Regarding the Orphanage

Several moons ago, a contingent of townsmembers ventured to an orphanage where there were orphans indoctrinated by Balfurous and his minions. If you were in attendance during this visit, I humbly request that you send me a missive with an account of what went on there, or meet with me at the next Baronial Feast at your earliest convenience.


Warmest Regards,

Nalick Underhill
Cleric of Andorra
Viceroy of Ostcliff

Nalick,

I was present. I would prefer to speak with you in person about it. If you end up not being able to wait to meet up, I will send a missive.

Caldor

**NOT THALIA!**

Mr. Underhill,

My name is Matilda Catchlove. I am the current caretaker of the children you were writing about.

While I was not there when this incident occurred, I have been placed in charge of those who still remain at the orphanage - although we have started referring to it as a school. I have spent the last several months working with them, trying to help them.

If you wish to discuss their current conditions, please feel free to contact me. I will - with any luck - be venturing into the town proper for the upcoming Winter Festival. It depends on how things are sitting on that day.

Matilda Catchlove

Caldor,

Meeting in person is perfectly fine! Since the Lord-Admiral made the offer, perhaps over a glass of wine.

Ms. Catchlove,

At the moment, I am more concerned with the incident than what went on afterward. While I wish I could be present for the Winter Festival -- I have prior, more pressing engagements in Mordavia scheduled for the same date. That said, I look forward to getting to know you at future Feasts.

I was there, let us speak in private.

I was there for a time. Write me a letter if you have any particular questions.

Mr. Patterson,

Will you be at the next Feast or shall I drum up some parchment?


Nalick Underhill

Master Nalick,

If you choose to make such vile accusations against a number of townsmembers I ask that you at least have the gall to voice them publicly.

Ketryn wrote: Master Nalick,

If you choose to make such vile accusations against a number of townsmembers I ask that you at least have the gall to voice them publicly.

Miss Ketryn,

Might I emphasize the difference between making an accusation and attempting to verify the accusations of several other townsmembers?


Nalick Underhill
Viceroy of Ostcliff

The following is what happened. If you have an issue with what others are saying, you can bring it to me in person in January.

On Saturday morning, Caldor Eirson received word that his brother, Grimkjell Eirson, had been kidnapped, possibly by cultists. He gathered a group of townsmembers, including his wife (who is a skilled tracker), and myself. I was present for all of the accounts I detail below, and they are first-hand by my own eyes.

Aella followed the trail of the kidnappers to an orphanage on the outskirts of town. In my role of Knight Protector at the time, I entered the orphanage peaceably and without force, whereupon I came across a class of several orphans and their teachers. We expressed our apologies for the intrusion, and dispersed throughout the orphanage looking for Grimkjell and his abductors.

Both Grimkjell, and the Noble that had lead the cult that had captured him, were located, and a melee ensured as the cultist leader attempted to escape. As we gave chase, the students and the teachers in the orphanage took up arms and assaulted the subjects of Travance, including myself.

Let me make the following absolutely clear: The children in the orphanage had been conditioned to worship Balfurous, praise him, and take up arms in his name. They attacked us with deadly intent, screaming devotion to the demon as they had been taught by their teachers. The teachers joined in the fight, directing the children to attack us without mercy.

No sane person at that fight wished to strike a child. I squared off against the adults, attempting to remove the leadership that was directing the children, hoping to get the children to surrender without harm. I saw several townsmembers using whatever non-lethal means they had to subdue the children and contain them, such as holding spells or the like. I specifically offered the adults the chance to surrender to spare both their lives, and to ensure their wards a good, healthy future, and they responded with violence.

The adults were slain to the last, never giving nor accepting quarter, despite it being offered. They specifically attempted to play the morals of myself and others present as a weakness, while attempting to cut us down. The children were disarmed, and treated and healed the best we could without allowing them to pose a further threat to anyone around them.

Again, I will make this abundantly clear: The orphanage was a base of operations for the Cult of the Abyssal Spear, who worshipped Balfurous, and aimed to topple the Barony and Kingdom. They specifically raised the children in a cult of pain, torture, and demonic intent to be used as weapons to serve their dark master.

Beyond this, my knowledge is second hand. It is my understanding that it was discovered that the children were not orphans by chance - rather, the cult members slew their parents to create orphans that they could then adopt and pervert.

I speak confidently when I say that no subject or servant of Travance willingly or maliciously struck a child that day. We were forced into combat by, and with, servants of Balfurous, and did the best we could when met with lethal force coupled with a moral quandary. I have no doubt that at least one child was grievously harmed, and possibly slain, during the melee. I also have no doubt that such a thing was not avoidable given the ferocity of the assault and the number of our assailants.

The leader of the cult was bound, and brought to Travance, where he was stripped of his title and executed as a traitor to Koromyre. The children were placed under the care of both Liadann MacKregar and Miss Matilda Catchlove, both of whom were NOT present at the fight, and whom have begun the process of undoing the damage done by the Cult of the Abyssal Spearand attempting to return the children to a normal lifestyle.

If anyone in this town speaks ill of those who fought to end the cult and save the life of Guardsman Eirson, they will answer to me personally.

By my hand,

Lord Weaveforger,

I am grateful for the comprehensive nature and breadth of your account.


In service to His Grace,

Nalick Underhill

My apologies, Liadann. I stand corrected.

This town produces far too many orphans.

I will be at the next feast.

However Gideon pretty much summed it up.

Thank you for your accounting, Lord Weaveforger.