Missives from Venture-Captains (Gozran, AR 4713)

[Richard Loh]

Alas, fellow Pathfinders, as Venture-Captain of Singapore, there have been reports by Pathfinders of various factions that the faction leader themselves have sent out missives in what to look out for in the coming Year of the Demon. The key lies in Bonekeep and the gathering forces of the Pathfinders.

May Sarenrae keep us all safe.
Venture-Captain Richard Loh

Note: The missives have been replicated below for your perusal. As the missives are from fellow Pathfinders, may I request an extraction of missives from the following factions: Qadira, Grand Lodge as well as Taldan.

[Richard Loh]

From Paracountess Zarta Dralneen:

Gozran, 4713 AR
My Trusted Ally,
I cannot tarry long in writing to you, for I am hunted, not in the wild as a fox hounded by dogs, but as a mouse who has been watched by a silent cat for far too long. I am no longer safe, and it is clear to me now that my enemies are more powerful than I ever could have guessed. I must go into hiding for some time, both to remain a step ahead of those who would do me harm, and to rebuild damaged political relationships. If you do not hear from me in the coming months, I apologize. My affection for you and my gratitude for all you've done for me has not diminished; it is merely eclipsed by a nuisance I hope to soon eliminate.
In my absence, while we will long for each other's caresses, you must remain true to our ideals, even if the corruption of House of Thrune taints the nation we have both sworn to serve. Whether we do so as official ambassadors of Cheliax or on our own, we can spread order to the corners of the world, and in doing so improve our own comfort and position. Maintain your focus on Korvosa, for I see much in common with that exiled city that so longs to be one again with Mother Cheliax. Do not abandon your efforts to increase that city's standing in Varisia over Magnimar—where I hear that freedom-loving fool Colson Maldris is hard at work planting Andoran's claws in the fledgling city-state.
Worry not about me, Pathfinder. I am very good at taking care of myself. One doesn't get to my position without being able to handle these sorts of situations. Nevertheless, keeping speaking well of me, and inform me immediately if you discover who may be out to get me. You and I want the same thing—no, not that—we want to establish order, no matter the cost. That we must do so in spite of and on the suffering of those who wish to do me harm will only make the victory over their treachery all the more gratifying.
To the establishment of order,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen

[Richard Loh]

From Major Colson Maldris:

Gozran, 4713 AR
Defender of Freedom,
Greeting from the Andoren Embassy in Magnimar! Your efforts to grow the esteem of Andoran and the Eagle Knights in the City of Monuments bear fruit, and we're well on our way to establishing our own monument to the ideals that have driven us to this glorious place. We have made valuable allies among the bureaucracy running the city under Lord-Mayor Grobaras and the Golemworks, and even acquired a manor that I've now secured as my own home away from the embassy—a building whose name I'm keeping: Foxglove Manor! Even farther abroad, with your help, Andoran now stands in a good position with the people of Riddleport and Korvosa—well, at least those whose assistance and political connections we can use.
Despite our successes, the future is all but certain, friend. While our rivals in Cheliax are embroiled in their own petty squabbles—these things always follow wherever nobility and tyranny lead—others within the Pathfinder Society's inner circles have made inroads to influencing Varisia's future that we have been too preoccupied to notice. Those who hold allegiance to Lady Gloriana Morilla of Taldor and Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam of Qadira have not been idle, and already their influence in the region grows. Make sure we don't lose our focus now that our most visible rival seems to have been removed from the field of battle by her own people.
It is also of vital importance that you, as Pathfinders, assist the organization in its increasing battle against the newly discovered cult of Lissala, who have sinister aims for the future of Varisia. As the society works to combat the cult's efforts to return a sleeping runelord to the world, you can lead by setting an example of cooperation and tie the name of Andoran and the Eagle Knights to the ensuing victory over this fell evil.
My time apart from Absalom and Andoran has given me a new respect for Varisia and Magnimar, and I now see this region as another home. Our ideals are not restricted by political borders or geographical features, and my affinity for this land grows day by day. Ensure Varisia remains a fertile land from which freedom can blossom.
To tomorrow's glories,
Major Colson Maldris

