In the town of Ironspur, Damara there is a small house once occupied by a family. A few years ago the family disappeared, but letters continued to arrive for some months. These are their contents:

13 Tarsakh, 1371 Office of the Ironspur Guardians

Peasant Initiate Malchenko:

We hereby inform you that you have been rejected for promotion to the rank of Peasant Defender. You have been deemed unfit for the reason of lacking a proper background (skills and training). This constitutes the third time that you have failed to receive promotion. We require you continue to pledge your services to the Town Guard at your current rank with another possible promotion in 1 year. In addition, you will be fined 5 roubles per tenday for your poor evaluation.

By authorization of,

Guardian L. Potemkin

14 Tarsahk, 1371

Dearest Grisha,

They have taken your father away again. You have both left me now. He was doing so well, and hadn't reached for the bottle in over a tenday. He earned some coin by selling eggs from the hens. He went to pay off debt to the barman, and then I did not hear or see him for two days. Eliska Bornova said they found him sleeping in her pig trough. I do not know what we have done to her family that she would spread such lying words. More corrupt guards again, I am certain. I wonder what they are accusing of him this time.

I am getting old, Grisha, too old to be alone. You and Anya can come back, come home and live with me. Tend to the house and farm. Till the land and plant the field. A few goats yet remain. Give up your foolish fantasy of joining the Guard. Do not forget all of the trouble they were causing us.

And what of Anya? Three years and she has not yet bore child. You have many fields to tend to, Grisha. You may think you can do better far from us, but you are always tied to us, tied to your past. You running away only causes hurt. Do not be so selfish. What if I have an accident here by myself? Come home Grisha.

Lovingly,

Mamka

A single sheet of parchment bearing no envelope or markings. The note is folded once and inside is a single Damarran wildflower resembling a daisy.

To the one I love so,

My dearest Grisha, long have I waited at home for you to return. Some might think these mere hours that we have been apart, but even a minute without you feels like an age of the elves. I pen this note dreaming of your strong jaw, steely eyes, and strong but tender hands, while praying I need not dream for long.

I would elope with you again one thousand times across Faerun, so that we may never be apart again. But where in the world should we go? To embrace in mist as we look out at the Moonsea; to stroll through the alleys exploring Waterdeep; to climb past the dwarven halls and peer out from mountaintop. All of these things call, and what adventure they might hold, but yet they are not my heart's true desire.

All I wish is to have you here in my arms, and that I might never release you. To live all our days in this house, rooted to the ground and rapt in sweet embrace. Our love eternal, our souls entwined, we will never truly be apart.

Two letters seemed to have arrived at the same time, although the date on the first was scratched out.

The first, a crude sheet of parchment written by an amateur scribe, and tucked into an envelope reeking of gin.

22 Tarsahk

Grigorii,

Why have you not yet come to pay my fine and free me from this place. You were always slow. Lucky you are that I am in here, and not out there to speed you up. What would your mother say of this? Her son not helping his own father. You break her heart you know, pursuing your foolish dreams. You leave us for what? A stupid tramp and a worthless job.

It is your corrupt guard friends that got me in here. They have never liked us and spread lies to shame the family. I would think you had figured that out by now. Maybe you fail at work, and now they try to punish me too for your mistakes. It would not be surprise, I could never keep you in line.

Don't let them keep me here. You must send the gold to pay the fine. I know, send it to the barmaid, Ilya, she will take care of things. That would do, just a little to keep your old father sane. Do not tell your mother about it though, I will be home soon and she will just worry.

The second a card of heavier parchment marked with the official seal of the Ironspur Guardians.

22 Tarsahk, 1371

G. Malchenko,

This letter is to inform you that _Dmytriv Malchenko_ was released on _19 Tarsahk_, when the fine of _25 rouble_ was paid by _his wife_. This information is dispensed to you as he listed your name on the arrest file. Do with it as you wish.

~Office of the Guardians~

On the same card written beneath the form letter.

Intiate Malchenko,

You would do better not to associate with low lifes and criminals. Your personal involvement in this matter has been included in your file. Remember, to become a Guardian, you must have a record stating only commendations for one full year. Feel free to mark this date on the wall, so you will not forget it.

G.L.P.

A balled up sheet of parchment at the bottom of the pile bears the following message.

By Order of the Guardian Commander,

Gather arms peasant Initiates, you are called upon to defend the Crown.

Initiates are to report at once to the Southern gate. The Guard marches out to meet the bandit army. They move north after crossing the Bloodstone Pass from despised Vaasa. We will divert their attention from the farms and toward the fortifications of the city. Further instructions will be given by your Officers at the gate. The notice is stamped with a blue seal depicting a dragon's head.

----------------------

Crudely scribed on the back of the notice, the following can be made out. There are splotches where the ink has run.

My Hanna,

I must leave at once to defend the city. Fear not we are strong and able. All I am regretting is that I must go without even a single kiss. I will remember our last and be dreaming of our next.

All my love, Grigorii