the current troubles.

We believe Garrett is in the land to the north of Cardior -- the "capital", using the arcane geography, and near the center. We have gone to confront him. If you are reading this, we failed.

If any of us were turned into vampires, it is essential that we be killed before we do damage under Garrett's command. I assume you have wizards available who can learn our fates. Needless to say, Garrett must also be killed, else even if you get the dagger he will come after it again. The dagger is very dangerous, as we have discussed.

The emperor's sanctum contains information about how to restart the ritual. You will need Weeping Wounds and an emperor. Seamus, the bard of Oakhame, has further information that might be helpful to you. I also commend to you Tobin, a cleric of Pelor, and Karameikos, a warrior, both currently serving in the army of Captain Jorvik. Both of them have visited the emperor's sanctum with us.

Colm, the merchant who introduced our group to Duke Leopold (and indirectly to you) has established a tavern in Covanion called the Rearing Dragon. I am told it tends to attract adventurers such as us. You might find your vampire-hunters there.

Larissa

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[The letters to Seamus and Anarian are nearly identical. Here's one:]

Dear Seamus,

On February 28 we set out to kill Garrett and retrieve Weeping Wounds. If you are reading this, we failed. You already know most of what we know -- Garrett is scryable and has a dark throne room, presumably in the center of the capital region. He spends much of his time fondling Weeping Wounds. We do not know what minions he has. He stabbed Agondre 500 years ago, and more recently killed the emperor. In order to set things right we need (1) Weeping Wounds and (2) an emperor who will assume Agondre's sickness; the inhabitants of the emperor's sanctum can instruct you in the ritual if it becomes possible.

It is possible that Garrett has turned some of us into vampires. If this is so, it is essential that we be killed before we do damage under Garrett's command. Needless to say, Garrett must also be killed, else even if you get the dagger he will come after it again. I am sorry that we failed in this. I hope you are able to save the land. I also sent word to Lord Marius and Anarian about this.

If a rat-kin cleric named Tobin seeks you out, please welcome him. He is a friend to me and to Pelor.

Thank you for all your research help, your hospitality, and your kindness to us.

Larissa

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Dear Brion,

May the blessing of Pelor be upon you.

I have recently met Tobin again. He has matured greatly in his strength, faith, and skill! You should be proud of him. He is a remarkable man, now serving as a healer in the army near Cardior.

We have learned much about the troubles in the land. While I have not in the past trusted a detailed accounting to conventional messengers, for fear that word would reach those responsible, that risk no longer applies. You need to know what is going on.

You may have heard legends from centuries ago about the events of the first cataclysm. What the legends do not record is that the cataclysm was set in motion by one of those ancient so-called heroes, a man named Garrett, who stabbed the dragon Agondre with the dagger Weeping Wounds. This dagger causes wounds that do not heal, and it did grievous damage to the land. What stopped it, at least for a time, was a periodic healing ritual involving the emperor, the dagger (which was captured from Garrett at the time), and the dragon.

Several months ago, Garrett -- now a vampire! -- returned to Cardior, reclaimed Weeping Wounds from the priests of Agondre who oversaw this ritual, stabbed Emperor Damoskenes, and fled. With the dagger gone the ritual could not continue, and now Agondre is in a great deal of pain. With the emperor dead, things have gotten even worse. The land will continue to sicken until there is a new emperor and the ritual is resumed -- which requires capturing Weeping Wounds from Garrett.

We have seen the dragon Agondre, first in a shared dream and then face to face, and I at least am bound to right this wrong. Agondre has given me a holy weapon, a sword named Sunrise, and the instincts and skills to use it. This is, apparently, what Pelor had fated for me when you wrote a couple months ago. I am sure that you understand the gravity of this obligation.

At the end of February we set out to vanquish Garrett and capture the dagger. If you are reading this, we have failed and I am probably dead. I ask that you say the proper prayers for me so that I might enter the brilliant presence of Pelor in the next world. If, however, I have succumbed to Garrett's vampiric touch, I hope that you will do what you can to ensure that I am killed before I do damage. The thought of being conscripted into such vile service sickens me.

Please do what you can to comfort my family. I fear that they will not understand why I have done this; you are in a better position than I to judge how best to console them. I am sorry that I was not able to return to you in person, and I am sorry that I have failed Agondre. I hope that others will follow us and be successful, ending the cataclysm and restoring the land, the empire, and the dragon. For this I pray.

May Pelor's light be always with you, even in these dark days,

Larissa

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Hey Colm!

I trust that all is well with you and the Rearing Dragon. I hope that business is good and that you have attracted many strong and hearty people. The empire needs them.

Relax; this isn't a military conscription, though I would not be surprised to learn that this is happening too. I have been to Cardior and seen the armies massed there. The war, however, is quite unconventional, because there is a greater enemy that unites the warring duchies.

We have learned the cause of the cataclysm, both the ancient one and the current revival. In order to set things right, we must vanquish a vampire and recover a very dangerous dagger that he carries. This dagger is the key to restoring the health of the land. Lord Marius knows all the details and may pay a visit to your tavern.

Our group has set off in pursuit of this weapon, but if you are reading this then we have failed and are possibly all dead. I am sorry to send you such bad news and wish it were not so, but you deserve to know our fate. If you can help Lord Marius find people to accomplish what we could not and right this wrong, I'd sure appreciate it. In the meantime, watch out for monsters and store as much food as you can.

Larissa

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Dear Mom and Dad,

This is a difficult letter for me to write.

I have changed quite a bit in the months since I left Shepford. While I know that we did not agree about that decision, and that I did not marry when you wanted me to, I believe that I made the right decision. I only regret that it has caused you difficulty, and for this I apologize.

You have probably heard stories of the strange events happening throughout the land. It is not just caverns opening beneath Shepford; such things are happening all over the empire. The land itself is sick, and we have set out to heal it. In this we have had much help -- from the druids, from the elves, and from other benefactors. We have made good progress, and we now know what the cause of the problem is and how to fix it.

Unfortunately, fixing it is difficult, and requires fighting some very dangerous enemies. As I write this we are about to set off for the most dangerous enemy we have seen thus far. I fear that we might not succeed, and that some of us will die. If you are reading this letter, then things have not gone well and I have probably met an unfortunate end.

I am sorry. I am sorry that you have to suffer through the death of a child, and I am sorry that I was not able to say goodbye in person. I am sorry that you have not been able to see the person I have become; I think you would be proud. I have grown in strength and, more importantly, in faith and purpose. This mission, to try to restore the land, is clearly right for me, even at the risk of my life. I hope that you are able to understand that.

Please forgive me, and please remember me with favor.

Love,
Larissa