[Richard Loh]

From Grandmaster Torch:

Gozran, 4713 AR
Diligent Ally,
Dark days are ahead for Varisia. As I am sure you are aware, the cult of Lissala has nearly concluded its millennia-long plans to awaken a runelord. Confronting the cult's leadership will be extremely dangerous, though not as dangerous as it would be for us to stand idle; in the coming days, bolster our role in the Society by standing alongside your allies, but come back alive.
Some congratulations are in order. Despite the Shadow Lodge's perception as outsiders, the rank-and-file Pathfinders respect our efforts. Even so, we receive little recognition from the leadership—more disdain than anything—and the threat of slumbering Thassilonian evil has overshadowed that of the Aspis Consortium. How the Decemvirate and the Heidmarchs can so blindly throw well-trained Pathfinders at one task while so blatantly ignoring another is inexplicable and inexcusable!
Still, don't let this discourage you! We have acquired several excellent allies and a few promising leads that I believe will pan out in the near future. When the time comes—and it shall be soon—be prepared to act as my hand in crushing one of the greatest threats to the society: the very ones who set Pathfinder against Pathfinder several years ago. When we stand before the venture-captains with proof in hand, they shall have no choice but to honor our efforts and listen more intently when we speak.
For now, stay vigilant.
Your strongest advocate,
Grandmaster Torch

[Richard Loh]

From Guaril Karela,

Gozran, 4713 AR
Trusted Friend,
Congratulations are in order, my friend! Your guile and clever words have earned us many allies, to say nothing of your influential arm-twisting, polite "suggestions," and timely messages dropped into waiting pockets. Of course, we're speaking of hypothetical tasks and nothing that would ever hold up in a Korvosan courtroom, right?
Just the other day I had the pleasure of telling one of our new friends to jump, and do you know what he did? He jumped! That is the type of loyalty and influence we need in the family, and we now command that type of power in Varisia. Certainly we have stepped on a few toes in our ascent, but with Varisia in hand, we should have little to fear on the home front.
Upon my return to Absalom with a cadre of cousins, you can imagine how displeased I was to find that our prestige has not grown there over the course of a year; apparently what happens in Varisia stays in Varisia, much to my dismay. We shall have to work diligently indeed to ensure that our family's name grows beyond the crowded territory.
In the meantime, keep a close eye on the Lissalan developments in Varisia. While a adopting a runelord as a client may at first sound like a lucrative proposition, do not allow short-term greed to threaten long-term survival. I have no doubt that it would not only undo our accomplishments over the past year but also make Avistan a much less comfortable place to run a legitimate business like ours. Scratch the Pathfinder Society's back in their fight against the Lissalans, and perhaps later they will scratch ours.
Stay sharp,
Guaril Karela

[Richard Loh]

From Amara Li:

