Dearest Raskolf,
What in the name of Gaia’s saggy tits did you DO at that political dinner? Keep in mind that your brother and I live in a HUT in the middle of gods-forsaken NOWHERE, yet even here we have heard rumors of a civil war? Caused by some sort of resolution that YOU, apparently, delivered? And what happened to that idol? Did you gain any more information about it?
I tire of this voluntary exile and the ignorance it brings. I had only just begun to learn the ways of this area when we settled in for winter, and it appears momentous events have occurred in the past months that I have little to no knowledge of. Spring is here – we are coming out of hiding, Rhodi’s back be damned.
Give Elise a scratch behind the ears for me, and give my regards to Anjan.
May the Great Wolf hunt with you,
Ylsa
P.S. Rhodi says hi, and that if you suggest eating the rabbits he will turn your bones into a fine set of hilts
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Dear Ylsa,
I have not been able to secure the idol, but the portents have indicated that it is an unholy item and not some mere magical trinket. According to my research, and after consulting with a human sage, we have reason to believe that it is directly connected to an evil power from the old world. Our Priestesses believe that the idol, should it fall into the wrong hands, could release a plague of hungry ghosts upon Mardrun, the same as which destroyed the homelands of the colonists. We have sent messengers to warn the people who hold the idol, a group of humans called Boomhowler’s Bastards, but none of the runners returned. Reports from the Eyes and Ears of our allies within Clan Grimward confirmed our suspicions that the Bastards had killed our messengers. The Graytides have encouraged us to join their cause, but for now we have attempted to take a more diplomatic route, and instead drafted a security resolution. I can only hope that by going public we will force the Bastards to surrender the idol. The resolution outlines actions which must be taken in order to avoid what we believe could be the outbreak of an apocalyptic plague. It also makes public the hostile actions which New Aldoria has taken against the Watchwolves. I was unable to deliver the resolution myself, as I was on a diplomatic mission in New Aldoria at the time it was to be read, but the Graytides of Clan Grimward graciously delivered it for me. Apparently, our resolution was not well received by the humans. I am traveling to the Reach, now, in search of the Bastards and the idol. Unlike humans, the children of the Great Black Wolf do not run away from our problems. We run towards them. I have, in my company, warriors of the noblest Longfang Pack, as well as representatives from the Sjóúlfur and other local families, but I request the presence of you and Rhodi as well. Your expertise in legends and lore may prove helpful on this quest, and we may need Rhodi to help us train an army if things fall apart.
Sincerely,
Raskolf Vakr
The Voice of the Watchwolves
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Dear Raskolf,
The hostility of New Aldoria is worth some alarm to say the least, and the treachery of Boomhowler’s Bastards is truly saddening, but it is wise that the Watchwolves are seeking a diplomatic solution. If the idol can truly bring the same undead that massacred Faedrun, then we MUST maintain peaceful relations with the colonists, both Syndar and Human. Do not forget that they fought against this enemy for fifty years before they fled their homeland. If or when it is released here, we will need that experience on our side. If we do not, then we may as well blindfold ourselves before going into battle.
Your request was barely necessary. Preparations must be made, but Rhodi and I shall soon depart for the Reach. We expect to arrive when the moon next begins to wane.
Safe travels and clear skies,
Ylsa Stormherald
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Dear Ylsa,
Good news! I was contacted today by a runner from our friends, the Longfangs. The Idol is safely in the hands of Clan Nightriver! Boomhowler’s Bastards actually agreed with our resolution and have not only complied, but wish to aid us in policing the burial practices of their fellows. Reports to the contrary were false, and I was elated to hear so. After some careful thought, however, this same news also concerns me. Either our intelligence ring has failed us, or we have been deliberately misled. Sadly, I am inclined to believe the latter rather than the former. I fear there is treachery afoot, and therefore, the matter still requires further investigation. Obviously, there is also the matter of our missing messengers to look into. The last ones to report seeing them were the garrison of a Graytide outpost where they spent a night. That seems like a good place to start our investigation.
Sincerely,
Raskolf Vakr
The Voice of the Watchwolves