An investigation?! They're mad. Completely mad. Tom, I don't know what to do. The Church has sent me a missive warning me of an impending investigation into Eldric's so-called "proclivities with humans", going so far as to say that the scandal such a decorated, respected officer could cause if word got out would be unacceptable.

Unacceptable?! Tom, I can't help but think that's the reason behind his recent assignment. A seemingly random deployment toward the outskirts of Lo'driel, as part of a small squadron of junior paladins and no supervisory authority to speak of? This smacks of politics, and I mean to get to the bottom of it. Any help or insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Yours in Justice,
Tolliver

My dear friend,

Words cannot adequately express how pleased I was to hear of the favors you cashed in to get a contingent of Wardens deployed to provide backup for Eldric's mission -- unbeknownst to anyone involved, I'm sure, if I know you. Truly, your deft maneuverings are an inspiration to anyone who dons the mantle of diplomacy.

It's all happening so fast, Tom. So very fast. The internal investigation I alluded to in our past correspondence claims to have turned up evidence that some in the Church have found to be damning, and I regret to say that it concerns your family, too.

Nothing's been made public, of course, but Eldric has been all but charged in absentia with the crimes of indecency toward a junior officer, lewd conduct unbecoming a paladin, insubordination, false indoctrination, fornication, and fraternization with foreign powers. And the entity he is accused of betraying Church secrets to? The Empire, of all things, via House Mason.

And I think we both know who they mean.

You may have noticed -- as Regina certainly has -- that my boy has not been enthusiastic in his pursuit of the fairer sex. At first, we chalked it up to his fervor, for his devotion to duty, for his drive toward perfect, but eventually even Regina had to admit that we were just making excuses for him.

I sat Eldric down the other day to chat about the difference between desires and necessities, in which I dare say my suspicions were confirmed. He already shoulders so much, poor boy, and now must needs sacrifice his heart to appearances, as well. I should think you would find a similar conversation with young William to be equally enlightening... and equally trying.

I trust you will treat this matter with the delicacy it deserves.

Yours in Justice,
Tolliver

Lord Thomas Mason,

I will not mince words. The true nature of your grandson's friendship with my only son and heir has come to light, and it is clear to me that William has crossed the bounds of common decency into abject abomination and deviancy. Young William's corrupting influence has clouded Eldric's better judgement, to the point where he will no longer see reason.

Since I cannot trust my son to make the decisions that would otherwise know to be morally right, I must implore you to take matters into your own hands for the sake of both our families.

Keep William away from my son. This is not a polite request. If William Mason ever returns to Hae'driel, I cannot guarantee that the Flame will not learn of his deviance and natural treason. My husband is not the only one with influence in their ranks, Lord Mason. I assure you this is no idle threat. Your son is no longer safe in this city.

Cordially,

Lady Regina Vesper

The bodies of several paladins were delivered to the gates of Haedriel today. Eldric is among them. Church has been far too outgoing in its overtures of consolation for my family. You may in danger. Take precautions before it is too late.

-T

Mason,

My investigation stalled in the courts. I was summoned to the Emerald Table for a conference with the Grand Marshall, the High Priestess, and other dignitaries. The Table, of course, was not used as anything more than a prop -- a reminder of the authority they held.

I was told what I believe to be the honest truth. That my dear son was widely lauded, but considered flawed due to his indiscretions with church doctrine and established theological traditions. His sexuality came up several times, as well. The final verdict was that martyrdom was preferable to the inevitable disgrace and discord his life's trajectory was bound toward.

Imagine my surprise when I learned the sordid details. That my son's platoon was ambushed only after deviating from their intended route to respond to an urgent entreaty sent by none other that Lord Thomas Mason.

Loathe though I am to believe it, I am forced to conclude that you sent my son to his death. After all we've been through? All that we shared?

I must confess, my initial reaction was to storm into your estate and run you through with my own sword. Hobbled though I am, the Goddess knows I could manage it. And for once, I would wield the power to Justice the way it was meant to be used, you traitorous mockingjay.

My anger has cooled in time, for am I certain you were put up to the task by others. Coerced. I have not forgiven you, but I understand your dilemma and your decision to put your family before my own.

Now, I am in the awkward position of defending my son's murderer, for the Flame is certainly hoping that I tie up your loose end in the fiery fashion it so richly deserves. However -- and fortunately for you -- I refuse to further cooperate with the Flame by acting as your executioner. We are not puppets, Thomas. We are meant to work the strings, not dance upon them.

Thus it is that I have conspired with the Flame and, Goddess forgive me, with you to conceal the thrice-damned "Sir" Lumen on property owned in part by you through a subsidiary. I am taking my leave of Haedriel this very dawn, and I greatly doubt I shall ever return.

Once I am in Tris, you and I shall have a very long chat. There will be whiskey. There may be blows. But if there is blood, it will be on your hands, not mine. Until then, watch your back. The Flame is looking for scapegoats, and you are at the top of the list.

-T

Dearest Sister,

It is with great hesitation that I pen you this letter, having no wish to cause you pain. The fact remains, however, that it is unlikely that I shall return from this expedition, and hiding from the truth will not help.

In the event of my passing, it is probably that the burden of our family oath will fall to you. I wish it were otherwise, sister. This should never have been your burden to bear, and you deserve better. Yet we must all serve as is our Duty. There are things, however, that you likely don't know about our family. Things that Father is unlikely to tell you, even as you take up the mantle of our responsibility. I feel it is your right to know, however.

First, know that the Curse of Vesper lies in our history. Long ago, there was a schism that pitted the devotees of Tassada against those of another faith, long forgotten. Our family, along with our eternal ally House Mason, served this second church, and remained one of the final pillars standing fast against the inevitable tide of the Flame.

Our forebear made a grave error in his desperation, however. As the final temple was set to fall to the Flame, he made a hasty pact with a powerful demonic entity in exchange for immeasurable power. This fortified our family's last stand, but at a terrible cost. The temple was lost, as were many, many lives and all of House Vesper's purity.

The price for this power was one soul to the demon per generation -- the firstborn soul, to be precise. After the Flame's eventual victory, a second price to levied on our family: that the firstborn shall be given in service to the Flame, in exchange for forgiveness and, more importantly, for the historical obliteration of our deal with the devil.

Finally, while House Vesper continues its fidelity to the Flame, Tassada has guaranteed an interdiction of those souls such that the demon cannot consume or dismantle them. Though they remain trapped, they are held in a limbo-like purgatory of sorts. And the longer this deal lasts, the greater our collective need to remain faithful to the edict becomes, given the weight of the souls involved.

Thus it is that whenever the firstborn Vesper child dies, their soul is sent to the demon, though it is shielded from the nefarious purposes such souls are generally used to fuel. The Church's edict, however, does not expire. Tassada requires that there must always be a Vesper in the Flame's service. This ensures our family remains loyal to the church, and it also grants us the upward mobility we would never receive if the truth were to become known.

It is my dearest wish that you should lead a full and happy life, regardless of whatever should transpire here. Service to the Church can be weary and extremely isolating. If you need a friend, you should seek out Knight-Errant Silendril. It is he whom I have been writing to you. He's a good man, and one I've come to see as something of a younger brother in our years together. It was my hope that...but that matters little now.

I hope that this letter proves entirely unnecessary, but I could not in good conscious let these words go unwritten, should the worst happen.

Live, my dearest sister. Live and be happy. Smile. That is my one wish, as I face whatever fate awaits me.

Farewell, Lyriel
Your loving brother,

Eldric