Sokeus writes to Metis

Metis,

I send this message in response to the news of your progress beyond the mountains. Your message finds me well, a state I hope you share. I am pleased to be confirmed that practical application has allowed you to advance your skills in thaumaturgy. Necessity is a stern tutor, but, I find, the most effective.

I hardly know where to begin, which is unlike me.

The Iron Snake which you have found is novel. I have encountered no other construct with its properties and, although I have theories, I have no concrete notion of its making. In his end notes in "Travels to the Wilds", Mezzedija suggests using gloves made from the hide of a creature of the Fey when handling items of power. I speculate that a cloth or sack made in such manner might make the Snake more easily carried by you. I would cure the hide using any Magical Fire. Use a tough-skinned creature: an Eladrin will not do.

I was fascinated by your description of the Hall of Murals, save for one aspect which brought me profound dread. That the Lover of the Raven Queen is prominently figured in the artwork of the Old War does not bode well. As you know, thirty years ago I lost my sight. What you do not know is that I was attempting to communicate with the Lover of the Raven Queen, in his place of exile, when I suffered my accident. In life, the Lover was a great Mage. In his life after death, he became something more. I felt that I had things to discuss with such a person. Unfortunately, when I read his message, I was faced with a choice: lose my sight or lose something else. Something more important. I urge you to be circumspect in any communication with the Lover of the Raven Queen; perhaps you should employ an expendable intermediary. The Dove is his sigil.

I have been confounded in my researches of the Old War in the time since your departure. Your description of the Mad Mage and the Forgetting may have shed some light. To wit: I decided to send for any record of a wizard attached by the Lyceum Arcana to the Campaign of 20 years past. I was surprised to find such a record existed, given the lazy character of the odious Clerk of Records and his staff of condemnable nitwits. But, against all rational expectation, the record did exist. A wizard was sent. What I find irritating is that the wizard was supposedly, at one time, my pupil. I have no recollection of such a student and I seem unable to learn his name. No other Mage of the Lyceum does either. It is vexing, yet fitting, that the only one of my students to achieve any true notoriety, good or ill, would obscure all record of my tutelage.

The Chthona, the Whale. That such a thing touches our reality confuses me. That it has landed in our own backyard is a wonder. I will think on this.

Sokeus.

P.S. I deem that you are capable of learning the "Eye of Alarm" ritual, which you will find copied in my scribe's unruly hand and attached to the leg of this bird.