Gozran, 4713 AR
Most Honored Associate,
I am so overjoyed that it is difficult to maintain proper decorum, so let me preface this by apologizing for any indiscretion this letter may contain. I have dedicated the last few years to the establishment of the Lantern Lodge in the Inner Sea and the increasing of our influence in our homeland in Tian Xia, and that effort is so close to paying off—in no small part due to your fine work, Pathfinder!
Even as I write this, the final details of a plan to bring the Hao Jin Tapestry completely under the Pathfinder Society's control are being ironed out, and it's only a matter of time before we can rightfully claim this gift to the Decemvirate as complete. When we are done, any Pathfinder will be able to use the tapestry as a means not only of traveling from Absalom to Varisia, but from the tapestry's location to anywhere they desire—perhaps even other planes of existence! Remain true to our cause and bring us all honor, friend. Our time is nearing.
We still have much to do to cement ourselves in Tian Xia as the Pathfinder Society has done in the Inner Sea region. I believe our efforts to prevent the Aspis Consortium and Golden League from allying too closely will be most beneficial, but making your allegiance to the Lantern Lodge known whenever you are in our homeland will also be of great help—as long as you act honorably. I still hope to establish contact with someone who holds sway over the remnants of the Way of the Kirin, but until that time, we must work with the Pathfinders of the Inner Sea to further our goals.
Keep the faith, Pathfinder! Sunrise is coming for our day of glory, in both the Dragon Empires and the Inner Sea. Until that day, you must work to aid your fellow Pathfinders in battling the terrible evil stirring in Varisia. The very foundation of our lodge is our cooperation with the Pathfinder Society of the Inner Sea in addition to other orders in Tian Xia; without such allies we have no hope of attaining our goals. Your brethren need you in the coming battle. Do me honor by standing beside your fellow Pathfinders before all of Varisia, and perhaps more, falls to ruin.
For honor,
Venture-Captain Amara Li

[Richard Loh]

From Amenopheus:

Gozran, 4713 AR
Faithful Servant of the Past,
I would be remiss not to open this correspondence with an account of the Ruby Prince’s condition, for as you likely know, he has been afflicted with a terrible curse from ancient Thassilon. I cannot say in truth that our beloved ruler is cured, but with your help and the efforts of Pathfinders like yourself, we have made headway in fending off the worst of the curse that plagues him.
Despite the outpouring of aid from Pathfinders throughout the world—and especially Varisia—I am still being personally blamed for the Ruby Prince’s condition. I admit that it was my hand that directed a Pathfinder to his court with an ancient Lissalan icon, but my position in Absalom and within the Pathfinder Society is now in dire jeopardy. Even if the Ruby Prince were to recover tomorrow (and by Nethys I wish he would), my time may be drawing to a close. And were he to perish from this affliction, I cannot guarantee that his successor would honor his policy of allowing the exploration of Osirion’s sands—which all Pathfinders should fear for the secrets that could again be lost below the dunes.
You remain my greatest hope to ease the Ruby Prince’s suffering. Even now, the Pathfinder Society is closing in on the cult of Lissala, which plans to restore a long-sleeping runelord to the world. With such ancient, untapped power buried beneath Varisia, surely the solution to our problem is linked to what you must do to prevent the cult’s plans from coming to fruition. Do all you can to stop the cult and seek not only an end to their plots, but a cure for our beloved Ruby Prince.
I know that you are close!
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage

[Richard Loh]

From Ollysta Zadrian:

Gozran, 4713 AR
Holy Paragon,
Although the dark history of Thassilon churns beneath the ground, the people of Varisia know the blessings of the light. Your good deeds have left a lasting impression upon that distant land. Every week I receive a tall, orderly stack of letters, each correspondence a report of another good deed or promise to combat evil whenever it rears its loathsome head. Not only are the followings of the Empyreal Lords growing in Magnimar, but our divine message has even touched the hearts of a few of those who walk Riddleport's streets.
Varisia may have embraced the good fight, but Golarion remains an immense place with limitless potential for both good and evil. As we consolidate our gains in Magnimar and the other cities, we must understand that victory in Varisia merely represents the first step in a great journey. Should the society's focus shift to other lands, be prepared to follow their gaze and carry our vision to new realms. It is fortunate that the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen suffered setbacks in the past year, as it provided us an opportunity to do good where her tainted touch would otherwise extend. Even so, do not underestimate her as she recovers from these self-inflicted misfortunes; she remains a canny manipulator and maintains a powerful range of resources.
For now focus on the most imminent and eminent danger: the cult of Lissala. While many Varisians are ready to defend our holy cause, we must rise to the challenge of stopping this evil before it realizes its full power. The Pathfinder Society has nobly accepted this difficult task—truly a sign that our enlightened philosophy is taking root—and you must be the shining paragon of holiness leading the offensive.
May the light be victorious,
Ollysta Zadrian