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[Scribe Celybuin Hu'nalyw]

Scribe Celybuin Hu'nalyw

It was with great delight that I received your letter, and it is only with the deepest of regrets that I must write this response.

I fear that arranging such an accord shall not be possible. At the direct request and demand of the sitting Legates, wishing that such properties are exclusively used for business and not personal ownership, the property lease is now held by a local Clockmaker, as his 'Clock Workshop'.

Perhaps the good Legate may find renting an Office within the Palm Heights suitable for the occasion.

With best wishes and kind regards,

Nasreen Shabani

[Galen]

[A small grimoire, kept on the Ashfolk Legate's person, a small rune etched onto the cover holding it closed against idle perusal by others, as it is stored next to a similiar sized tome of spellcraft]

It has been suggested to me, that for the sake of histories, I record a chronicle of my time as Legate of the Well. I believe I shall take the advice, and record my true thoughts; when the time comes to make a public copy, I shall review and sanitize it appropriately. And if, as these dreams of late foretell, I am to be assassinated for my actions, then let those who come after know why I have done as I have. As I have felt I must.

My time in Ephia's Well will shortly approach a year in duration. It has been over a year now since my life was sundered, and desperate to escape the comfortable but oh so familiar sights of glorious Ba'zeel, I left, travelling to Ephia's Well. I do not know what I expected; to be another widow lost amongst the refugees, perhaps? I knew only that I could not stay, that if I did, I would wither with the loss, and join him. Even now, looking upon the model of Baz'eel in the Terrace's Chamber of War, I felt the pull, felt the ennui call once more.

Perhaps the Well was a poor choice. It is a place of violence, of desperation, of raised and raw emotions scraping against one another. It has brought so many emotions, some I will cherish, and some I loathe. So many that I loathe.

I keep caring for many here, and they die. Galen, I think was the first heavy blow. I knew he was not perfect, but I still cared for him so; a child growing past his mistakes, and before he could find that step to true redemption before the Wheel, a petty assassin killed him. They think I am ignorant of what he did. But he was changing, and if a soul can find damnation, it can find redemption. And he was so close to reaching out of the darkness, and I loved him for it, as I would any of my children striving to fix a mistake. And then that self rightous witch, Azimi mocked him for deserving such a fate. I think she may be the first person I've truly loathed, that has stirred worship of the Wroth within these weary bones. Her absence has been a blessing, one stripped from the goodly people of the Well by her return. Even Cosine called her evil, but still he grovels and turns to her. [A large splotch of ink stains the page here, as if a quill was held in place at the last period for a time]

There have been other losses, so many other losses, since then. Boucher, the Janissary rescued from Banafsi with Reyer, who I fear in my weaker moments, went to his death as a hero, when he may have survived otherwise, because of things I told him, as he expressed regret and concern over his past. Boops Margo, who has vanished, after reforming herself from a delightful young woman to a serious politician at the critique of others. Even Pauvera, who fell in a battle led by Marcellus just days past. But I find myself not connecting to these new arrivals as closely as I did a year past. I doubt Pauvera even knew the comfort and enjoyment I found in our brief interactions. I must ask myself, do I protect myself by not extending my care so easily, or is it that the well grows empty, and I do not have it in me to care for them? Am I spent, unable to even make friends, now?

I thought Akna was different. Someone I could form a friendship with, then the terrible business Jordan (another I thought I could trust...) initiated and unveiled thrust Akna into a poor position, then into the seat of Legate. And those blossoms of friendship seemed to recede, as we met as co-Legates, both unelected. I thought perhaps they could resume, once our business in governance was done, but the betrayal at the first assembly crushed those blossoms under her foot; hearing her try to throw all blame upon me hurt, I admit.

But I have drifted away from the topic at hand. Like lancing a wound, that which was festering has poured forth.

In my time here, I have never hidden my fondness for the Legions, and done what I could to support the Fourth. It is perhaps ironic that the greatest issue, and likely what I will be condemned and remembered for as Legate will be protecting them; Qadira.

Hunting assassins that struck and killed Zain on the sands before the Well itself, the Fourth followed rumors that they were hiding in Qadira, and ventured there. They were told to not start any fights, and only speak, and with those terms accepted, they went and spoke to the assassins. But when they were leaving, they were attacked, but thanks to the intervention of a Qadiran enforcer, Sergeant Ashworth survived, and they returned with one of their assailants subdued. He pled guilty, and faced the Wroth's justice. But Qadira, scenting a chance wealth without having to earn it, demanded a hundred thousand for the offenses given. The 'offenses given'. As though they were the ones wronged! Our people, MY people went to fulfill their duty, and held themselves to their hosts restrictions. It is clear, beyond any doubt that it was Qadira that failed us here. Visitors to their city, abiding their rules, attacked by those they sheltered. Reperations are due, and they owe us for their abject failure.

