Elysa's Correspondence

Gharu'ndim

Sho

Viamontians

Ispar History

Auberean History

Texts

Rumors

Purchased from:
Magrom the Red in Cragstone - 25.7N, 48.8E
Ystig Marson in Glenden Wood - 29.4N, 27.2E
Mausin ibn Hi in Khayyaban - 47.6S, 24.6E
Te Kenten in Mayoi - 61.4S, 81.9E
Iquba al-Julmad in Qalaba'r - 74.3S, 19.1E
Ricetha in Rithwic - 10.7N, 58.1E
Mishiya al-Adbi in Samsur - 2.8S, 19.6E
Mi Chi in Tou-Tou - 28.0S, 95.5E
Bai Yao Feng in Yanshi - 10.6S, 46.3E
Ghazi al-Barbasin in Zaikhal - 13.8N, 0.7E
 

Hello Traveller,

Years ago my older sister disappeared. She had been a girlhood friend of Elysa Starthelar and corresponded with her quite often. I believe the letters Elysa wrote to her are a clue to her whereabouts. I would reward you if you could aid me in this matter. You may find me in the town of Cragstone and I will provide you with the details.

Sincerely,

Glysander Cartoth
 

Dear Brontynn,

I hereby give the bearer of this note permission to obtain from you any letters from Elysa Strathelar to my sister Lania that you may have in your possession.

Glysander Cartoth

From a chest near Eastham.

Dearest Lania,

Only a few days have passed since the vile creature slay Thorsten. Everything has changed for me, maybe even more so than when I entered this strange land. I know Thorsten is gone, yet I feel at any moment I could turn and there he would stand, smiling at me, reaching for my hand. At times I do turn around expecting him to be there, but only see a wall, a field, the sky. I only see the emptiness of my present world. Reality, as cruel and unforgiving as the eyes of that monster when she descended upon us. She pierced my heart just as surely as she pierced the heart of my beloved. Thorsten's wound matters not to him today. Mine feels as if it will never heal.

When we were girls back on Ispar, do you remember how we dreamt of love and a bright tomorrow with our respective future husbands whose visages we could but hazily imagine? We sat on Farview Hill and looked towards that corner of Jasmina Valley between the rising sun and the northern sky where we envisioned twin castles- one for your family and one for mine. We talked of the estates we would create and thrive in with our loved ones.

Here in this new land I found love, but it is lost to me now. My future is empty. I feel I can only look backwards to the memories of my time with Thorsten, a time all too short. I cannot bear to bury Thorsten's armor or his axe with him. They were so much a part of him. When I look upon his armor I see him within it, though it stands empty. I will keep them with me through the empty tomorrows.

Elysa

Sir Cartoth,

I left the two letters I found for you in this chest. I am on the trail of another letter, which I heard might be located north of Imuth Maer Doquin. I have heard reports of Tumeroks in that area. Though I am somewhat fearful, I am willing to take the risk and am headed there now.

Brontynn Marshad

From Brontynn Marshad.

Dearest Lania,

Today frost came upon the Aluvian land. Winter has arrived with snow blanketing the ground and swirling in the air. The trees this morningtide were all coated with ice, the branches encased as in glass. The sun came out, brilliant against the blue sky and shone through the crystalline trees, its rays splintered by the myriad of icy facets. The glazed white ground and the blinding trees hurt the eyes. The air is cold, the world is cold. But when I take a breath, the icy air drawn into my breast is chilled further by the frozen numbness that grips my heart.

I always believed fury to be a hot thing, boiling within like water in a kettle on a brazier. Now I understand it may also be a cold thing.

Had I been quicker with the bow Thorsten might live today. I rage against my faltering hand. When speed was most required, my hands and eyes were too slow. The thrust and parry of battle are desperate moments, the insects dark nightmares of speed and razor claws. Yet when I close my eyes I see the horror occurring with a languid slowness.
I watch Thorsten fall but my arrow is not notched and my bowstring is slack.

I could have saved him. I could have saved our future together.

