Daoud Al-Maaz

[Moonlighter]

A sealed missive finds it's way to Daous Al-Maaz. It is stained with wine and lightly perfumed and written in steady, legible cursive.

Investigator,

I fear the die has been cast on this one. With the voting began, my own efforts are called off here. Out of my hands now to do anything about any of this now.

I'll still pay you for the digging you've done, of course. Some of the insight you lent me helped lead me right to the bottom of all of this, despite everything.

My thanks are especially due for that. I nearly marched, gallantly, right into a pit of quicksand.

I'll make the coded bellows you've asked for whenever I have payment ready for you.

Meet where we spoke last.

Lynneth

[Daoud al-Maaz]

A letter returned in sealed envelop. The first page is a simple note, wrapped around a second sealed envelope.

Balladeer Lynneth,

The illumination of truth was requested. Bountiful dinar changed hands. The investigation was set in motion. It would be dishonorable if not seen through. You may do with the results as you see fit, of course.

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Please note that all times are listed in my accustomed Central Baz'eeli time. Variances may be documented by others with foreign methods of timekeeping. One can only imagine how an elf may count their days and hours.

Tammuz 7, 3:54 pm
Bannafsian diplomats call for Sol Auk and Lynneth. They specifically exclude Sephidra because the diplomat came to demand she not be allowed to become Legate. They further demand that the Legate who is selected would extradite Sephidra.
Lynneth is rejected from the meeting because she had a companion, Kythaela the Lion. Kythaela was one of the mercenaries who accompanied the Torchbearers when they went to Banafsi. The Archon was offended by Kythaela's presence, still mad about the Torchbearers bringing a djinn to their land.

Estellise and Mae Stern, both of the Astronomers, were present. It is reported that a Jannisary was also present at a distance, potentially Soldier Joachim Sathuul. Estellise reported witnessing a quiet conversation with the Banafsi diplomat woman and Sol Auk, with Sol Auk then being given 15,000 dinar after. Estellise reported that a diplomat from Kha'esh, overheard Sephidra's name being mentioned several times by Sol and the Archon.

When questioned  by Inspector on Tammuz 13, Sol Auk confirmed the terms of the agreement to be preventing Sephidra from securing the Legate seat, and to extradite her once he himself secures the seat. He agreed to the Banafsi diplomat's terms and accepted 15,000 dinar. There was no investigation or negotiation on his part prior to agreement. Sol Auk states that he agreed to the terms, 'with one-eight the full story' regarding the Torchbearers and the djinn. Sol Auk implies that had he known the full story, he may not have so readily agreed. This does not change the fact that Sol Auk energetically agreed to the demands which undermine orderly government proceedings.

Tammuz 7, 4:23 pm
Less than half an hour after meeting with the Banafsi diplomat, Sol Auk uses the Bellows to thank Archon Lymaneus of Banafsi for their donation. Sol states that he 'brokered and improved foreign relations.' He again expresses pride and enthusiasm in his actions.

Tammuz 7, 4:31 pm
Isabelle Fitzgerald Bellows out for details of Sol Auk's improved foreign relations. Sol Auk, uncharacteristically, does not respond over the Bellows.

Tammuz 7, 5:51 pm
Sol Auk announces the first floor of La Banda Rossa is now his base of operations.

Tammuz 7, 6:25 pm
Khizr Deadeye announces that Bottomswell is now under his and Halina's management, changing hands from Sol Auk.

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Tammuz 8, 2:12 pm
Scribe Faustine Sangrey requests Sol Auk attend the Palatial Pyramid to clarify and officially document his meeting with the Banafsi representatives.

When questioned by Inspector on Tammuz 13, Faustine Sangrey stated that Sol Auk never met with her to detail the trade agreement.

Tammuz 8, 2:54 pm
Scribe Faustine Sangrey requests all license holders of the Well report to the Pyramid to fix improper documentation and receive a license receipt.

Tammuz 8, 3:39 pm
Scribe Faustine Sangrey requests to speak to Sephidra. Reason unknown.

Tammuz 8, 7:11 pm
Sol Auk calls for his Balestiere guards to Galayn Perch.

Tammuz 8, 7:23 pm
Sephidra calls for Janissary Amenya or Scribe Faustine. She waits in the Palatial Palace.

Tammuz 8, 8:32 pm to 10:18 pm
Zaniah's trial.

Tammuz 8, 11:06 pm
Scribe Theradur calls for Sol Auk to discuss 'ongoing matters.'