What choice did I have? If I yielded to their demands, I would disgrace the Fourth, Ephia's Well, and Baz'eel itself. But here I did not comprehend the outlanders correctly, and if I had considered it, I should have. To so many of them, even those that have been with the Well since its reclaiming a decade ago, they look around at the powers, such as Qadira-on-the-Sea, and think they are Institutions, their state a fact of life, and not easily changed. They look at Qadira, and see a pirate cove, well established and settled in its ways. I look at Qadira, and think of how it was when I was the age of these outlanders; Baz'eel's port to the sea. The Maharaja's treason and betrayal of the Sultan is not ancient history, but a recent and ongoing failing rebellion. To so many of them, it is as if there is a clear division. What they saw over the last few years is current, all else ancient history, and not relevant. I failed to account for this, and so I think so many of them cannot understand my stance.

I don't wish the chaos and violence of war, but it comes for us regardless. Qadira is holding a blade to our throat, gleefully trying to hold us hostage due to the Clan's announcement of war. If they only knew how close it comes to seizing them to prevent this threat from ever reoccurring, and that their provocations do them little when they sent nothing to us after promising at Kardesler. It seems their Maharaja makes many oaths he does not keep to the Sultan.

I never asked for the position, as Legate or Prelate. It has been others recommendations that I become Prelate, and perhaps it is conditioning from a life married to, and raising those that serve our Sultan, but when I am called to duty, I cannot easily decline. And now I sit as Legate, because Gausim left, and found the relief of pressure enough to avoid returning. I will do my duty, even if it calls for unpopular decisions. And now that I am in the position people asked me to take, they tell me I should retire, to make things easier for them. I expect, if I follow through on doing my duty, I will risk assassination, and I fear it will come from those that have encouraged me to run for the position in the past. In my time here, I have often found myself playing peacemaker, and being agreeable, but now that I am representing authority, I don't get that option. Any weakness I present is harm done to the Well I call home now. I simply wish that the people I want to help weren't opposing me over being able to take credit for it.

I shall end this entry for now. I fear I ramble, and will need to purge most of this to make any published memoir of my time and decisions, but it has been theraputic. I simply wish I did not feel so utterly alone, these days.

[Contents PMed]

Student Gloamingdaith,

Your work is well received, with great thanks for the prompt delivery.

I have no changes or updates in content to suggest, however I will bring your attention to the Qadira-On-The-Sea section, and suggest that the spelling of Warad be corrected from 'Ward' in the second paragraph.

With regards,

Legate Nasreen Shabani
First Seat, Purple League

[A missive, delivered to the Gamemaster Hamzir Atazid, located at the Stadium of Ephia's Well]

Honored Master of the Stadium of Ephia's Well,

Knowing you are kept busy with your duties, I shall keep this request brief.

For the past few months, it has been my pleasure to arrange a set of sporting Games for the populace. Whilst establishing it, we have taken to using the empty space beyond the Sand Gate as a venue, but naturally, the Stadium comes to mind as a more ideal venue with which to see this hosted, depending upon availability of facilities and equipment.

Would the stadium be currently available for Voiced citizens to make use of the facilities, and if so, what costs and requirements will be involved?  As I hope the record has proven, my intent is to see these competitions held regularly.

At minimum, what is sought is permission and access to use the space, hosting rounds of small team duels and combat. However, if such is of interest to yourself and those involved in the arena, I would be most eager to speak of establishing a more involved set of rules for this nascent sports league.


Live and Drink,

Prelate Nasreen Shabani,
Palm Heights District

[A missive, delivered to the Gamemaster Hamzir Atazid, located at the Stadium of Ephia's Well]

Honored Master of the Arena of Ephia's Well,

Knowing you are kept busy with your duties, I shall keep this request brief.

It is my intent to arrange for a set of twice monthly competitions between small (2-4) sized teams. Naturally, the Stadium comes to mind as the ideal venue with which to see this hosted, depending upon availability of facilities and equipment.

Is the arena currently available for Voiced citizens make use of the facilities, and if so, what costs and requirements will be involved?  As stated, it is my intent to see these competitions held regularly.

