Renize L'Sirocco the Charm Mistress of the Inn, High Herald of the Eternal Star, Godfather of Voralian City

Role

Chapter 20

Hello to the dearest and most wonderful sisters a Fela could have,

Things have been sad for us lately, with Mom and Dad gone. I thought maybe it'd be
nice for us to write each other about the good times, about the things that have
made us smile lately? I'll start with the other day. I spent it with Laeden and
Daphedee and a new friend, Ameenotep. Laeden told stories, one about a deal with a
devil that predictably went South, another about a man who couldn't see the good
right in front of him for his obsessive need to see the flaws. I love his stories,
and he knows so MANY! We got to talking about the next Celestial Exhibition and
Laeden came up with the theme, Visions of Thera. It's meant to leans toward the
artist's ideal world, or perhaps satire of someone else's ideal. I'll be putting
out the call for submissions soon. I've already nudged this young Battlerager,
Izqi, toward coming up with something. Laeden, my beloved pessimist, called the
goals of some of the world's cabals "childishly utopian." It makes me very
curious to see what folks will come up with!

Oh, and I guess not even a GOOD day is always picture perfect. I spoke to the
Emperor. And yes, I still find it funny that I can share words with him as more or
less an equal while Rashaze is still stationed in a cow field. It's kind of hard
to explain the exact thing that we talked about, so I guess I won't. Suffice it
to say I didn't like his answer, but I found weird comfort in having something I
was worried about confirmed for exactly as worrying as I thought? There's nothing
to be done asbout it, so there's that. Oh and it doesn't have anything to do with
Rashaze. Don't worry.

Of course, I felt a little down afterward, but wonderful husband to the rescue!
Laeden talked me down, told me that story about the man obsessed with flaws,
changed the subject, and saved the day. Then I made choinons. I should bring you
some. A choinon is a type of pocket sandwich I probably invented, named for a
Battlerager who did some real jerk-style stuff to some acquaintances. Typically
choinons will contain a gravy or cheese or other type of sauce, and chunks of
whatever seems like it'll go well together all in a hot, crispy bread pocket.
YUM! But watch out! Piss off somebody in or near my circle of friends and you
might get a recipe named after you. Ha!

This day got me thinking later about all the bright and beautiful moments that
comprise life, and why most folks don't put the most emphasis on those. I'm
guilty of it. I don't want to be, and I'm trying to worry less these days. I
asked Daphedee and Whildur to try and think of a BEST moment, across their whole
lives. It's kind of a challenge for some! Anyway, when you write back, tell me
about your best moment, or just about a good day. We all need some cheer.

Love from your littlest sister,
Renize

Role

Chapter 9

Dear All of Y'all,

I've sent this exact same letter to every single one of you living in the cities.
Things are going down and I'm certain you're all in danger. I want you,--Mom, Dad,
Ketherr, Pyrille, Nochelle--to get out of Hamsah Mu'Tazz for a while--go see how
Rhauen is doing with the mines. Myriff, Efthairre, take your families to Aturi and
have a nice little getaway. I'm sure you've all noticed some weirdness in the
cities recently. I'm not sure what's really going on but please don't think I've
gone off when I say it may be of apocalyptic proportions. I just want you all to
be safe, and if that means lying low outside the major hubs of civilization, then
that's what you've gotta do. I'll let you know more when I've pieced it all
together, but for now, watch out for Knights or Kings (Mabelrode, Arioch) running
about causing havoc, and keep an eye on that comet. Something's coming.

With much love and concern,
Renize L'Sirocco

PS: Finally got married. Changed my name. Once this nonsense is over let's all
have a nice family get together.

Role

Chapter 10

Mom, Dad,

Hope you're doing well. I still really wish you'd go somewhere secluded a while,
but I understand if you've been feeling safe lately. Whatever cosmic nonsense is
going on HAS lain quiet for a while. I know you've got so many business concerns to
look after, too. That's why I'm writing, actually. I wanted you to know that I'm
about to attempt something within the thieves guilds that, if it succeeds, ought to
make you proud. I know you have never aprroved of my skill set since it's not
'legitimate work'. Soon, I'm going to try to offer my skills to a guild in a
leadership capacity. I don't want to say too much, since it's delicate and has the
possibility of failure, but I'm old enough to take some risks. Anyway, if I end up
wielding this level of influence, I hope it'll show you that I CAN do something
worthwhile. I'll even send you some coin as proof.

There is one other thing I was hoping you might be able to help with. I know all my
records are still in Hamsah, and I was hoping you might be able to pull some strings
to get my husband's surname recognized as my own? I can sign every letter in the
world Renize L'Sirocco, but nobody seems to actually want to CALL me that.

Love from your daughter,
Renize L'Sirocco

Role

Chapter 11

Hello to my wonderful beautiful artistic sisters Pyrille and Nochelle!

I'm sure my last letter kind of freaked you out, and it's been rather quiet on that
front, so I thought you should know Laeden and I are doing fine. But I had some
good news I wanted to share with you! So I know you remember how I'm a Herald of the
Eternal Star. Well, I've been doing enamel stuff as usual, but I haven't gotten much
public notice for the Heralds in the time I've spent as one. Since there's so FEW of
us, I've been considering how I could help AND also give other folks a hopeful little
glimmer--something you ought to have in times when the apocalypse is looming. Anyway,
I wrote Thavis about some of my doubts and he came back with this "just do it" sort
of inspirational stuff, so from that and some other ideas, I came up with the
Celestial Exhibition! I want it to be a recurring collection of art works, written,
visual, what-have-you, that we put on display for everyone to see. Eventually it'll
even include works from other artists Thera-wide, so everyone can participate. I'm
still in the getting-off-the-ground stages with it, for now, but I'm really excited
about it and just HAD to tell you. Anyway, that's all for now!

