Just over sixty years after the destruction of New Thera by the Vertani
forces in 385AF, Daqsool, Qoul of Tir Murann, made his way to North of
New Thera to deliver a letter to Angela, the Theran mayor. Deciding at
the last minute to send an envoy rather than to enter the village
himself, Daqsool began the search for a proper messenger. After
conversing with a young woman named Rafflesia, Daqsool was able to gain
the assistance of a city leader from Ashtan - an Archon named Jaizsur
Ta'sa.

Upon hearing of the Qoul's offer from the Archon, Angela and those
around her became suspicious of Daqsool's intent. Aided by various
adventurers, the Mayor pondered how to best respond to Daqsool's
request. One group of adventurers, led by a Mhaldorian named Asteroth
Drakor, pushed Angela to seek retribution for the Vertani massacre of
Thera and demand the corpses of those who resided in Tir Murann. Another
group, led by an Archon of Ashtan named Mendax Mendacis, advised Angela
to accept Daqsool's apology, and then take no further action against
either the Vertani or Daqsool. Finally, a third group of counsellors,
led by Jaizsur and the explorer Delphinus Windancer, recommended that
the Mayor should seek peace and some sort of compensation from Tir
Murann for their role in the Theran atrocity.

After much debate, Angela took the counsel of the latter group, despite
expressing a personal preference towards retribution for the actions of
Daqsool's people. Meanwhile, Daqsool had returned to his private
quarters in Tir Murann, awaiting news from Jaizsur as to the Theran
reaction to his message. When news arrived that Angela wished to discuss
some manner of compensation for her people, Daqsool offered a journal
containing details of the Vertani and their kingdom, knowing of New
Thera's reputation as a centre of knowledge. This offer, later accepted
by Angela, was for a short time considered the first step towards better
relations between the two peoples.

It came to pass that the promised tome, authored by Vewig, Magelord of
House Tsez, was completed. Daqsool procured the assistance of two
Ashtani, Eliana Aliene and Paine Saer'rac, to deliver the finished work
to Angela. The tome was then taken to Nissa, Archivist of the Lucretian
Athenaeum, the great library housed in Thera. Angela, Nissa, and the
Achaeans who perused the contents of the Vertani journal found, to their
suspicion, that there was a distinct lack of new knowledge to be found
within it.

Daqsool contacted Eliana to question how the gift had been received.
Reluctantly, Eliana responded to reveal the general impression of the
tome's poverty in content -- a disclosure, while honest, was greatly
displeasing to Daqsool. Daqsool sought a different mediator, and Erhon
Lucoster, the Overseer of Ashtan, agreed to act in that role. A
diplomatic meeting was arranged in the council chambers of Ashtan.

Shortly after their arrival to these safe quarters, an ultimatum was
issued by Daqsool, stating that Angela must decide immediately whether
there would be peace or war between the two villages by accepting the
Vertani peace-offering. Infuriated by her continued reluctance, Daqsool
proceeded to angrily demand the head of the Mayor of New Thera a demand
to which she hotheadedly responded with the same offer. To the dismay of
those who had hoped for peace, it wasn't long before both the town
leaders gained their wish, and the negotiations ended in blood.

Now, a state of war has risen between New Thera and Tir Murann. Will an
armistice ever be brokered between these two peoples, or will the
Vertani of Tir Murann find themselves, once again, entrenched in war?

Penned by my hand on the 2nd of Ero, in the year 443 AF.