At minimum, all that would be sought is permission and access to use the space, hosting rounds of small team duels and combat. However, if such is of interest to yourself and those involved in the arena, I would be most eager to speak of establishing a more involved set of rules for this nascent sports league.


Live and Drink,

Nasreen Shabani,
Palm Heights District

[Force]

I'd suggest adding Force, to move things off of the 'Magic' damage category, and saving that just for when unavoidable damage needs to be applied.

Force
Magic Missile
Issac's Lesser Missile Storm
Isaac's Greater Missile Storm
The various Bigby's spells
Devastating Body Swap
Disintegrate
Gravity



As well, the Energy Blast spell might need updating to have new types. And the Orb spells might benefit from being made one spell with subspells, ala Enhance Ability "Elemental Orb"

[A transcript of a sermon upon the Palm Heights]

There is a parable, told in Baz'eel, of Aghil Al-Amin, on the nature of wandering.

Aghil, a most wealthy philospher, was known to travel all the known land, venturing beyond the old Ring Walls and back.

At a gathering of philosophers and nobles of Baz'eel, Aghil was heard to brag, that he had visited every city and village this side of the mountains.

"And what was the path like" His adoring public asked, and Aghil frowned.

"I am not sure. I spent the trip within my curtained palanquin, and my bearers walked most smoothly"

After that, the crowd lost interest, and Aghil grew irate, and left Baz'eel that day, walking the roads to Qa'im, the first such trip he made upon his own feet.

Tired and spent, the philospher spent the next day at the Summer Palace, walking among the great art collections of that now lost place, returning home to Baz'eel the day after.

"I have walked the road to Qa'im, my friends" he told the gathering. There, they mostly nodded, for few could afford to be carried, and had walked that road many times.

"And while there, I saw every single piece of Art within the Palace." This new declaration drew attention.

"And which piece was your favorite? What great emotions did they bring forth?" They asked.

"I am not sure" Aghil frowned, "I was most tired, and had to hurry to see every piece. I could not linger to examine them" And his crowd was lost again, as they discussed their favorites of the gathered art pieces.

Irate once more, Aghil left Baz'eel once more; this time without purpose, but to arrange his thoughts. And there, he met a great tortoise.

"Why were they not impressed?" He asked of it. "I have been to more places than all of them. I have seen every piece of art that a thousand collectors could spend a lifetime studying! Why did I bother wandering, then!"

The tortoise shook its head, taking its time to eat of the verdant grass around them.

"You're right" Aghil told the tortoise. "Why DID I wander? To impress those that didn't travel with me?" And the pair were silent, as the philospher thought, and thought. And then, returned to his home in Baz'eel.

Aghil Al-Amin never left Baz'eel again, after that. Instead, he took to him home, and looked, truly and deeply for the first time. He explored not new locales, but the most familiar one, and yet, the one he never knew.

These days, paintings by Master Al-Amin are considered priceless masterworks; Only fifty works, each of a different building in Baz'eel. Rendered so truly as to reflect the time of their painter.

And so Warad calls to us; to seek depth in our travels. To know our land to its bones, and not the shallowest sweeping of sand. To travel for your own sake, and not the call of others.

I call on you, to reflect upon your own Journey, and its reasons. Consider where it has brought you, and if it fulfills you.

[commendation]

[A letter sent to Colmes, on fine parchment, sealed with an elaborate green wax seal, mixed with gold dust]

Lieutenant Rennick Colmes,
Legionnaire of our Holy Sultan Osman the VI's Fourth Legion,
Ephia's Well


Lieutenant,

I write to you this night with words of praise and commendation for a Janissary under your command.

Soldier Adu Lar has exemplified the traits looked for in the Legions; at no time has this stonefolk been found lacking in professionalism nor ability.

From the time of arrival, even before taking upon the Fourth's uniform, Adu Lar has stepped forward to provide service and security to those in the Well.

The Soldier's familiarity with the Sultan's Legions and drive to prove capable have impressed myself, and my fellow citizens of Baz'eel when we have discussed him.

On patrol, standing guard in trials, or serving as the Legate's guard in the Chamber of Rule, Adu Lar's potential shines as if a gemstone; it is our hope that you will see this soldier polished and made able to live to the potential shown.

No reply is requested nor required.

Yours in service to the Sultan, long may His wisdom reign.

Nasreen Shabani
Daughter of Glittering Baz'eel
Rightful Keeper of the Celestial Codex,
Voiced of Ephia's Well