I could. I did not.

I live. I rage. I close my eyes against the winter glare and breathe deep. The frozen air warms me.


Elysa

Dearest Lania,

Thorsten's tomb has been complete for some time now and work progresses at a fine pace on this town, which will bear his name.

The other night I had a dream.

I believe it was a dream.

I dreamt that I rose from bed in the darkness of early morning and journeyed to a bluff overlooking the lake. I gazed down at the Isle of Tears. Mist lay draped about the isle in ragged sheets like a beggars garb. From out of the mist strode Thorsten, walking in a slow, floating gait. Unhurried, as if he had all eternity to reach me. His usually strong features were hazy, not fully defined as the mist swirled about him, seemingly through him at moments. I understood deep inside that I was seeing a shade of Thorsten, his ghost. As he drew near I saw his eyes were locked on mine, and yet they focused beyond me as though searching for my soul that had been rended from the shell of my body. As I reached for his hand he dissolved into mist. I implored him to return but there was only the swirling mist and pre-dawn silence. I awoke wiping away tears.

I was standing by my bed, my feet muddied.

Had it only been a dream? I wonder when else I might see him.

Thorsten's armor stands in the corner of my room, watching me with hollow eyes. Having seen Thorsten on the bluff, even if it was but a dream, I feel less of his presence within it and more within me. It is comforting.

Elysa

From Lia Tze in Baishi.
 

Dearest Lania,

You have written to me in the past that you are wary of Aseron's motives. I have not been able to convince you otherwise, but you should understand that I must trust him and have faith in his positive intentions. I believe all Isparians should have this faith for there are sure to be struggles yet to come in which we will require his aid.

On another matter; I wrote you once that I could not bear to bury Thorsten's armor or axe with his body. Though I kept them with me, it came upon me one day that I was being a mite selfish. Thorsten did not belong to me alone. He fought for all Isparians trapped in this land and his memory is not my property.

Nor are his most important effects which symbolize his struggle and his fate. Thus, Asheron has arranged for Thorsten's armor and axe to be secreted away at an ancient Empyrean site. Let them be saved for a day when they are needed as symbols of unity and a struggle our brethern should never forget. Perhaps someday my son will be required to wear the armor and swing Thorsten's axe in defense of his family, his people. I fear such a day but, alas, I must prepare for it. Thus, the chamber that houses Thorsten's Tomb also contains a secret... If it ever were necessary, just remember our girlhood dreams and you may find its direction. Do not venture there however- what lies beyond is well guarded by watchful eyes.

Fondly,

Elysa
 

From the corpse of Lania Cartoth.
 

Dearest Lania,

I know you mean the best, but your distrust of Asheron is a burden on me. He is a being of great power, this you know. Asheron is able to wield forces beyond that which we knew on Ispar. You question what good is power when its very use brings disaster and pain through unintended consequences? He first brought the Olthoi scourge upon this world, then wielded great magic to help his brethren escape the scourge whilst trapping our people evermore in this land. He presented me the means to slay the Olthoi Queen and slay her I did. Yet, through my fault or no, it resulted in the death of my beloved. You say Asheron's hand wields great power yet, though his intentions seem positive, always and suspiciously, there seem to be unpurposed outcomes contrary to his purposes.

You last wrote me that you have been studying the Empyrean to formulate a supposition of evil intent. I know you believe Asheron's purposes are other than that declared, yet lately this appears to have become an obsession with you. I know not what I may say to convince you otherwise! Asheron used his art to secret away Thorsten's armor and axe but this you do not believe. Tis true that I could not be present when this feat was done, nor am I able to journey there myself. But I have faith that this was accomplished, though I cannot prove it to you.

You think to venture there and see for yourself if all is as Asheron promised it would be. For your sake and the sake of your little brother I beg of you to leave this matter of seeking proof be! There would be deadly forces to contend with, and I understand the Undead have also inhabited that place. Do not venture there!

Forever your friend,

Elysa

See he Thorsten Cragston'e Armor & Axe quest for details.