Slid under a certain guest's door at the Mermaid

[Wids]

...is another mundane note on magically imbued paper:


"Good tidings, Master Sampson. May you always be borne by the blessings of the Blood Sea.

If you've a spare hour to share with me, I've an urgent matter regarding the approaching festival of Highharvestide, and I would beseech your esteemed council in this affair. A good many things converge swiftly, and I believe that our telling hour shall arrive with Eleint's dusk.

Pray speak with me at your soonest convenience, Your Grace. I may often be found in the first single room to the left, where I spend many an hour with scrolls and holy books at the writing desk. Our Eternal Lady sends a swift and rising tide at our backs. May we choose our moment sagely and ride that tide to conquest.

Yours by the Funnelling Waters,
Puissant Undertow Thallys"

[DM Scurvy]

After reading the note, Sammy Sampson heads out to buy a bottle of champagne.

[Wids]

// Say what? He went through four bottles of Undermountain Arulyath already?

// Oh, wait...champagne? Oh, shiiiii...

// *wonders if Serrica's propensity for sucking up to the higher-ups may eventually have to include sleeping with them in self-degrading Forever-Amber-style tradition. Eek.*

[Wids]

"Fair winds to your endeavors, Master Sampson.

I've neither seen nor heard note of your departure from Prespur, so I presume that you are still hereabouts. For my part, I've come to a station in my life and my holy servitude where I would again push ahead in service to our Church and to the Lady of the Drowning Tides, and for this I must again confer with you.

None from our Church have contested my assumed title of Vicaress, so it would seem that my title stands. And I am confident that, by my guiding hand, our Church shall enjoy a new swell of dominion and power on Prespur's soil, and it shall begin with Uarhold. I have witnessed that the rain never ceases to fall on Uarhold, quite like the rain forever falls on Umberlee's Shoal. And I would dare wager that Uarhold already enjoys our mighty Goddess' blessing and that the sea hags and the merrow, in their own way, have already lead Uarhold's hearts to Her. What Cegilune has sown, Umberlee shall reap.

So even if Palaggar stands fast with cursed Valkur and never yields to us, Uarhold may yet be readily groomed into a fortress of reverence to the Mother of Hurricanes. With Uarhold's commerce and influence, and with Sembia's might behind Uarhold, we should be duly pleased to have a following therein.

But then, new rumors greet my ears, rumors of a thriving and open shrine to Great Umberlee in one of Cormyr's strongest seaside cities. Mayhaps Palaggar and her faith are not so impervious after all....


Yours in Calm and in Torrent,
S"