3. Letter to Celia StClair

Letter to Celia StClair


    • this letter is handed to the boats man to give to Celia as she boards *

    My lady Celia, I pray this letter finds you well and know this trip will likely be hard for you. No matter what you find on your journey I am still here waiting for you. I hope to hear from you and what you find when you do land, I pray it is all good and that you are happy.

    I know many wont understand this voyage and I want you to never feel guilt for taking this trip. It was needed for you before anything else could happen to go forward in your devotion to Torm. Take your rest and know where ever the road may take you, I am here to answer any questions or grant you guidance as you seek it.

    Signed with care: Arthur Forge, Paladin of Helm and Squire of the Divine Shield of Peltarch


    • a letter written in the candlelight of the Mermaid *

    My dearest friend, by the time this letter reaches you, I will possibly be in Damorra, I am setting out tonight to come join you and aid in this treatment. I am sending ahead letters to the Ilmaterian temple to see if there is anything they can do about it, do expect their presence to be noticed. I will make sure your love is spread before I leave but I assure you it will not take me long to reach you. I promise I will be at your side soon. If I see Reynauld I will see to his intentions, but for note I will not be waiting for him. I will bring you home myself if I have to bring you back on my celestial steed Thunder. Be strong and Helm watch over you.

    Your friend: Arthur

    P.S. Jake and the children send you their love and strength.


  • By the candlelight in the Silver Chalice castille in west Damorra:

    @40a785f7d6:

    Dear friend and squire Arthur,

    I do not know when this letter will arrive to you, but I am writing to tell you that I am slowly recovering from an horrible disease, that plagues this region. I am still in house arrest for everyones safety. Although it seems the victims of this disease are only those that come in contact with or breathing the thick misty cloud over the Abbey I am indeed quarantined, not to take any unnecessary risks.

    I sent a letter to Reynauld some days ago I told him you knew where I was. I hope you are all well up North. I will as soon as my health permits to mount a horse, be on my way towards Narfell again.

    Send my love to Ashena and the rest of the Order, and not to forget the children.

    Yours in faith
    Celia StClair


    • A letter is more calmly written up to her and sent to order of the Silver Chalice addressed to Celia StClair *

    I hope your alright, sounds like you have had quite a trip. I hate boats too so don't feel bad about that. It sounds like something serious has occurred there and I have sent word to the Champions of the Vigilant to look into it and to check on you. I am hoping perhaps they can send me some information that I can send back to you in case they don't give you anything there. I also don't like they are keeping you locked into a room, another reason I asked them to check on you is to make sure nothing more serious is going on. I worry deeply for you as a sister. If you wish me to come down there and join you merely say so and I will grab my horse this minute and be out the door.

    Your brother in spirit: Arthur Forge

    • Inside is more pictures for her, some of her with her steed, others of her with the children, all signed by the children in hopes to make her feel better *

    • a letter is quickly written up to the Champions of the Vigilant in Tethyr *

    Forgive me and though you not know me, My name is Arthur Forge, Paladin of Helm and Squire of the Divine Order of Peltarch. I have received very concerning news recently of one I call my own sister. Her name is Celia StClair. She was on her way to check on convent StClair where she had grown up as a child. She has reported finding these and I quote from her own letter, "The small houses and the chapel, or what was left of it, stared at me with gaping black holes for windows." Apparently she is back in Darromar being housed by the order of the Silver Chalice. I would ask the order of the Vigilant to check on her and make sure that she is alright and not to be kept there prisoner, she is a retired and respected member of the Order of the Divine Shield and one I call dear to me. I know this is not normal routine. Though it is appreciated if you would send back some information as to what occurred there if there is any. Thank you in advance.

    Sincerely: Arthur Forge, Paladin of Helm, Squire of the Divine Shield


  • _The room smells of old limestone and melted candle wax. The Spartan interior contains precious little. A simple pine desk with a candle flickering on it, and a bed, smallish and crude, but with just enough on it for a weary traveler to get a fitful night's rest upon it’s thin blankets. She looks out the window at the clear night sky. Somehow, the stars seem more regal in comparison, yet their sparkle fails to fill the empty void of darkness.

    The jingle of keys and a knock on the door chases her thoughts away if only for a few moments._

    “Lady Celia StClair?”

    _Unwillingness to leave the solitude of the open window lends inertia to her feet, but she makes it across the room to the door as the second more forceful knock falls on the oaken portal. She pulls on the door, and this time it gives way.

    A warm comforting smile greets her from the young man standing there. She returns the smile but with no life to her eyes. It gives him pause. The seconds tick by before he speaks._

    “I am sorry to say, but we found this note on a dead body by the river, its a letter MiLady… for you"

    He sighs. There is sympathy in his eyes, but he says nothing more then,

    “May I come Inside?”

    _She nods her response. Once.

    The young man crosses the room and drops a letter on her desk, then walks out without so much as another glance. The door closes like a tomb and she hears him fumble with the chain of keys before the loud click announces that she is once again locked in from the outside._

    She takes the candle and the letter over to the window sill to read. The response is written some time later.

    @67ba031c76:

    Dear friend and Squire Arthur,

    The journey to my home land was thankfully quite uneventful. However, while it is known I do not like horses, I tell I don't like boats either. I feel trapped and vunerable as it is never good for a man nor a woman in plate to travel on water.

    Once we landed on the coast of Cormyr, I managed to find an old reliable steed. I chose to take the lesser routes, trying not to to draw too much attention towards me. I was quite worried passing through Dragon coast and Amn, but strangely enough, that too was not much to speak of, yet i had this eery feeling that it was too quiet, like just before a storm.

