This is another piece I wrote up for my current D&D campaign. After helping a mysterious dharven (dwarven, roughly) stranger out with an even more mysterious task, the PCs attempted to track her down for some answers. Instead, they only found this note pinned to a backpack in one of their inn-rooms. I was particularly happy with this little exercise because this letter sprang into my head approximately fully-formed after a session one night. I knew roughly where everything was going at the time, but I hadn't really worked out how the mysterious dharven woman (Rido) would respond to the PCs' successes in helping her with her problems. As I was getting ready for bed that night, my mind made the connection to the idea of her leaving them a highly-customized backpack full of hand-selected rewards but (fitting her secretive nature) no way to directly contact her. With that idea, I decided that the gifts would have to be slightly taunting or teasing in nature, and she would need to leave them a letter to rub that teasing in just a small bit more. With that information, here is the letter that Rido left for the PCs, essentially a first draft that I only slightly tweaked in two places after the initial writeup. -------- My new friends, I hope this missive finds you well, rested, and recovered. I know you have been searching for me, and it is with great regret that I must inform you that you will not find me. Simply put, I have been called away to attend to other matters, and no matter how long and hard you search for me, you cannot find what is no longer there. You must have simply hundreds of questions. I hope you will believe me when I tell you that you will someday have answers for all of them. After all, my darling heroes, I may have deceived you, but I have never lied to you. For the moment, I can only tell you that you have accomplished far more than the task I first laid out for you. Would that I could be there to thank you in person, but alas, more pressing matters imposed. It is only to be expected, I suppose. Why does one cloak oneself in black if one does not intend to disappear? I can but hope that these small tokens of my gratitude (along with Reka's, and Vonn's as well) shall serve to salve your wounds ever so slightly at my absence. Dear Maleos: please keep Reka's gifts with her compliments. She tells me she sees much potential in you. I hope that you understand the depths of her [synonym for compliments]. Lovely Aida: my hear is gladdened that we parted on amiable terms. Your strength is to be commended, even as your directness serves you well. You have it in you to be a great warrior, but remember not to hide from your cunning. Brother Saul: I feel we shall most certainly meet again one day, as you strike me as quite the world wanderer. I only hope you remember me fondly, like a sister, when I once again greet you in friendship. And finally, dashing Darias: oh, how I regret abandoning you most of all. Still, we both know it was never truly meant to be. You learn well and quickly; almost too well, if I can admit it. You must know how I respect your drive to ferret out the world's secrets. May your inquiries always lead you true. Friends, I must leave you now with only these fair trinkets for companionship. We have had so little time together, yet also so much. Though I know your frustration with me must be great for my leaving you with so many unanswered questions, I hope you will one day forgive me the necessity. Unfortunately, I must also leave you with one final task. When the snows melt and your journey must continue, rise early and look to the east preceding the rising sun. I have been told you will find something there that will guide the next leg of your journey. Until then, rest well and enjoy the comforts that Hallvar can provide for you. |
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