16th of Ymiden 721
Early Ymiden had been a flurry of social exposure, the likes of which threatened to overwhelm Woe at times. Whether it was this or that person clamoring for his time and attention. His children, Soraia, the Order of the Adunih business, Element business. Too many distractions pulled him in every which direction.
Finally, he had a moment to himself to parse what needed doing in Egilrun. Last season had proven fruitless in the effort to expose the anti-mage faction of Egilrun. And now the cat was out of the bag so to speak. Woe’s status as a mage would be well known at this point, certainly known to any secret society that made its business being aware of such things. He was a liability to the cause of outing the centipede. He’d need agents to do his work, but also, he’d need public relations person to deal with the sentiment that the Centipede kicked up in their fervor to stir people up against mages in general.
As one who’d kept his ear to the ground for several seasons now, Woe had learned of one particular point of contact within the Viden Academy, in Scalvoris’ campus. He was a well-regarded professor, and many other things besides. Perhaps a mage as well, although Woe didn’t know that for certain. What he did know, was that the individual knew much about magic, having an advanced degree int eh study of arcana, enough that he could teach it.
Woe needed this person, this Doctor Thorn, in order to drum up some pro-mage sentiment. Worst case scenario, he’d draw attention to himself from the Centipede, and get himself into a spot of hot water. In the best case, he could reverse the tide against the growing anti-mage movement. If Woe let this continue for many more seasons, they could end up with a situation akin to the Rynmere mage burnings. That was obviously something he wished to avoid, a Scalvoris was reasonably accepting of mages, with few exceptions made for the less admirable of magical fields.
So Woe invoked his Isolating calm, of Chamadarst’s blessing. Enjoying the silence was essential to clear his mind, and write what he needed to convince this Devin Thorn to visit Egilrun, or at the very least recommend someone who could start an educational program to build a levy against the tide of mage hatred.
He dipped his quill in the inkpot, and began scrawling his message, heedless of the crowd noise filtering in from the floors below his room in the North Lodge.
He started with what he already knew to write. The address, the date, the salutation. Then he paused over the exact argument and persuasion tactic he wished to employ. He didn’t want to alarm Doctor Thorn with rumors of anti-mage sentiment. After all, it was only a rumor as far as the rest of the town knew. He didn’t actually know how well spread that rumor was, but it’d reached a few ears since it came to light a few seasons ago.
Shaking his head clear of the confusion and thoughts, he began writing his message.
16th of Ymiden 721
To: Baron Smooglenuff
From: Woe Morandi
Your lordship:
I don’t believe we’ve met, but I have heard much about you. Particularly with regard to your astute study of the arcane arts. I don’t know if you are a mage, and if you are or not is irrelevant to my purpose. It is, however, on the basis of your reputation as a scholar of magic, that I call on you now.
I wish to make a proposal. I will offer a stipend either to you personally or a donation to the cause of your choice. For this, I ask only that you call on me in the North End Lodge in Egilrun. I wish to discuss an educational program for the people of Egilrun, to learn more about magic, and spread magic acceptance.
Magic is a tool, neither good nor bad, but in the right hands, it can accomplish great good. This is the core value I wish to instill in the children of Egilrun.
Sincerely,
Woe Morandi.
Having written the thing, he sent word for Gloom to join him in the North End Lodge, later on, to treat him to some good drinks and also persuade him to carry the letter to the Baron, wherever he could be found.