Love from your soon-to-be-famous Herald artist sister,
Renize L'Sirocco

Role

Chapter 12

I don't even know who I'm writing this to, honestly. Maybe it's more for me.
Sometimes I have to wonder about the decisions I make. Are they right, are they
sound, am I sane? Like the thing with the Galadon guild. I just wanted to leave well
enough alone. I didn't really want to get into Dargatha's plot to overthrow Brizda.
It seemed like an invitation to trouble. Then Graimid gets into it and all of a sudden
I feel like I have no choice. Of course it's a good thing to get the Empire out of the
guild. I know that. Right? So if I know that, then I should also know I REALLY
shouldn't be messing with Gaspare, but... Maybe I've been spending too much time
around Daphedee. I don't know. At first I thought he was just asking me to make an
enamel piece OF him. You know, a work of art with a deadly, dark subject. That I can
handle, that's just fine. But as we talked I realized when he said "decorate me" he
didn't mean make an art. He meant make HIM art. He wants me to carve or enamel or
gods only know... his bones. He wants me to decorate HIM. And he's going to pay me
250 gold to do it. And once I'm done, if he thinks I've disfigured him, he's going to
NOT pay me 250 gold. Instead he's going to pay me "his price" whatever that means. I
think it means murder. Gods help me I'm going to do it, too. The challenge is just
too...uncanny, enticing, terrifying, unique. What's wrong with me? I can't change
him by beautifying his bones. Can I?

Role

Chapter 13

Well it wasn't as bad as all that. I think I've been high strung lately. Laeden was
beyond supportive about the whole idea. What a wonderful husband I have. I made a
model of the design first, because that seemed like an excellent idea when the word
"disfigure" is so particularly subjective. Laeden gave it a look for me and words of
encouragement, then I took it to the Emperor. And...he liked it. So I carved it into
his skull. I do not have words for this experience. Carving a Lich's skull while a
ghost chills the air around you? It's hard to think about, so I sort of took myself
out of it and focused only on the work. And then, when I was done, Gaspare was
decorated. And he seemed very pleased about it. Afterward, the Emperor made his
initial payment and even offered me a tip. And then something Laeden said made me
remember that I was in a pretty good position to get a bit of peace between the Empire
and Tribunal at least considered. There is this Imperial order that Tribunals who
venture outside of their cities are to be hunted. Ugh. So I asked about it. And
Gaspare decided to let Laeden have a pass on roads. Well that's the first time I ever
tried my paw at diplomacy so I guess it's not a bad start! Maybe this will lead to
even more good.

Role

Chapter 14

Hi big brother,
I was hoping you could help me with something so I'm gonna lay it bare for you. When
we were growing up, I really resented you for not protecting me from Rashaze. I
thought you spent all your energy making us perfect for Mom and Dad and that what he
was doing to me wasn't important enough to put a stop to.

If you haven't stopped reading this letter by now, I want to make it clear that now
that I'm grown I do not think this of you. All of us kits were trying please parents
who cannot be pleased. Some of us did better than others. I became a Herald of the
Eternal Star. I am married to the Provost Magistrate of the Blood Tribunal who is
the ACTUAL best, most supportive, skilled, inspirational husband anyone has ever had
the privilege of being married to. I carved and enameled the skull of the Lich
Emperor of Thera, who has since referred to ME as one of Thera's finest artists.
Still, I barely stand on the precipice of making them proud of me before they're
gone, and I'm not sure I even want it. And it's 'cause I remember what it was like
to be bullied. I've got this friend who has some grand plans for the betterment of a
certain loose collection of organizations. You know. That thing in Voralian City.
I've been helping (and had help) with funding, and in a lesser capacity, recruitment
for the endeavor. Part of my leadership role is enforcing my personnel be free from
evil in their hearts. It's a REALLY LONG story that my friend would probably love to
tell you, but the important part is it's her life's goal for the absolution of her
soul. This has potential to earn me opposition I do not want, opposition that could
be lethal. Didn't I spend my whole childhood thinking my twin brother was going to
kill me? I never wanted this. I just want to be FRIENDS with everyone. But, you
know, the possibility that we could really make a change is seems like a good thing.
And maybe it won't be as awful as I always make stuff in my mind.

I'm not sure what I even really want you to give me for this. Maybe you'll do like
when we were kits and tell me I shouldn't be crying, that I need to put my best face
forward, and make sure the world sees that I am in control.

Rhauen, why didn't anyone ever let us think that beauty is vulnerable?

That's enough. Sorry. Write back.

Love,
Renize

Role

Chapter 15

Renize,

You worry too much, little sister. Put your best face forward. You are in control.
For what it's worth, I am sorry I didn't take better care of you when we were young.
If you think Mother and Father aren't proud of you, you're right. They aren't just
proud. They are in awe. I don't understand what it is about them that never allows
them to say it to any of us, but I suppose it is the same thing that forced them to
push us all so hard to succeed.

Don't trouble yourself with matters that are beyond your control. I know you can
roll with the punches as they come along. Beauty IS vulnerable. It is faceted. It
is smart, passionate, resilient, and nurturing.

