Stalking through the woods, you quickly overpower the remaining bandits of the raiding party and their half a dozen sentries here. Knowing your were heading for trouble, you took the time to prepare the appropriate abilities and your tactics excelled. Among their possessions, you find a flat bottomed boat suitable for traversing down river to Hammensend and some interesting documents.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">the elf's letter</div><div class="spoiler_body"><em>To Thee of Honor and Valor,<br/><br/>I am an elven maiden called Danaphia.  In the Hantu Valley at the foot of the Grey Mountain, our village thrived for many years.  Our elders worked daily in the forest. Many of our young men studied and worshipped in the temple on the mountain.  We made our homes in peace – but peace is no more.<br/>It was three weeks ago when the stranger, Rahib he called himself, came the first time.  He was handsome man with broad shoulders.  His deep-set eyes held a piercing glint that looked uncomfortably into one’s soul.  His voice was soft and persuasive, and anyone hearing it was almost certainly lulled into agreement.  It was the consent of my father that the Rahib sought – and only to one end.  My father refused him.<br/>The next day, he came to me and dropped to one knee saying, “Danaphia, your beauty is fabled throughout this land; almost as much as your father’s wealth.  To possess you I have traveled far, but our father is unkind.  He refused me, though I brought many riches as payment for you.  Surely you will not refuse to go with me.”  He grabbed my arm with an unbearable grip – I cried out.<br/>My father heard me, and, in a rage, bound from the house toward the stranger.  With one great rush, father drove him to the gates and cast him forth.<br/>On his knees like a common beggar, the stranger clung to the wall and interred such a curse that the sky darkened and all the servants covered their heads in fear.  In a rich, deep voice, he intoned and evil chant we could not understand.<br/>He then vanished into the forest.  Under my father’s hand, peace soon returned to my household.  The curious visitor and his curse were forgotten – until one week ago.<br/>One day, the young men who study at the temple and their teachers did not return to their homes.  Their families became worried and went to the temple, but were driven away b the students, known as templars.  My father, who sometimes taught at the temple, went there to discover what had happened.  He has not returned.<br/>My father’s wealth is also lost.  I believe that his fortune was hidden in the lower recesses of the temple.  It is hard to believe the treasure has been stolen, for it includes many distinctive pieces that anyone, near or far, would recognize.  There was a beautiful translucent marble jar inlaid with gold trim and six jewels.  There were also two birds with gold that would sing a tune.  They were to be my dowry, without which I cannot be wed.  There is also an ancient ring set with black jade that matches the pendant that hung around my father’s neck.  He told me that anyone who possesses both could wield great power for good.<br/>Hathir, my betrothed, knowing that his family would not allow his marriage to me, now a maid without a dowry, and fearing for my father, also went to the temple.  He, too, has not returned.<br/>Two days ago, the village council received a message.  It was from the Rahib.  He boasted that all the devoted templars and students of the temple are under a spell that will not be broken until the village gives the Rahib three maidens, including myself.  The council refused.  That night, the templars attacked and kidnapped two other maidens, Sylva and Merisa, but I escaped.<br/>All of the villagers are in misery for many of their sons are templars. Some people have begged me to give myself over to the wicked Boneheart, but I dare not, lest I find that he has lied, and will not break his curse on the templars.  I fear that unless we are helped, I shall never again see my beloved Hathis or my father and my friends Sylva and Merisa.  <br/>Someone must rescue them and the Rahib must be forced to remove his curse upon the templars.  Without help, I will have no choice but to give myself to the Rahib and hope and pray that he keeps his word and releases the others.  You were once my beloved friend and brother.  Help me Nassar Reltek, you are my only hope.<br/><br/>Danaphia            <br/></em></div></div>While actually handling the letter, Aren notices something not quite right with the ink. In random places it seems...off. Dora finds no trace of magic on it, but when she does her, 'I'm a cat, look at meeeeeee!' routine to cover her request to cover her communique to Victoriana to get her where she can look at it, it's glaringly obvious; humans really are blind.<br/><br/>Dora clearly sees that the words are written upon a map scribed in ink the humans can't see. (Experimenting later will reveal that the map ink is visible in a part o the spectrum visible to low-light vision.) It shows the way the bandits were traveling, indicating there is an elf settlement in the eastern Abbor Alz range, perhaps 3 days march once you continue farther upriver and cross into Urnst.<br/><br/>One of the "bandits" carries a letter himself, this one written in Baklunish. As the language's ancient form is still the unchanged written form of the modern language, Victoriana and Dora can read it easily. In short, it directs these "bandits" to intercept any the elf wench has called upon to help and rejoin him at the Temple of the Testing. The are disciples of a the one who signed it, "Ascension shall be siezed." The rest of the language in the letter confirms the valediction is a reference to Iuz's own divine ascension. You heard these agents conversingbefore your attack, specifically of "the Rahib" and whether they should return without the woman and then of how stupid it would be to even mention her. Rahib is a Baklunish word for monk though none of these actually spoke that language.