Regarding Kormyre

Subjects of Travance,

I've finally been given liberty to write to you, and have the strength to do so from my ill condition.

Some nights ago Travance was beset up by a warband of orcs. These orcs were organized, trained, and reasonably, attacking in an unusual manner. I write this day to tell you that this attack may not have been as random as it appeared. First, there is some history that I need to share with you.

Some months ago, an elite mercenary band was out kidnapping members of Travance in the dead of night. The leader of this company was an Ex-Knight of Arkovnia. After we had captured him and his crew, we interrogated them, where we learned of his discharge from station and why, as well as the claim that he was working for a high noble within Kormyre, we cut a deal with him. I promised that I would do all that I could to reinstate his knighthood if he chose to help us. To this date, he has been paramount to our investigation.

From his information, heroes within town offered to play kidnapped and be delivered to the buyer so we could collect the proof against the source of this crime. The buyer was captured and is currently under the watch of the Magistrate’s office for interrogation, for which information is still being extracted. These are criminals of nefarious works and do not let information out easily. At that point, we could only wait to act.

Now, just this past feast, an orc warboss was captured and interrogated. It was learned that he and several other warbands were paid to attack. According to this orc, he had been paid a hefty sum, asking us, “Do you not know about the rebellion?” Before we could collect more information, he swallowed a hollow tooth filled with poison. In my attempt to stop him, an illusion around him dispelled, revealing he was not an orc, but human.

I do not have the proof that this high noble is planning something sinister, but I do believe that he is, and I write this to warn everyone to be careful and aware. The enemy may not be attacking from outside, but rather, from within.

Stay vigilant, Travance.

As of this moment, we do not have any empirical evidence to support any claim as to who is behind anything. We are acting solely based on the assertions of brigands, one of whom remains in custody at this moment being interrogated. If he provides information, we may have something more substantial. Though for now, our hands are tied as to what direction we have to go on.

In regards to question of where our banners reside in terms of loyalty. Our loyalty should be to the Crown of Kormyre and to uphold what is Just, whether it be the standing regime or (be it found to be on grounds of rooting out a previously unknown corruption) a rebellion. Our duty is to the prosperity of Kormyre for all its subjects. However, in this moment, any rebellion that may rely on the tactics of employed goblinoid forces does not seem to be Just in their actions to me.

And to address you specifically, Donald, alliances forged the strongest are those done so in times of strife. I would not dare turn anyone away, domestic or foreign, who wishes to aid a kingdom aside from their own. Everyone has a stake in the future of Kormyre; all kingdoms and peoples of Palmydia.

I would turn away no offer of service in this endeavor. If it is sound of mind and can be carried out, we should do so diligently and I will see how I can help allocate resources to make it so.

For now, we can only wait until the next move is made by our enemy and be prepared to counter.