Chin up,
Rhauen Vixe


RENIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Celestial Exhibition was incredible! And there's going to be more? Nochelle
joked about us leaving the caravans and coming to work for you, but I think we're
okay to stay out of the adventurer scene. Is there any more you've heard about those
divine portents and apocalyptic happenings? I'm sorry we never took your advice and
left town, but being a LITTLE paranoid about it has actually been good for business.
We had a ton of our good luck charms blessed and folks have been all over them. We
also keep some of your old works on display and it's done wonders to attract the fine
arts crowd, too. Hope it's okay we ride on the coattails of your fame since you DID
get started with us, after all.

Love ya sis,
Pyrille Vixe

Role

Chapter 16

I can be a bit of a chicken, I know that, and a lot of the time I need someone to take
me by the paw and lead me. A lot of me is really just my family or Laeden or Daphedee.
It's through them, and others sometimes too, that I learn who I am, what I want, who
I'm going to become. I look at them all and they seem so confident. Maybe they don't
even believe that about themselves, but I can see it, and it makes me want to try
harder, to be better, and to stand for something.

The situation between the Tribunal and the Empire fell apart. Gaspare landed himself
a warrant. Now it's something like a war. The Imperials see the law of the cities as
inferior, and demand the Tribunal back down. Laeden is never going to do that. And
he shouldn't. If he gives them an inch, they'll run all over doing whatever they
want. His Magistrates might even lose faith. I worry about him, but I know the best
thing I can do is feed his confidence, and gods it is inspiring to see him take them
on. But I do worry. He's told me before how tired he gets of the incessant fighting.
We used to kid around about shipping off alone to a desert island, and he even said
that can't happen now. He's shining brightly, and I don't want him to burn out. So
I do what I can. I give him my love.

What else can I do? Maybe little things here and there to help or hinder. Maybe my
perceived neutrality is a weapon? Maybe the right word in the right ear has power.
Look there, Daphedee's words, my pen. But I'm not as willing as she is to skirt the
line. Getting friendly with the Empire is out of the question. It's funny. It's
reminiscent of growing up with Rashaze all over again. Too bad he's exactly the
same kind of stuck up that's causing all this strife, else I could take advantage
of being related to him.

I told Laeden I have this fantasy, and in it everyone comes together over drinks and
says, "This is stupid. We should stop." And then they do. Wouldn't that be nice?

Role

Chapter 17

I keep having this dream. Well, it's a nightmare. In it, a tide rises past my
shoulders, to my neck and ever higher. I resist it, stretching, and spit salt water.
But it's no use. I am drowned and there's no swimming my way out of it 'cause my
stubborn paws are merged with the sand. I am powerless to stop the deluge. And so
when I'm finally underwater, I open my eyes. As my held breath releases and water
floods my lungs with my involuntary inhalation, I think, "This is my final work of
art, to be picked clean by fish."




Ketherr,

Been a while, yeah? I was happy to hear about you getting your own shop. That's a
long time coming, you deserve it, brother of mine! It's funny how far we've all
come since we were kits, isn't it? I've even been thinking about putting down roots
of my own. Laeden got to talking about kits again, you know, 'cause everyone else
expects us to have some. And you know me, I've been wary of the notion since always.
Would adventurers make good parents? But we're not getting any younger. Anyway,
since he's Provost and all and saddled with more enemies than we can count on all
our claws, we'd have to keep a family very hush hush. So I've been looking around
at houses out in quiet little burgs. At first I thought Silverpine would be great,
but there's no family near there, and then I started looking in Aturi. Well, you
know, Myrrif and Efthairre both live in Seantryn, and our nieces and nephews are
scattered there and to the South. It'd be nice. Anyway, with all this domesticity
on the table, I've been thinking a lot about cooking. I've thought about it for
years, honestly, since Laeden tends to eat scraps and rats and whatever he can sniff
out. And you know better than any of us that food brings people together. I've
always wondered about other avenues of inspiration I could try. Right now I could
really use a change. Anyway, send me some of your recipes?

Love,
Renize

Role

Chapter 18

Mother passed, and it's awful to say, but I'm sure Father won't be too far behind
her. She seemed to know it was coming. She called us all home. She asked us all
for forgiveness, but she wouldn't say for what. Still, we knew, and we gave it. It
took her whole life for the understanding to come to this strange, diverse family of
ours. Yes, they love us. Yes, they are proud. It's even clear to see now as I
look back on things. I feel bad for Rhauen, as he's the eldest, everything will go
to him after Father passes, it means sorting through their affairs. There'll be a
funeral, mourning. Right now? Still shock. It was good to see everyone even at a
time like this. I embarrassed myself by flinching when Rashaze reached out to
comfort me. Some things never change.

And then there are the other things.

Daphedee asked Raltevio to guide her spirit to Gaspare after she passes. She's
given up her chance at Elysium and lost her magic for it. She thinks she might be
able to save Gaspare and his ghostly wife. But if he doesn't want saving? I can't
even begin to understand the implications. It just feels like waiting for the end.
And Daphedee's just so matter-of-fact about it. Even though I'm terrified for her,
I accept her choice. She's doing it for the right reasons, after all. But
constantly being reminded of her inevitable demise? It almost feels like I'm
missing her before she's even gone. She'd tell me to enjoy the time that's left.
That's damn good advice, actually. I think I might feel better if I heard it from
Gaspare, what it means to him that Daphedee plans to send her spirit to him after
she dies. I have to know he won't ignore her, that he will let her have her voice,
that he'll listen and treasure her friendship. She sacrificed so much for him, and
it needs to matter to him. I know this isn't about me, but I love Daphedee so much,
and I can't stand for this to be in vain.

