The young woman sits at the desk in her room, with a blank letter in front of her and a quill in her hand. After pondering for what seems a long time, she
starts to write:
My friend,
I am assuming you were called away from here by your superiors, and hope that this letter finds you, alive and well. An Ilmatiri priest near Talenbrahg, Father Calen, has very kindly arranged for Father Garen, whom I understand you know, to see that this letter is delivered to you.
With this letter come the warmest greetings of your friends here in Polm. All miss you here, as do I.
She pauses in thought for a moment before continuing:
I am writing to you for another reason too. I want to inform my sisterhood of the situation in and around Polm. I've tried to piece together a more or less complete picture, but so far I have failed. I can't even get an partial view of the whole picture. You have gathered more information on what has been and is happening here than anyone else. I am hoping you can help me.
Below are the pieces of the puzzle that I have gathered so far.
The keystones
It seems likely that these are needed to open the 'gate' that the prophecies mention. Do you know how many there are? Bromm said that it was first thought that there were three, but that it is now thought there are four. I understand we know of one, being taken to the tower in the Barrow Weald. Do we know if it is still there? Do we know anything about the others?
Who is behind it?
It seems likely that there is a single intelligence directing (or trying to direct) all that has been happening, such as the search for the keystones. Rebekah and/or Deliah may be instruments of this intelligence. Or perhaps one of them is that intelligence (Rebekah?). Do you have any ideas about this?
Do you remember Ma'var, the pale mage? He was killed by bugbears. By coincidence I came into possession of his diary. In this, he mentions a conversation with the bandit witch Deliah. She told him that we apparently know nothing of the true threat that faces us. The bandits, Korkal, all are just distractions from this real threat, which is someone called the "Hidden Prince". She told Ma'var that agents of this prince are about, trying to free him.
The elf Elrendir (who I understand you know) suggested that the "Hidden Prince" might refer to the "fallen paladin" mentioned in the prophecy of darkness. Elrendir also mentioned the "Dark Queen", but could tell me little else. Do you have any clues as to this "Hidden Prince" and "Dark Queen"?
The last news (which came from Aedir) is that small groups of bandits have been seen heading towards the Dark Weald. Bromm and Cara have been making plans to capture some of them and find out about why they are doing this.
My own hunch is that all this is somehow connected with this country's history with demons. The opening of the gate and the coming of darkness could refer to a demon incursion. The history of my own country is connected with such a demon incursion that happened in what is now called Impiltur.
Locations
Certain locations around Polm seem to play a crucial role in all this. I remember you wanting to find a way to the bottom of the Rymerift. What role does the rift have? And what part does the monastery play? Cara told me something curious about the monastery that she heard from Aramas. Apparently, years ago a monk from Waterdeep, possibly called Jode or Jude, came to the monastery, bringing the darkness with him that now holds sway over it.
And of course the tower in the Dark Weald seems to be a focal point of the whole situation. The bandits traveling to the Weald is another indication of this.
What are your ideas about all this?
sighs and pauses for a moment before continuing
Well, this is about what I know. As you can see, it is very little. I hope that you can shed some light on it. I will of course relay anything that you can tell me that might help us, to Bromm, Cara and Ashlara.
May the Lord of Tears watch over you.
Yuldra Chergoba
Polm, Impiltur.
folds the pieces of parchment into an envelop and addresses it to Kedeliah Webster, paladin of Ilmater, then seals the envelope
My friend,
I am assuming you were called away from here by your superiors, and hope that this letter finds you, alive and well. An Ilmatiri priest near Talenbrahg, Father Calen, has very kindly arranged for Father Garen, whom I understand you know, to see that this letter is delivered to you.
With this letter come the warmest greetings of your friends here in Polm. All miss you here, as do I.
She pauses in thought for a moment before continuing:
I am writing to you for another reason too. I want to inform my sisterhood of the situation in and around Polm. I've tried to piece together a more or less complete picture, but so far I have failed. I can't even get an partial view of the whole picture. You have gathered more information on what has been and is happening here than anyone else. I am hoping you can help me.
Below are the pieces of the puzzle that I have gathered so far.
The keystones
It seems likely that these are needed to open the 'gate' that the prophecies mention. Do you know how many there are? Bromm said that it was first thought that there were three, but that it is now thought there are four. I understand we know of one, being taken to the tower in the Barrow Weald. Do we know if it is still there? Do we know anything about the others?
Who is behind it?
It seems likely that there is a single intelligence directing (or trying to direct) all that has been happening, such as the search for the keystones. Rebekah and/or Deliah may be instruments of this intelligence. Or perhaps one of them is that intelligence (Rebekah?). Do you have any ideas about this?
Do you remember Ma'var, the pale mage? He was killed by bugbears. By coincidence I came into possession of his diary. In this, he mentions a conversation with the bandit witch Deliah. She told him that we apparently know nothing of the true threat that faces us. The bandits, Korkal, all are just distractions from this real threat, which is someone called the "Hidden Prince". She told Ma'var that agents of this prince are about, trying to free him.
The elf Elrendir (who I understand you know) suggested that the "Hidden Prince" might refer to the "fallen paladin" mentioned in the prophecy of darkness. Elrendir also mentioned the "Dark Queen", but could tell me little else. Do you have any clues as to this "Hidden Prince" and "Dark Queen"?
The last news (which came from Aedir) is that small groups of bandits have been seen heading towards the Dark Weald. Bromm and Cara have been making plans to capture some of them and find out about why they are doing this.
My own hunch is that all this is somehow connected with this country's history with demons. The opening of the gate and the coming of darkness could refer to a demon incursion. The history of my own country is connected with such a demon incursion that happened in what is now called Impiltur.
Locations
Certain locations around Polm seem to play a crucial role in all this. I remember you wanting to find a way to the bottom of the Rymerift. What role does the rift have? And what part does the monastery play? Cara told me something curious about the monastery that she heard from Aramas. Apparently, years ago a monk from Waterdeep, possibly called Jode or Jude, came to the monastery, bringing the darkness with him that now holds sway over it.
And of course the tower in the Dark Weald seems to be a focal point of the whole situation. The bandits traveling to the Weald is another indication of this.
What are your ideas about all this?
sighs and pauses for a moment before continuing
Well, this is about what I know. As you can see, it is very little. I hope that you can shed some light on it. I will of course relay anything that you can tell me that might help us, to Bromm, Cara and Ashlara.
May the Lord of Tears watch over you.
Yuldra Chergoba
Polm, Impiltur.
folds the pieces of parchment into an envelop and addresses it to Kedeliah Webster, paladin of Ilmater, then seals the envelope
