Dear Mother

621 MR: 5th of Anarire

My dearest Mother, I write to you from a room in the Crummy Crab in the Imperial City. I am not sure where to begin. I guess first of all I am fine. I have traveled far and wide this past year and a half. I have experienced pain like I never felt before both emotionally and physically. Is this what Father experienced when he adventured with Wil, Isaac, Roselyn, and his other companions? I guess you did warn me the world beyond Rohrmarch's borders was going to be dangerous. 

There is no easy way to say this. Henry, my childhood friend, is dead. He is now with his god Eloéle. I am still in mourning. I don't tell the others I travel with but I think about him all the time. I can't even describe what happened to him. We were in this other dimension on a mad quest from some foul elephant god. He wanted us to kill his enemy, called the Orange King, he said if we didn't we would perish from his minions of ape-men that surrounded us. He did promise us magic items beyond our imagination. This dimension had a purple sky and everywhere we looked was flat. It was all so fantastical, that I can't even put it into words to describe it. It doesn't matter...he is dead and I somehow feel responsible for his death. I know that sounds foolish, but that is how I feel.

He isn't the only one we lost. Do you remember Luka, the Vos? He and another companion who we met in Kashmara named Boris also was lost in our adventures. So much death, so many perils...I don't have enough ink in my room to write everything that has happened. It's only been 18 months but it seems like I have been away for a decade. I wanted to prove to you and father that I could spread my wings and create my own destiny. I believe I did that but it came with a price.

Brosen has changed on our adventures. I have changed too. I don't like what I have or am becoming. I don't really want to go into details but I have been hardened. I have made questionable decisions in my journeys. I sometimes wonder if my companions question my decisions. I am sure they do. You always taught me your mantra about being a leader. "Integrity, insight, and inclusiveness are the three essential qualities of leadership". I'm afraid I lack some of these qualities and it showed on my adventure. I am not sure I am cut out to be a leader like my father was. I need guidance from him more than ever.

I am sure you thinking right now why am I reading this letter instead of seeing me in person? No sooner did my companions and I get off the boat than we were met with two guards from the Imperial Palace and an intellectual from the college I presume. He had a smell of dusty old tomes and his attire had many pouches no doubt for his magical reagents. He goes by the name of Cornelius, have you ever heard of him? Should I be concerned?

Anyway, he and a few of his friends met at the Crummy Crab. One of his companions was a drunkard named Lee. The other who dressed as a dandy is named, James Farland. You should have seen the feather in his cap! I don't know what bird he plucked that feather from but it was larger than his head. They questioned us about our time in the port of Aduria about some fool name Virduk II. It would seem he is conquering most of Aduria and he has his eyes set on Darakeene. I guess the Emperor is concerned if he defeats Aduria that he will come across the straight and attack Anuire. I didn't want to go, to be honest, but Dalimyr would have, right? I know he is looking down on me from Haelyn's kingdom. I can't let him down. Do you think he would be proud of me? Anyway...the candle is almost at its end and quite frankly I am exhausted. I had a nice warm bath and its effect on me is like some sleep spell. I hope this letter finds you well, mother. 

Love you always,

Lucian