I talked to a young thief named Ild for a while today. She told me about her
grandpa and some of the wisdom he used to dispense. I don't quite have the quote,
but it was something like: people would do nothing but change the past if they
could. In doing this, we would ignore the present, thus ensuring we have no future.
The past and future are in the gods' hands. We only effect the present. It was
something like that anyway. I've been fretting. It's hard not to. Laeden is so much
older than I am. If I...if I lose both of them at the same time, I don't think I
can keep it together. Laeden gave me my...inheritance? In case something happens,
he said. It took everything I had to not burst into tears in the middle of the
bank in Udgaard. I'm playing at this strength I just don't have. Is it fooling
them? It's not fooling me.

Role

Chapter 19

Dear Biggest Brother,

Things have changed again like they always do. Mom and Dad gone, makes me feel a
lot older now. I can only imagine what it's like for you. I dunno if any of the
other sibs have offered a paw sorting through, but I'm here for you whenever you
want the help.

Things are quiet for me, mostly. Dargatha, my co-conspirator in the guild stuff
abandoned her post or passed on or something. I've had no word from her. Her
replacement in Galadon stepped up almost immediately, but I didnt have my paws in
that pie like I did with Dagdan. There is still more to do, and this newcomer, Ild
is a decent enough gal at least. I just can't abide the mage-hunting philosophy
she shares with her peers. So, I'll see what she does with her new guild. If I
like it, she can keep it, but if she does something stupid like give my husband too
much trouble, she's going to be my next target.

I write words like that and sound like a real crime boss. Yikes! Don't think of
me like that. I'm still working toward Dargatha's goal of uplifting the moral
station of my profession. And I have help, a great mouthpiece, Xalcorin, who's on
board with the whole changing perceptions thing. It's slow going. Daphedee said
this is something I'd be doing my whole life.

Enough about my business. Let's talk Vixe shop. How are the mines? Are the ships
on schedule? And how are you? You know I'm there if you need anything. Just write.

Love,
Renize

Role

Chapter 8

Renize,

I am glad you wrote me. I am stationed in the countryside, yes. This post does
not see much action. I see it as a test of my perserverance. I am still green as
far as the Empire is concerned, but I will prove myself. Your letter has dismayed
me. Why do things that happened when we were mere kits still matter so much to
you? I was a child. You were a child. From what I have read, you are still a
child. You should be grateful for the trials I put you through, for at least it
has made you a willful child. I hope you will find your path to greatness. You
still have time to make our mother and father proud. Perhaps one day you may even
stand tall as a citizen of the Empire.

Your brother,
Rashaze


Littlest sister,

As the only other one of my siblings who purposefully went out into the world
intending to disappoint Mother and Father, all I can say is I'm surprised you don't
know the answer to your question already. BE YOURSELF. You're always, always
going to miss the mark with someone, but if you let that stop you from being true
to who you are, you've already accepted failure. That doesn't sound like you at
all.

Love from your runaway ranger brother,
Thavis Vixe


Baby sister!

Efthairre passed your letter along to me and said I should write back because her
kits are a pawful and mine are better behaved! First of all, congratulations on
your engagement! I never got the chance to meet your fiance when he was on patrol
in Seantryn, but he did have a good reputation, so I'm sure you've done well for
yourself. Now, moving on to your question about wedding vows. There's an art to
it, which we both know is YOUR THING, so the best advice I can give you is to let
them reflect who you are and what you promise to him. For example, Efthairre wrote
hers about family and future and dedication because all along she's dreamed of
being a mom. We BOTH married for love (don't let Mother or Father ever convince
you it was for business--that was just a perk they happened to win into) but what I
wanted back then was different. My vows were all about steamy passion and endless
nights. So, you could go a lot of different ways with them. It got me thinking
about what matters to you. You're all about your enamel work, for example, you
could always metaphor about that. Anyway, I've got to end this note here. The
kits want to go look at seabirds on the docks.

I love you little Rennie,

Myriff

Role

Chapter 21

The strangest day in a long time, perhaps ever, happened today. When I woke,
Daphedee was upset, and you know something's wrong when she's upset 'cause she
always manages to be so positive. So I went to meet her in Yanoreth's library.
Cousin Tanzer was there, already. There'd been rumors of Gaspare's death. His
second death? His final death? Daphedee kept saying it must be a mistake or a
ruse. Sort of in denial. And why shouldn't she be? If Gaspare IS gone, there's
nothing she can do to help him or his wife now. Tanzer and I figured where's the
harm in her thinking that it IS a mistake until we know for sure. I couldn't say
much else because I was overwhelmed with relief. If he's gone, really gone, then
she can have, I don't know, some kind of peace maybe, after she goes. I didn't
know then what it might mean for her, since Elysium is closed to her now. Tanzer
gets it though. We both know she'll be okay. She's the strongest person I know,
and like I told Deithiivesra later, she has so many people still who love her,
who would support her through anything.

