Belswick: Letter found in Sarah Vennis' diary

I love writing out letters between NPCs, even (especially) if they don't get intercepted. For one, it's cool to give a real hand-out for players to keep. It also helps me collapse the nebulous quantum evil plot cloud in my head to specific plans. And with Skerples's post on medieval letters, it's fun to write these as well!

(Of course my players have been helping rather than investigating the biggest letter exchange; they haven't even asked to see the letters. Which is cool, because every new letter, I get to progress a dastardly plot one more step.)


In the case of the letter below, the text is a list of hooks to places to explore. The party found the body of Sarah Vennis, a nun of the Silent Order, in the Tomb of the Serpent Kings. Sarah's ghost told them she's been sent on a series of missions by a Rectrix Porthia in the Order of the Eye. (Dubious minor order, never heard of before.) Tilbørd, our party cleric/warlock/thief of the Order of the Scroll/Radiant Maiden, pried open the thick back cover of Sarah's diary and found the following letter with those quests.

Not clear what the party will be doing with this yet. They're in the basement of a sauna right now, getting ready to murder the wizard Vedric von Vermis during his birthday party.




(Notes in petrol. Some links lead to entries in the One Page Dungeon Constest or other adventures. Players: feel free to read those if you want, I know you don't cheat with out of character knowledge. Personally I think it's more fun to be surprised, but up to you!)

First rectrix Porthia to her student Sarah, greetings.


May the Authority guide you in all things. And as He guides you, may you search out places that trouble His Church. Word has reached us of the following events that deserve our attention.

Tilbørd's player choked on his coffee when he saw this list of chores. All his own mentor asks him to do is keep the noise down at night and help out in the church. "I already liked the old man, and that's before I saw the shit you have to do in the Silent Order."

On a hillside near Crossroads in barony Walden, a cave has opened to a forgotten crypt of the Ancestors. Ensure that no heresy reaches out and secure any scripture and artefacts.

This is where the party found Sarah, in the Tomb of the Serpent Kings because rocks fell and I needed a way to plant a note. Died exploring the very first item on her list. Sorry love.

Near Crossroads also, confer with Father Eustace of the Scroll and learn the health of the Keeper of the Third Seal of Saint Cascarrion.

Father Eustace is Tilbørd's mentor. He takes care of Hieronymus, an ailing Sleeping Priest in a temple at Old Crossroads. Hieronymous keeps a god-spirit of travel and hearth bound in dreams. Saint Cascarrion the living dead is the world's single remaining vampire and the Saint of the Third Lantern. His seal? The players have no idea.

Look into the riddle of a stream in barony Corsewall's northern Snake Mountain, where the water has turned foul and dark.

If you've read Johannes Cabal: Detective, you maybe remember The Tomb of Umtak Ktharl? Looking forward to this.

We hear stories of a cult to a being named the Messenger in barony Martin.

This ties into the backstories of two PCs: our pet lover Mike the druid and Guy the wizard. Caiphon Rising: it's going to be fun.

Lights and unsanctioned movement have been reported in Lake Ful. Ascertain whether this is a point of concern.

The church at Glourm in barony Ballumbie has sent no messenger since winter time. Enquire after their wellbeing.

You may recuperate from your travels at the Abbey of St. Wilk in barony Nether Stowey.

In the forest of Marrow in barony Corsewall, a black unicorn is said to preach unholy mass to hunters. Record its blasphemies and identify those that follow the beast.

There are rumours of witchcraft in barony Valbonnais. As you pass through, confirm the state of the locks under St. Ennis' crypt.

I honestly can't remember what I had planned for this. No prob, my binder of awesome adventures from the DIY scene will provide.

In all your travels, take care to stay away from Mt. Frostcrown in Ful. Terror dwells there.

No kidding. Death Frost Doom: here's a mostly spoilerless review. I've already written the Du'vanku into my campaign as the people responsible for the fall of heaven.

Go into the dark unafraid, for the Authority guides your hand.

- Porthia, Rectrix of the Eye