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Tammuz 9, 2:16 pm
Again, Sephidra calls for Janissary Amenya or Scribe Faustine. She waits in the Palatial Palace.

Tammuz 9, approximately 4:00pm to 8:00 pm
Gold League event. Sol Auk speaks to Sephidra publicly about narcotics in front of a crowd.

When questioned by Inspector on Tammuz 13, Sol Auk states he did not discuss the Banafsi matter at all and did not speak to Sephidra again.

Tammuz 9,  approximately 8:30 to 9:00 pm
According to Sol Auk, he tells Azimi the terms of the deal. Azimi reports them to Sephidra.

Tammuz 9, 10:40 pm
Kythaela calls for Sephidra and Naelin to come to the Krak des Roses for a meeting. They do not arrive, seemingly fearful of Sol Auk due to Apothar Azimi's warning. The meeting continues without them. The meeting is involves Sergeant Rennik Colmes, Sol Auk, Kythaela, Apothar Azimi and Nadiri Cosine. It took place in the Banda Rossa Fortress. Sol Auk claims to learn the full story about the Torchbearers, Banafsi, and the djinn at this time.

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Tammuz 10, 11:15 pm
Sol Auk calls for Balestriere, stating he will be outside Elossi's and wishes an escort to a formal meeting at Eagle's Mount.

Tammuz 10, late evening, near end of day
Estellise witnesses Sol Auk, Sephidra, Naelin and Kythaela exit the basement of the Banda Rossa Fortress together. Estellise had gone there to meet Bruno 'Ship-Burner.'
Kythaela made Bruno go below after Sephidra and Naelin departed. Estellise left the fortress to find Hypatia, and then saw Sol Auk and Kythaela exit together.

When questioned by Inspector on Tammuz 14, 5:40 pm, Estellise stated that Sephidra approached Sol Auk for the meeting, a discussion was had, but apparently the parties agreed to keep it a secret for unknown reasons. Estellise states she is aware of this meeting because, while being questioned by Sergeant Rennik Colmes on Tammuz 11, Sol Auk confirmed that Sephidra had approached him.
Estellise states that she spoke to Naelin about the meeting later, only for Naelin to threaten to break her legs if it was discussed again. Their efforts to continue secrecy is at extreme levels.

This meeting is the time when Sol Auk threatens Sephidra, forcing her to leave the election race. During this meeting, Sol Auk acted with full knowledge of Sephidra and Naelin being free from any oath to Banafsi. His actions here can therefore not be excused by ignorance.

When questioned a second time by Inspector on Tammuz 14, 9:30 pm, Sol Auk denies the meeting on Tammuz 10 ever happened. He does not change his earlier statements that he had not met with Sephidra at all between the time of the trade deal and Tammuz 11, aside from a public discussion during the Gold League open air festival on Tammuz 9. As this conflicts with the statement of Estellise, something which Sergeant Rennik Colmes would be able to corroborate, it appears Sol Auk has lied.

When questioned by Inspector on Tammuz 14, 9:30 pm, Kythaela states that she is bound by contractual obligations to keep the privacy of their clients. She would not state whether or not the meeting occurred. The specific question of this meeting is the only information Kythaela would not offer freely.  Kythaela maintains dutiful, honorable silence as dinar requires.

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Tammuz 11, 3:42 am
Naelin announces that Sephidra is ill and dropping out of the race.

Tammuz 11, 9:07 am
Sol Auk encourages Purple League voters to instead vote for him.

Tammuz 11, between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Sol Auk, Estellise and Rennik meet. Sol informs them that Sephidra met with him to arrange a new deal. Sergeant Rennik Colmes is angered by Sol's lack of answers. Seemingly due to this anger, Sergeant Colmes announces voting for Lynneth.
The Sergeant is a witness to Sol Auk having a direct meeting with Sephidra after the trade deal was secured and immediately before her announcement of exiting the race.




I note here that article 6 of Ephia's Well Penal Code states, 'Treason: A person found guilty of energetically undermining or energetically attempting to undermine the government for any reason, thereby inviting anarchy and disorder, has committed Treason. Capital.'

Even lacking the testimony of Sephidra and Naelin, the actions of the Banafsi diplomat and Sol Auk appear to constitute such a matter of state. Their intentional actions invited disorder to what should be a fair and honorable election under the gaze of His Sublime Glory, Sultan Osman VI, sovereign of Ephia's Well.

Fare thee as well as I fare,

Daoud al-Maaz
Tammuz 14, IY 7787

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