As for what will happen when she goes, it was much later that same day that
Raltevio happened to find me making the trek to Thar-Acacia. We accidentally
started some trouble with the watch at the gate and had to play statues after we
made it in. What do you do while standing stock still? You talk. So, since he
was the one who was going to sort of shepherd her soul after the inevitable, I
asked him what would happen to Daphedee now. He thought maybe she could sail on
the stream of time, beneath the moonbeams or have a spot in his tower. I hope
wherever she does go is somewhere she can be happy and free. I'm really thankful
Raltevio showed up when he did. Sometimes you just need to hear good news.

Role

Chapter 22

Later I spent time with Deithiivesra and Ild. It's a little odd but the both of
them are growing on me. After today I kinda wish I hadn't talked all that crap
in my letter to Rhauen about Ild being in the Kingpin spot. Something strange
happened, and I was kind of a callous turd about it at first. It was so weird,
for a while I honestly thought I was dreaming. Getting drunk and having a laugh
seemed the sanest option. Deithiivesra's flesh golem stopped obeying her orders
and started talking. Well, it was more like grunting, but after a while we
figured out it was trying to communicate. It seemed to like Ild, and they
figured out it wanted to go be with her. She just wanted to put it back to rest,
so we trekked to Avderlain's holy place and did just that. It's strange,
knowing a Battlerager who holds mercy in such high regard, and shows it to
others, even a mishmash of people cobbled together by necromancy. And it's
stranger still to know a necromancer who allows her cobbled together servant the
freedom to decide its own path in life. And then even stranger than that is the
notion that this could mean any unfortunate undead creature anywhere could have
a latent soul. So. I'm humbled today. A Battlerager and a necromancer are
both more merciful than I am. Just goes to show you can't assume anything about
anyone.

Role

Chapter 23

Dearest brother Thavis,

It's a wild time these days. Thera's moving and shaking, even in my circles.
The Lich Emperor Gaspare was laid to rest. I think I told you how dear he was
to Daphedee. She sacrificed a lot for him. She's very broken up, and there
doesn't seem to be much I can do to help. She lost others, too, in the same span
of days. I told her, whenever it hurts, to try and think of a reason to smile.
She's not doing it, though. She had a keepsake from Gaspare that seemed to make
her feel better, the hourglass that once contained his wife's soul, but it was
lost after being stolen by the worst person ever. Daphedee seems ever more
fatalistic now. Cousin Tanzer has been there to help, but now? He's become a
godling. We're fifty-seventh cousins forty-three times removed to an honest to
the gods god. I'm rather proud of him. But when you're already mourning like
Daphedee is, having a cherished presence suddenly set apart...? Well. It must
be a lot to deal with. I'm doing my best, but I feel so useless. How do you
help when you can't help? The gap between who I am and what she's gone through
is too big, and maybe there's no amount of "I love you and I want you to be
happy" that can ever bridge it. All I know how to do really is BE there. She
stepped down as High Herald, too, and Raltevio passed the mantle on to me. It's
bittersweet, but if I can be even half the High Herald she's been for me I'll
consider it my greatest accomplishment.

Continued...

Role

Chapter 24

Oh, and there's more. I mentioned that worst person ever? His name is Agilus
and apparently the legacy he's trying to leave is "be the most hated thief of
all time." I helped fund the coup in the Blackclaw guild that would've given
Xalcorin the seat as Spymaster, but to keep a long story short, it didn't go as
planned. We're still sorting through our options there, but Agilus retains
leadership in Blackclaw for now, leaving Xalcorin and Wiggam guildless. Ild
and I both will gladly accept them into one of our guilds if we can't do
something about Agilus. Ild seems to have taken an interest in uniting the
guilds, too. However, it's not in the same way Dargatha wanted to, by clearing
out the evil influences. She wants to include Caecilius, who also happens to
be the new Emperor of Thera. Politics are to be left at the door, of course,
when it comes to the Rogues. Well, except for the internal politics regarding
guild leadership. I'm sort of relieved for two reasons. Avoiding enmity with
the Empire is one, and the other is I can keep on quietly amassing funds for
when we need them, rather than focusing on recruitment efforts, secrecy, and
subterfuge. Besides, I have my paws full.

Continued...

Role

Chapter 25

And the Empire! Well Caecilius got right down to business and issued an edict
outlining terms for peace. It was received almost exactly the way I thought it
might be, with Laeden, Lathlaeril, and Qaqah all responding publicly by telling
him they'll be going about their business as usual. I'm not sure if the
Village, Scarab Cult, and Outlanders even bothered with a formal response, but
Bilgritik did bring me the Imperial Codex right after and try to get me to
deface it. I hesitated, of course, and he wound up running it off somewhere
else, much to my relief. Daphedee responded to Caecilius' edict as well and
said we'd pretty much behave ourselves but could he please ensure Centurions
aren't placed on East Sumner's road between Voralian City and the Crossroads.
Hopefully he's more amiable to this request than when we tried to get Xalcorin
to quit plopping traps all over the place out there. Anyway, now that I'm High
Herald, I'll treat the situation the way Daphedee intended.

Wow, apparently I had a lot I thought you needed to get caught up on. That's
what you get for camping out in the snow and never visiting. Still, sorry the
letter wound up so long. Hope you hunkered down to read it somewhere cozy.

Love,
Renize

Role

Chapter 26

Condolences, condolences. I woke to so many, from his allies and enemies
alike. It didn't feel real at first. I asked cousin Tanzer to tell me it was
all a dream. It didn't feel real to him either, and denial was a small
comfort. I pinched myself to check, and I couldn't even feel that. I went
to Galadon and made coffee for the magistrates, bless them. Annkhu and
Aesoakob, all of us experiencing his loss in our own way. They'll be all
right, he groomed some good ones. After, I went up the mountain and all
alone, I talked to the sky. To him.

