Arenglae (prime)/Letters Written

A Letter to Amalexia

Addressed to Lady of the Argent Chamber, Amalexia Amalathia Illistim

Dearest Cousin,

I have... tidings. They are not good. In truth, they are rather bad, and I feel both saddened and relieved that I had been sheltered from the atrocity of war up until this point. I would have remained so if not for Saka's... Alosaka's request that I stay with him last night to aid in the attacks against Wehnimer's Landing. I realize this place is not our concern, and I admit to my own reluctance to participate, but I could not say no at such an earnest request.

It was horrid, Lexi. Absolutely horrid. These creatures of stone, trolls... so many other things attacked in waves, breaching the gates (which I know is no great feat, but you would think that enough of a defense could be had to prevent this). I had never witnessed such forces before, and I do not wish to again. But the town is not where my concern lies.

As you know, there are refugees and other settlers who have been traveling the lands to find new homes. It is no different here, though it appears the Turamzzyrian Empire is expanding slightly, colonizing the area around the town, to create the Barony of Darkstone. The issue here is many of these people are defenseless, have nowhere else to do, and are living in tents outside of town. This has left them quite vulnerable, and it was punctuated yester evening, or perhaps much too early this morning, when the attacks occurred and they were targeted by boulders of flame shot at them from catapults.

It was on fire, Lexi. There was fire everywhere. The tents, the supplies... the people, Lexi, the children. And while I understand that the denizens of the Landing were fighting their own battles, the plight of the imperial refugees was essentially disregarded by many of them, some going so far as lamenting their very brief aid to the settlers as "I cannot believe I helped imperials" as though helping the the defenseless should be condemned simply because of where they are from.

Needless to say, this... this situation weighs heavily on me. Enough so that I must ask you, not as my cousin, but Lady of the Argent Chamber, to inform the Argent Mirror of what is happening here. I would ask, also, that we find a way to send resources here, as there is clearly no love from the locals here for this new barony. Additionally, there is a criminal organization here called the Rooks who claim to defend the town and I have no doubt will do whatever they can to impede any aid to the campsite and new Barony. They shot one of citizens in the triage area just because he spoke against them. I admit, I worry I may be a target at some point, as well, but I cannot leave just yet.

Please, see what we can do to help in this regard. I do not wish to take part in this war, and I do not expect that we will, especially given the sordid history of Wehnimer's Landing and our House. I only care about being able to offer the aid where we can, and I will do what I can while I am here.

Sincerely,
Arenglae

A Letter to Rohese

Addressed to Lady Rohese Bayvel-Timbertree, of House Sylvanfair

Dear Lady Bayvel,

After our last talk, I wish this letter were being sent in a lighter tone. Unfortunately, I write to you today because I have many concerns after witnessing what I have seen in the west.

I am not sure if you are familiar with the happenings here, but it would seem the Turamzzyrian Empire is expanding their borders with a new barony to the south of Wehnimer's Landing. That may not be so newsworthy, but what is is that the those who are settling this new barony are refugees, many similar to those settling in Ta'Illistim, and other parts of Elanith now. They already have lost much and are currently residing in an encampment, within tents, at the start of the winter months.

Along with that, not only are the majority of the denizens of the Landing against this new barony and its proximity to their town, it would seem there are Illoke who oppose it as well. At the behest of Alosaka, I stayed last night with him to aid and fight. I have never seen firsthand the consequence of war, and it was brutal... especially when the attack switched to focus on the imperial encampment.

I am writing to you today because much of what they had was burned last night in the attack... tents, supplies, so many things. People, as well. There was one woman who, although Alosaka was there and able to heal her, will suffer the trauma of what happened to her last night. Not just the burns, but the mental anguish as well. They need aid, and while I am sure the empire can provide it, I know we are capable of doing so, as well. For now, I will be staying here to help, but if there is anything you, or anyone else can do to aid, as well, it would go a long way, I am sure. So many have already started making moves to provide what they can here and back home, but more will always be needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely,
Lady Arenglae Amalathia Illistim

A Letter to Aureliano

Addressed to High Legionnaire Aureliano Tiberius Vaalor

Lord Tiberius,

I wish I could say this letter was sent with me in the highest spirits. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I am currently in the west, staying in Solhaven, and my purpose here was to assess the needs of those refugees who are settling into the new barony near Wehnimer's Landing that I may communicate those needs to my compatriots.

However, there are more issues here than I had imagined. The Landing itself is under attack by a stone creature called Gnul who has rallied the surrounding creatures to war... and in this war, it would seem the refugees are a target, as well.

That is not why I write to you specifically, though. While nothing has yet been mentioned, and it would seem none here would care... I am concerned about the nearby elven settlement. I am sure our own people are an afterthought to both the denizens of the Landing, and the refugees who have their own concerns. I merely wish to send warning with information, and assume you will do with it what you will. As I understand it, the elven settlement was of interest to House Vaalor a little bit ago...

For myself, I have never seen the atrocities of war... truly, only read about it. Such sights are easily dismissed when one is removed far enough, but I cannot remove myself just yet. I fear even when I do, I will be plagued with nightmares to come. I would wish to spare others, especially the children, from such things if I can help them at all.

I hope you will be able to, as well, Lord Tiberius.

