A letter from Jasovani
My Dearest Castinar,
Well Met! I was most pleased to receive your letter this morn. Fortunately it beat the first snows of winter. Hopefully with you working in the low-lands my letter will be able to reach you before the Spring.
I was surprised to hear that you too are working on mysterious kidnappings. I guess the problem is larger than we originally thought. We had experienced the same thing up here last summer. I was summoned to Arabel to speak with King Azoun about the disappearances. He had heard of similar events in other areas.
I would guess that your group is one of those he mentioned that was already looking into the problem. In fact... yes, I just re-read your letter, and I do remember him mentioning that your group - a group in Haranshire lead by a paladin of the King's acquaintance - had been looking into the problem for several months already. Looks like you have finally gotten the jump on me!
I am afraid we have not learned much here. The Purple Dragons were a little too eager in finding and destroying the kidnappers. I suspected a force behind the kidnappers (your letter confirms it). But the Dragons hit the bandits so hard and so fast that it must have scared this underlying force into hiding. I must get word to the Dragons to expect more problems come spring.
I would be interested in hearing more about this drow. I assume from your letter that he is like Drizzt, in that he has chosen to follow the way of light rather than darkness? And do tell me about your meeting with a dragon. Such things invariably make for great tales.
You ask for information on the Illithid - or as the commoners call them Mind Flayers, and also for the secret recipe for Blacksmear in your letter. Well, for the information I'm afraid that even writing this small amount has caused the bone-aches in my hand to act back up. The Illithid are a race as complex as any in existence. I could literally fill a book with all that we know about them. As for the Blacksmear, if I wrote it down to you and the letter was read by someone else it wouldn't be much of a secret, would it?
Ah, but despair not, my faithfid friend. If you are working in Haranshire you are only a few days travel away from one who can help you. Although I know him by several names (you know him too, but I am not at liberty to expound on that) he is publicly known as Valdaeron Windsong. I believe he is living in a small mining village in the Thunder Peaks - Javenville or something like that. He knows as much as I do about the Underdark (more, in some cases) and is also familiar with the making of Blacksmear. Seek him out and introduce yourself to him as my pupil. Do you remember that time we pulled that waterfall trick on the derro near Razor Ridge Lake? Do you remember what I called myself when we faced them down? Tell him that you know me by that name and he will know you have my full confidence.
(OOC: At that time both you and Jasonovi were in disguise. Your master called himself the "Gray Walker". When you heard that it came as somewhat of a shock to you - and it scared the derro to death. The Gray Walker is a legend in the Underdark. To realize your mentor was the Gray Walker himself was a surprise.)
One other thing. I considered not telling you this, but I know how important it is to you. Valdaeron may have the ability to communicate with the elves of Evermeet. He may be able to find out about your family for you. However, be aware that he will not react favorably to the request, should you decide to ask for his help. I can't go into details on why that will be so. But it can't hurt to try.
So, tell me truthfully Castinar, was I right or was I right? Haven't you learned more this past year by being out on your own than you had with me all those previous years? There is no substitute for first-hand experience.
(OOC: When Jasonovi told you it was time to leave and branch off on your own you had protested, feeling that you still had much to learn from one of the first of the Gray Druids. Jasovani assured you that you had everything you needed to survive and thrive, everything except experience.)
Well, I am afraid if I write any more I won't be able to use my hands for a week. It warmed my soul to hear from you. In fact, I think I shall send something along with this letter to help us to communicate.
There should be a small collar with this letter. (OOC: there is one.) Memorize the rune on the front of the locket attached to the collar. If you want to contact me find a suitable animal to wear this collar. Migratory birds work well if you are above ground. Place the collar around the animal's neck, and then speak a message into the locket. When you are done, trace the outline of the rune on the back of the locket. This should cause the rune to disappear from the front. Then hold the animal and concentrate on me, until the animal knows that you want it to find me. It will, eventually.
If one day an animal shows up at your feet wearing the same locket, it will have the return message from me. The locket will be blank. You have to trace the outline of the rune once again. That will activate the magic and you will be able to hear my message. This should make keeping in touch a little easier.
Fare thee well, Castinar Eleas. Please let me know if you turn up anything important. While there are personal reasons for sending you the Message Locket, there are professional reasons as well. Watch yourself and remember to stay silent! May Meleikki guide your steps.
Jasonovi