I feel very small and very cold and very lost. I have no words, just tears
and a clenched jaw and nausea. Daphedee's been telling me for years how close
the end is. I could have listened better. I could have been prepared.
Except you never can be prepared. I'm glad I'm so old. Really. Maybe I'll
get another fifteen, twenty years. What's that compared to a lifetime spent
together? Before I know it, I'll see him again. He always told me I was an
optimist, that I brought out the best in him. Did he know what he brought out
in me? Oh how this hurts. I didn't know it was going to hurt like this.
Laeden, I love you, I love you, I love you. Save me a story. I won't be too
long, and then we'll have eternity.

Role

Chapter 27

Big Sis Nochelle,

Thank you for the letters and the presents. It's been hard without Laeden.
Daphedee said I'd see him everywhere I went, and she's been right so far.
It's funny to think about how much of the world we saw together. But that's
not why I'm writing. I just wanted to let you know that I will be okay. It
didn't feel that way at first, but I kept waking up in the morning and I'd go
outside and the sun would be shining just as bright as ever. I don't know why
Daphedee can't seem to see it. I've tried everything I can think of and I
guess I'm just going to leave off now 'cause I think I've started to annoy
her. She wants to be sad, I guess. I don't really understand it, but she's
got well over a thousand years on me. Maybe I just CAN'T understand her, but
I hope she knows I care. Anyway, I've kept busy and it seems to help. It's
funny, but the newly appointed Provost, Qinsa, has helped in his own weird way.
He's an odd one, lots more traditionally feline than we were brought up to be,
and I guess he fancies me, although he knows I'm in mourning. I mentioned this
to Bilgritik when we were talking about how the sun keeps on shining, and he
told me not to go swooning over any more lawmen. I told him my promise to
Laeden was forever and that I aim to keep it. Bil's always been such a good
friend. There aren't many like him left. But I'm making new ones, too. The
new Heralds, for example. They're a merry bunch, and boy do they like a good
adventure. I've been feeling my inspiration coming back. I want to get us to
pool our talents all together on a big idea. I just have to pin down what that
idea IS. What do you think?

Love from your littlest sister,
Renize L'Sirocco

Role

Chapter 28

Rashaze,

I thought you might like to know about something Daphedee's been planning.
She and I have talked a lot about keeping busy in the face of our respective
losses, and it certainly does help. Anyway, her idea is to start an arts
scholarship in Gaspare's name for the Empire, you know, to foster creation
and keep the Imperial Hall of the Arts full? She's offering 100 gold to
worthy artists, too. We both know how I feel about the Empire, but I'm still
going to help support because, well, it's Daphedee, and I'll be damned if I'm
going to leave her hanging. Do you think you might ever try a paw at the arts
yourself?

Your sister,
Renize L'Sirocco


Renize,

I never met the Lich. I am almost certain a report with my name on it never
crossed his desk. To think some paint slapped on a canvas is worth more
recognition than years of dedication...

I am done, sister. I have given a lifetime in service to this Empire, and my
service has not been recognized nor appreciated. This continues to be no
different under a new rule. I wish a change of scenery. If I have to look at
another pile of cow shit or a cowering peasant, I will lose my mind. I shall
die having seen life through my own eyes, not simply through the eyes of
conquest.

I am humbling myself, Renize. I am asking for your help. I will be hunted
and slain as Anathema. You will hide me, won't you sister? My fur is going
white. I could disappear and never be recognized. An old Felar in a big city
is beneath anyone's notice.

Rashaze Vixe

Rashaze,

Think before you write. Slapping together works of art has been my entire
life. Anyway, you're nuts and you're making me complicit in how nuts you are.
If I help you, you're gonna do MORE than just hide from the Empire, Brother
Anathema. You're putting down that unholy sword of yours, for one. When you
go underground, you're gonna do good work, helping the less fortunate, for two.
For three, you STILL owe me an apology. I wrote to you about my terms decades
ago. Take it or leave it. If you leave it, good luck with the Empire on your
own. Maybe Ketherr will let you slice meat in the back room of his shop.

Ever your sister,
Renize L'Sirocco

Role

Chapter 29

Dearest sister Myriff,

You know what I've been talking and thinking about lately with a lot of
different people? How we leave our marks on the world. I think the point is
to leave the world better for having lived in it. That's what I try to do,
anyway. I don't know how to guarantee anything, but I know I can make an
impact on the people I care about. Take my friend Balgrum, for instance. He's
a holy Dwarf, a scribe with the Fortress of Light, one of Avderlain's faithful.
A tough path to walk, let me tell you. He's had some bad turns lately, drawing
Temperance from the deck of fate (legendary thing, long story, will explain in
another letter, just know it's pretty unfortunate), and trying to be a Dwarf of
mercy in the midst of a relentless and insulting war. It's been getting to
him, giving him thoughts of vengeance and of giving up. So, you know, I gave
him that pep talk about leaving the world a better place, and how there's
people in the Fortress who NEED him, and how people aren't just the worst thing
about this world, but they're also the BEST. I cracked a joke, got a "Har
har!" out of him. I hope I helped.

