Nadiri Manos Cosmatos

[Random_White_Guy]

Manos,

When I returned from the Archive I heard you had departed. I thank you for aid with the ritual's preparations though I fear it will be quite some time before affairs are in order to see it undertaken. But as always, I am in not so much a rush.

In your absence as you can imagine there's been a quietude to overtake the tower. Political lines drawn in the sand, though a resurgence of auld magic has seen violence and war anew to the city. It would be unfortunate if your caravan caught in the crossfire. Though by all accountings you should be well north of the strife.

I have been considering our last conversation and your talk of the tending of Nadiri. It leaves me to wonder if there is not a better way to engage with the newer rank. Despite my efforts many of them I have not yet had the chance to encounter, as for a time I did yourself, Graydon, and the others. I am hopeful though that Voutan can usher in those who have kept to the more human hours, while yourself and the others in the Ashfolk hours make your way.

For consideration while you attend the works during the night, and prepare for respite at the dawn - Of your time in Il Modo at the Academy, and the Tower of Q'tolip, is there any aspects or practices you believe could be a boon?

Given our work in archaeological pursuits of the Tower many are imitative over innovative and may be more susceptible to change were it to come from a source that has so long endured Baz'eel's wroth in a unique overlap of our Tower.

Celybuin Hui'nalyw
Nadiri the Second of Isaac Naught

[blue_luminaire]

Celybuin,

I apologize for the delay in my reply - it has taken some time for your letter to reach me. The caravans were held up by the destruction in Kha'esh, which I was unfortunate enough to witness on the distant horizon, but fortunate enough to escape. So too I received word of Ahmet's victory once the smoke settled in Ephia. It is a strange thing, to be in isolation and apart from such conclusive blows.

But there is a clarity that comes to me beneath myriad stars, alone. Something like reverence stirs within me, difficult to describe. Though my work is in many ways a challenge of faith, I cannot fault my people for following such guiding lights.

When the first Modini set out upon the Sea of Pearls, it was the pilots, the captains, and the navigators who saw them through to salvation. Later, the inventors and artisans ensured that their fleets flourished and multiplied. In those nights, our only religion was one of unfettered discovery, our greatest minds held in equal esteem. But whatever happened to the clarity of survival, and the thrill of wonder?

I will tell you. They were replaced by the Game of Knives, and the terrors of the Inspecta, and the Crimson Death. The needs of the people then forgotten, the forces of curiosity and invention soon replaced by cynicism and indolence.

Perhaps some sense of reverence is missing from the ranks of Q'tolip as well. Or if we must avoid such language, then call it passion for the unknown. In my short time here, I have seen us play cat-and-mouse with the rest of the Accord, gamble with cursed relics, and force a man to the seat of Legate. Quick and rough victories, if necessary. But rarely have I seen us break new ground, save for a few brilliant moments best unmentioned by letter.

To languish in distractions is not our true path, I think, any more than Il Modo now follows the Way of its fathers. Perhaps it is a product of my human naivete, but I believe our destiny is something far greater than this, even as the world dies around us.

I hope you are keeping well among the turmoil, mi amico, and that we may resume these conversations in person soon enough.