Warmest Regards,
Lady Arenglae Amalathia Illistim

A Letter to Uniana

In response to:

I do hope you will forgive my swift hand as I write this. I have just learned that some northern peoples are experiencing a harsh and unrelenting winter. You have proven yourself already to be quite generous with your talents and I now I come to you once more. If over the next couple of days find yourself with extra yarn and time, could you send along some warm articles of clothing back to me? You are also quite welcome to see them delivered in Ta'Vaalor when we welcome a group from Icemule. They are arriving on Leyan, the fourth, in the evening.

With deepest respect,

Lady Uniana Anduin Nalfein

To Lady Anduin,

I regret that I had not received your letter sooner. In truth, I find I have been busy assisting in the settlement where I can, so I apologize for my absence of late, as well. Please let me know if yarn or knitted items are still needed to be sent and I will gather what I can. Otherwise, I will continue to focus my efforts where I am locally.

Please send Lord Anduin and others my regards.

Sincerely,
Lady Arenglae Amalathia Illistim

A Letter to Rohese

In response to:

Dear Lady Amalathia,
 
This is such distressing news.  As you know, we are somewhat sheltered in the east from the vagaries of imperial politics so I was unaware of recent events across the DragonSpine.  Why is it always the innocent who suffer at the hands of opportunists and power-hungry regimes with their expansionist agenda?  I will, of course, do all I can to assist you with those who find themselves in this unfortunate position once again and will reach out to others to do the same.  Should I be needed to come west and help in person, please do not hesitate to let me know but I am wary of involving myself fully at this point for reasons I will explain the next time I have the pleasure of seeing you.
 
In the meantime, do take care and I will be in touch again soon with an update of what I have managed to organise.
 
Your friend,
Rohese

Dear Lady Amalathia,

Blessings for the new year to you and your household.

You may recall that some months ago a few of us gathered in Cysaegir and discussed the possibility of setting up a philanthropic fund.  Please accept my apologies for the delay but I am hoping this might still be of interest to you.  With the restored freedoms for elves in the Empire following the repeal of Chaston's Edict, the resettlement of so many refugees from Caligos and Talador, and the prospect of a hard winter ahead for many, I believe assistance such as this is needed now, more than ever.

I propose, therefore, to establish the Glimae'den Trust as a means of providing necessary funds and support to secure property, establish new businesses, advance education, relieve poverty and suffering, and the furtherance of other schemes beneficial to the community as a whole.  Please let me know if you would still like to be a part of this endeavour and I will arrange a get-together shortly to discuss it further with all interested parties.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Your friend,

Rohese Bayvel-Timbertree
Loremaster and Patron of the Displaced

Just above the signatory, a tiny dragonfly has been added in metallic blue and green ink to mirror those illuminating the parchment.

Dear Lady Rohese,

It warms my heart to hear from you once again. I apologize for my lack of response to your last letter following up on my own. I fear I ended up straining myself overly much whilst I aided out here and fell ill. Thankfully, I feel much better now, and will continue to work here as I have been.

Our discussion still rests heavy on my thoughts, and it is one of the very reasons I reached out to you regarding my concern with the happenings around Wehnimer's Landing. Know I still interested in this and will do what I need to to see it come to fruition. I may not be able to join in the next gathering, as it depends fully on what is needed of me here.

I do miss home dearly, and I hope with what I am hearing from those around me, we may have a reprieve soon enough.

Please send my regards to your beloved husband.

Sincerely,
Arenglae Amalathia

A Letter to Elaejia

Addressed to Lady Elaejia Silithyr Loenthra, of the Ilyan Syndicate

To Lady Silithyr,

I find I must start this correspondance with my apologies for my lack of presence back home. Initially, when I had ventured west, I had hoped it would be a brief stay as I simply wished to visit someone who I had not truly been able to see or spend time with in a few months. However, one brief stay turned into much longer as I witnessed many of the atrocities here. Wehnimer's Landing is under attack. I am sure, by now, that is not truly newsworthy as it is certainly commonplace in that area. There are innocents within the town, and without, as settlers from what was once Talador are making their way under the guidance of Earl Jovery to build a new home and new barony for the Empire. There are stone creatures here who are fighting back, however.

I realize that in the comfort of my ivory tower, so to speak, I have not born witness to the atrocities of war. To be so far removed and only read of things, instead of seeing it, it is easy to dismiss the plights of others. I cannot unsee what has happened here. Innocents are now victims, torn between their desires for a home to once again call their own... and the quarrels of man and beast. Truly, there is evil in the heart of one called Gnul who would besiege minimally armed caravans and use those peoples who were traveling as trebuchet fodder while they yet live. There has been worse, and I cannot in my right mind leave these people to the whims of those who would do them harm.

For now, I do not fight in this war. It is not my place, nor my desire. Instead, I will aid where I can... putting out the fires, both literally and figuratively, and offering a sense of solace and comfort to those who would need it. It is minor, as I cannot do much else or offer the promise of hope in these trying times.

I have not had a pleasant night's sleep since leaving home... as the visions plague my dreams now, haunting me with the burned or mangled bodies of those who are suffered and fell to the injuries forced upon them.

In truth, I do not expect you to understand my position, and perhaps I do not understand my own presence here, as I do not think I can affect much.

So please, forgive me my absence. I do not know when I will return home again.

Sincerely, Arenglae Amalathia