My friend Ild went through an awful time, too, victimized by a war. I won't
write what happened to her. It's a secret. But she came to me in a time of
immense need of a friend, for somebody who could promise her it would be okay
and mean it, and I'll be damned if I'm ever going to let her down. It took me
a while to realize it, but Ild means a lot to me. Who'd have thought, I
married a mage, and now a Villager is one of my truest friends. But anyway,
that's what I mean about leaving the world better for you having been in it.
Aerafr told me that the spirits of the land are all emotion and memory, and
maybe I'm a little more complex than that, but I want the emotion to be
somewhere in the realm of joy, inspiration, awe. I want the memories to be
beautiful: smiles, kisses, laughter.

Listen to me go on.

Love from your littlest sister,
Renize L'Sirocco

Role

Chapter 30

The home is an organizational disaster. It nearly drowns in a sea of paper.
Stacks of scrolls litter the edges of the narrow pathways that lead from room
to room. The majority of space is taken up with crates upon crates. Several
hold bits of broken or unfinished sculpture. Clay faces peek out between
wooden slats. Here and there hangs an arm of stone. Yet other cases are
filled with tools, knives of varying sizes, chisels, soup ladels. Various
cookbooks are stacked, almost to the ceiling in places. Pigments in a corner,
vessels of powdered glass and thin cloisonne wires are pushed up against a
doorway. And wedged into in each box, haphazard forgotten folded papers
abound. It's everywhere. Everything is everywhere. There doesn't seem to be
rhyme or reason to how the supplies are stored. Furniture is mostly
inaccessible, and in the corners of the room, it is clear from the depth of the
dust, that many items have not been disturbed for a long while. One of the
pathways between paper and crates leads to an open window to which has been
rigged a platform on a system of pulleys. With the tug of a rope, it could
lift a person and cargo easily up to the roof, the only available open
workspace left in the home.


Sister of mine,

Rashaze turned up at the shop. Head to toe cloaked, he was, all nerves.
Said he left his post. Looking for a job. Said you asked the impossible
of him when he wanted to be hid. Said you told him to see me, slice meat.
Sure you had your reasons, but family's family. I put him in the back,
showed him the cuts. He's got me worried. Goes out in the wee hours,
don't know what he gets up to. Says hunting. Brings in fresh meat,
already butchered. Tells me duskhorn venison. Camel. Oryx. Others.
Appreciate his productivity. Don't know if I believe him about the meat.

Thought you might have insight. What you went through. Has my little
brother changed a bit? Danger to me too, yes? Keeping him here?

Love,
Ketherr

Role

Chapter 7

Hi Efthairre,

I've been thinking about you and Myriff lately. I seem to have misplaced her
address, though. I don't suppose you could share this letter with her whenever
you two catch up? Anyway, I'm so delighted to hear about your kits! I hope
they're healthy, and I'll make time to come see them soon! I have good news,
too. I'm going to be married! You remember, I wrote to you about Laeden a while
ago? I've been so happy with him. It occurred to me that you and Myriff are,
besides Mother and Father, the only two I know who've done this successfully for
any length of time. Folks have been telling me I have so much to think about,
food and dresses and dates and locations, but to me, my vows seem like the most
important thing. I remember thinking yours and Myriff's were rather poetic. I
wish I'd written them down. You two were so beautiful at both your weddings. We
don't have a date set, yet, but I'll be sure to send out invitations. I
understand if everyone can't make it. We've all got so much going on.

Love from your littlest sister,

Renize

Role

Chapter 6

Thavis,

It's been a long while since I've heard from you. I hope everything is going
well at the encampment. I visited a while ago, but they told me you were on a
long patrol. The chill is something else down there! You better be staying warm.
Listen, I had something I hope you could help me with? Don't take this the wrong
way, but I've always admired how you let Mother and Father know you were going to
do with your life what YOU wanted, whether or not it impressed them. I think some
of our other brothers and sisters appreciated you setting out on your own, even if
we all missed you. Seeing you make your own way inspired me to do the same when I
left home, and I've gotta say it's gone well. I'm nervous though. You remember I
used to work the caravans with Pyrille and Nochelle, selling our little charms.
Well, I've taken that skill beyond my wildest imaginings as a Herald of the
Eternal Star. I'm getting ready to go even further and hold a few exhibitions. I
worry that my work might fall short of impressive. It may be a bit too personal
for people to relate to. Do you suppose that even matters?

Keeping you in my thoughts,

Renize

Edges

Flaws

Racial Edges

Class Edges

Edges

Mob Deaths

Timeline

Leveling History

PK Deaths

PK Wins

Title History

Skill List

Skill List

PK Statistics

PK Gank-O-Meter

Immortal Comments

Immortal Comments

Role

Chapter 1

Much of Renize's personality was influenced by her eight elder brothers and sisters.
She was born the last kit of the last litter her mother and father produced.
Renize's parents still live in Hamsah Mu'Tazz, but she and her siblings have
scattered to every corner of Thera. To remain close to them, she fashioned a piece
of jewelry to represent each sibling, so she can remember them despite the distance.

