Adlus

A knight with a less than noble streak. His strength carried the party through many dire situations.

Backstory

The following are several letters from Adlus Firestorm, to his father, Grifrn Firestorm. Both the letters and the last names have been translated from their original language of elvish to common for your benefit. The letters are signed with A.N., N designating the elvish spelling of firestorm, Naurarrna.

Nisanu 1

Father,

I am sorry. In my present mood these words seem hollow and pointless, an offering of copper when I promised gold. But I must say something at least, to explain my actions. I do not regret what I have done, for I do not think it is something to feel regret over. It is past. It can be looked at, yes, studied even, but it has happened and nothing can change that fact. I shall never return to Valencia. I have seen and heard of the horrors left by Drieon's taint. Already two godyr have fallen. How long before more become corrupted? Yet the elves do nothing, content to live within the chaos that is Valencia. I can do nothing here, help no one. So I am going to Mondevai. I've used some of the money I took to buy passage through the portal. I will head through as soon as I am assured this letter will reach you. I know you wished for me to be a bard, but that is for another life. I am different than the other elves here. I...do not take joy in chaos. Please forgive me, father. I know I am but one soul, unlikely to make any difference in the world, yet I must try.

-A.N.

Simanu 12

Father,

I have much to tell you. Have you ever traveled through a portal? It is quite an interesting experience, as though you are simultaneously hot and cold. And you can literally feel yourself in two places for a moment before you emerge on the other side! The elves at Feld were most helpful when I came through, though my age did cause quite a stir. It is unusual for a twelve year old to be traveling alone, and I was forced to leave the city before I raised to much suspicion. I'm sure by now they have been informed of my disappearance. I do not expect you to stop searching for me, though I will assure you again that I will not return to Valencia. For this reason I will not tell you where I am, only that I am well taken care of. I think I have found a way to help the world, and I shall pursue it. I am afraid this will be my last letter for awhile. It is not cheap sending letters through a portal and I fear you will find some way to trace their origin. Please do not worry for me, I am in safe hands.

-A.N.

P.S. Tell mother that I am sorry I did not say good bye to her.

Tashritu 5

Father,

It has been a long time since I last sent word to you. I was recently bestowed with a great honor. I have been chosen to be squire to Sir Yeldin, liege knight to the Marque of Issail. For the past five years I have been living with the Dravon as a page, until the day I would be allowed to squire a knight. I am still surprised that I was taken in back then, not only because I was several years older than is normal for a page, but also because of my elven blood. Fortunately, it turns out that the Dravon are particularly fond of elves; I have been treated almost as if I were Dravon myself. Did you know that the Dravon do not need to eat? All they require is blood for sustenance. I am fortunate that many of the Marque's soldiers are not Dravon themselves, I do not think I could of survived on blood alone. I have yet to meet any elven knights. I have been told that it is rare for elves to so constrict themselves as to serve another. It does not surprise me. I am no longer worried that you will attempt to take me back to Valencia. I realized a few years ago that it was very likely that you had located where I was. Elves in Dravon settlements tend to stick out, or so I am told.

-A.N.

Abu 2

Father,

Sir Yeldin is dead. He was burned alive. I couldn't do anything for him, and by the time a cleric reached him there was nothing left to do. The rest of the battle is a blur. I am told that I retrieved my master's blade and then challenged his killer to face me. For a squire to challenge another in itself is foolhardy, but an enemy magician? Yet somehow I succeeded against him; spilled his blood across the field. I was knighted by the Marque himself after the battle for my act of bravery, yet I feel no pride. A good man is dead, and I would gladly trade my boon to see him alive before me again. His blade now rests with him beneath the ground. Mourn him.

-A.N.

Du'uzu 7

Father,

I am done. What have I been doing the last 3 years? I left Valencia to help bring order and peace to the world, but not like this. No, not like this. Perhaps the Dravon have changed me, but it does not matter anymore. I have left the Marque's service. I still have nightmares about that poor woman. The Marque said, and I obeyed. Well, no more. If I ever was a knight in his service, I am no longer. I have thrown all that he has given me into the ocean. Let it cleanse that bloodied sword of all those it has slain; let it destroy that bloodied armor that defended me for so long. I leave Issail free of his influence. I shall choose my own path from here on.

-A.N.

Kislimu 14

Father,

It was good to see you again. I thank you for arranging my meeting with Nairo. I wish you could have been there in Arcadia when I was allowed to see [[[Nemo]]. Did I ever tell you the story of how I was able to arrange that meeting? Well, I'll save it for some other time. It's very interesting to meet two godyr, they are as different as the people who follow them. I'm heading to Saipore next; I've heard some stories from Valdion that I think I should check out. By the way, thanks for the advice about The Copper Lute. It's still surprising how many bards make it a point to visit Valencia at least once in their lifetime. I'll stop there and see what information I can pick up. I'm all ready for the trip at sea; the ship's name is Nairo's Blessing and there are plenty of elves to talk to if I get bored. That Dravon is still following me. He's good, I'll give him that, but you would have to be blind not to notice someone who's been following you for three days. And you would have to be stupid after three days not to realize he's after something other than your purse. He shouldn't try anything on the ship, though, so I should have time to think of something. This will be my last letter for awhile, may good health shine upon you.

-A.N.