    Once reaching the borders Of Tethyr I took to the main Zazesspur-Saradush trading route, and crossing the river Ith I finally reached Darromar. I stayed in the main city for two days resting up, getting my worn, dirty clothes washed and a proper meal. I've lost quite a bit of weight through the travel, I am not sure if it's because of the warmer climate draining my energy and appetite, or my mood leaving the region of Narfell.

    As you probably know, there are several knightly orders here in Tethyr and Torm, Tyr, and Illmater hold a strong presence. There also, is the Champions of the Vigilant sponsored by Helm.

    On the third day I set out to Convent StClair and after eight hours trekking through the twists and turns of the river banks, a strange mist appeared. I thought that perhaps the heat from the sun and the cold from the water would make this strange phenomena, although I couldn't quite remember ever seeing this as a child. On the eleventh hour I stopped. I was lost. The river was still to my left side. I didn't understand. I tell you that by now the small chapel and wall should be visible on a small elevation of land to the right. The mist was thick. I thought if I turned right and let my horse walk by itself, it would find the way. I let go of the reigns and kicked my heels to the side. The horse started to walk.

    In a moment I could sense the hint a dark shadow I thought must be the familiar stone wall, but it was so silent. I heard no familiar laughter, no chantings, no playful games. Nothing. Then, the wall was just in front of me, yet it wasnt a wall, not the wall I am used to. Not much was left of it. The gate was half torn down. I pulled the horse to a halt and slid down with a clank, leaving it just out side as I walked in, my hand resting on the hilt of my axe. The small houses and the chapel, or what was left of it, stared at me with gaping black holes for windows. My head started spinning and I heard screams, horrible screams, then it all went black.

    All I know now is that I find myself safe back in Darromar. I am housed at the knightly order of the Silver Chalice. I have been sleeping for two days, and they haven't spoken to me much. They keep the door locked from the outside. I do not really know what is going on. I don't feel captive and they all treat me very nicely, as expected for a guest.

    I never had the time to tell you what happened some years back when I had asked the squires and the the Order of the Divine Shield to help me claim back a sacred chalice, that was sent to me from StClair, intended for the wedding of Lady Ashena and Cecil. Suffice it to say, it's a tragic story.

    I feel somewhat tired now the day is finally here, I should rest. I may after a while try to find out what really happened, if they only would speak to me.

    I will finally thank you from the whole of my heart for trying to keep me informed of the land up north, and the picture made me fall in tears. You take good care of those children, it gives me comfort. Please let me know the progress of little Jake. Oh, Ky'Amendos is a fine man. Often in good spirit we all need that when times are dire. Please send my love to lady Ashena and monsieur Reynauld. I can imagine he'll be very upset with me for leaving.

    I've only known you for such a brief time, yet you appear to me so familiar. Looking at you reminds me of my dearest brother in faith Jacques D’Emoull. He is not with us anymore, as he was one of those that met the unfortunate death at retrieving the chalice.

    Your in faith,

    Celia stClair

    She folds the letter then walks to the door, knocks, then leans down and slips it under the door


    • A letter is waiting for Celia as she arrives at the convent StClair *

    Wrote to see how your doing. Hope everything is working out for you and that you are finally enjoying yourself and taking time for yourself. Things here in Peltarch are going well. Two of the orphans have been adopted out and they speak a lot of you.

    I found a young orphan named Jake, I will be spending a lot of time with him, he is kinda just like me, except that now new things scare him as do new people. Hopefully I can change that. As he is, he isn't adoptable. He is slowly calming though. When I first met him I couldn't even take him out of the orphanage without him spazzing out, now he actually comes to find me in the commons. He has a lot of night terrors so when I have nothing I need to be doing I will either sleep beside him in the orphanage or take him to the commons to sleep against me.

    Update on the Order of the Divine Shield, I am now officially a Squire under Ky. He seems fairly nice and I enjoy the brief time we did spend chatting. He is likely the one person who actually knows my history entirely. I also got to meet his father Elyl, he gave me a Masterwork Bronze Tower shield. Beautiful piece and much better then my old one.

    Under the union of Norwick I am now Apprentice to Quin. Master Z seems impressed with my work and I hope to keep impressing him with such. I can mine anywhere from eight to twenty three raw ore of tin a shot and recently my highest pull of ore single handedly came to a total of 203 tin ingots. My highest ever for my own single taking. Would have been more but both my pickaxes broke and had to walk out with less then we intended.

    Hope this reaches you well and happy. Inside the envelope is a small gift for you from the children who wish the same. Helm watch over you and guide you in your path.

    Yours truly: Arthur Forge

    • Inside the letter would be a picture which would appear to be Celia under a rainbow with a sun. It has been drawn by a multitude of children all at once but made with much love, the signatures of all the orphans are on the back with the message " We love you Celia, Rainbows and Sunshine"

  • …as Celia steps on the landing the boatsman hollers and waves at her.

    "There be a note for you my lady!"

    "Oui? Yez"

    She takes it and quickly unfolds it to read. She then turns the piece of parchment and scribbles hastily as the bells for the departure rings.

    @ef5ed97c96:

    My Friend Arthur

    If you wish, any correspondence should be sent to the region of Tethyr, city of Darromar, convent StClair.

    Celia StClair

    She shouts at one of the boys down at the docks

    "Garcon, GARCON! Please vould you see zat this letter gets to zquire Arthur Forge, you may find 'im at ze temple of ze Triads."