The first litter had a lot to live up to. Mother and Father planned that they take
the family business to the four corners of Thera, and groomed them for this task
from their first stumbling steps. Rhauen, he's the ruby, he is the eldest of them,
and I remember him less as a brother and more as...an authority figure? Rhauen was
always just a little Father, taking his work so seriously, and I guess it did
wonders for him. He's to the north, overseeing purchases for a mining operation we
own a part of. Then there's Myriff, my eldest sister. She's sapphire, and she
always made sure the little sisters were fine and clean and pretty and proper.
Myriff got married, along with my other eldest sister, Efthairre (she's the
diamond) to a pair of brothers from Seantryn Modan who own a shipping company.
They're rich and comfortable which is always the life they wanted. The emerald?
He's my other brother from the first litter, Thavis. I think the pressure to go be
rich and proper was always too much for him. He ran off to ranger in the frozen
wastes years before any of the others left.

My parents, of course, couldn't just stop expanding their little empire, so they
had two more litters. The middle group, they saw a lot less discipline growing up
than did the older four. Ketherr, the amethyst, he has been an apprentice butcher
since forever. I don't know if he'll ever get his own shop, but it's been his
dream. Pyrille and Nochelle, the topaz and pearl, my sisters, they taught me so
much of my artistry. I'd never have learned to work enamel without them. I'm so
grateful! They run a little mobile shop along the caravans, selling trinkets and
souvenirs, pretty little things like that. I worked in it for a bit before...

I'm a twin, did you know? Mother and Father wanted just one more litter, so they
wound up with me and Rashaze. Onyx. He's a few minutes older than me. Makes me
the baby of the family. We grew up so close, when we were tiny kits, but he fell
in with a group of boys. I never liked them much. They bullied me and they
changed Rashaze. I remember...

Role

Chapter 2

"Wait! Wait, Rashaze! I'm coming too!"
Renize scrambled after the disappearing figure of her twin brother, tail flailing
in the dying desert sunlight. The boys always left her behind, and after the
torments of the previous day, she wasn't going to stand for it. They'd see she
was just as good as they were.

When she finally caught up to them, the group was circled around something, taking
turns hitting it with a sand-bleached length of wood. Renize pushed her way into
the circle and cried out in dismay. It was a hare, injured badly but still
struggling to escape. They weren't trying to eat it, they were just beating the
poor thing out of cruelty.

"Rashaze! Stop it!"

The boys whirled around to face her, and the group's leader gestured at Rashaze
with the stick. "Your stupid sister needs to go home. Get her out of here."

"Go home, Renize," said Rashaze, coldly.

Renize ground her hindpaws into the sand and stubbornly refused to move. The boy
with the stick swung it around and paced behind Renize, then swung it hard into
her tail. The shock sent her sprawling, and when Renize was able to look behind
herself, her tail hung at an odd angle, broken.

Role

Chapter 3

...I lost it, the other half of my tail. I lost my brother that day, too. The
bullying didn't stop. I had to learn to hide from him. Eventually Rashaze went
with those boys to pledge an oath of Blood to the Empire. I used to steal his
stupid Imperial propaganda pages and fold them into butterflies and unicorns. He
would retaliate. I enameled this idiot Imperial coin he thought was the greatest
thing to look like a ladybug. I left home because... After being too busy with
the family business, and completely ignoring his abusive behavior, Mother and
Father were proud of him! For "being something greater than himself." All
Rashaze is doing is bringing pain, cold ugly pain, into the world now. I can do
better than that. And I will. Somebody has to make up for everything he's
ruining.

I still wish I had my brother back.

Role

Chapter 4

Rashaze,

I didn't really want to, but I found you. Since I've got talent, and I care
about this sort of thing, I became a Herald of the Eternal Star, doing the same
kind of enamel work I used to out in the caravans with Nochelle and Pyrille. I
met the High Herald Daphedee, and mentioned you to her. I figure you've heard
of her. Since she's pretty famous, she's got connections enough that she was
able to talk to Emperor Gaspare and get me the location of your post. You're
safe? Out in the countryside? Not a whole lot going on out there. Maybe
you're bored? Look. Daphedee told me some things about your Emperor and talked
to me a bit about regret and letting things go, and I realized maybe I could be a
little more understanding about you doing what you did. So, I'm sorry I didn't
talk to you for years and let you get lost out of my life. But I want an apology
from you too. You hurt me for years, and I still don't know why. I wound up
blaming it on the Empire, and I let all that nonsense push me away from Mother
and Father, too. They're so proud of you. I want to be, too. I want my brother
back in my life, but like I said, I've got terms.

Write me back if you care,

Renize

PS: I found something in my stuff. See attached.

Attached is an old Imperial coin, enameled over in red and black, like a ladybug.

Role

Chapter 5

My dearest and most wonderful sisters whom I love, Pyrille and Nochelle,

I thought I should write to you and tell you what it's been like as a Herald of
the Eternal Star. It's been wonderful! Things were really great working the
caravans with you, but here I think I can make the sort of difference I've always
wanted to. I'm making the kind of art I want to make here, not just what we know
will sell. I've been making a decent living as a thief, nothing Mother and
Father would actually be proud of, but you know how they're not pleased unless
our pockets need mending from being burst by coin. Anyway, there are a lot of
great folks around, too, so I'm not lonely like you worried I'd be. I've even
met a handsome Felar scholar. He does magic! Shapeshifting. It's very
interesting to watch. He's a lawman, too. Currently keeping watch in Seantryn,
but I bet he's not long for a promotion. I'll have to write Myrrif and Efthairre
to see if they've met him. I'm not gonna kiss and tell, but he kissed me and I
intend to let him kiss me as much as he pleases. I know you are both giggling.
Shut up.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know how I'm doing. Give my love to Mother and
Father and the sibs if you see any of them.

Your dearest and most wonderful sister,

Renize