| Book Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: | AFFresh | ||
| Writer(s): | Douglas Goodall | ||
| Publication Date: | 1 June 2023 | ||
| Note | |||
| This is a compilation of books assembled for easier reading. | |||
A Letter from Oran Dres
Most merciful master,
I am most ashamed to report that I have not completed the tasks you set for me, but I am writing on an unrelated matter.
A sload merchant passed through Tear just two days ago. I know you desire a full translation of Kvata! Kvakis! so when I saw the airship glide into port, I felt I should attempt to obtain such a translation on your behalf.
I ran back to my rooms at the inn to get my copy of the book. The sload at the docks claimed that he could not translate the book due to youth and ignorance. He expressed great doubt that any book was written by a sload, even claiming that they have no written language "which only causes misunderstanding." Fortunately, he agreed to a meeting with the captain of the airship in exchange for a handful of minor souls of troublesome beasts.
And so I ascended the gondola. I shall try to present my conversation with the captain to the best of my recollection:
"Your business is not known to this one."
"I have acquired a book that I believe was written by a Sload. I am willing to pay well for an accurate translation."
"Impossible! A violet pearl! A tame sea! Let this one observe this book."
He read the brief contents of the book, an unreadable expression on his, for lack of a better term, face.
"Tells you this one two things with no obligation."
"Please, tell me whatever you can!"
"The first. This one will not translate this book."
"Surely we can come to some arrangement--"
"Nothing may alter the outcome," said the captain. "Fore-ordained, star-crossed, observed, all its fates collapsed."
"I don't understand."
"The second. No isomorphisms between this book and the Sload. A book for fools is this."
The captain threw the book back at the wall, damaging its spine as you can see when it is returned with this letter. I was devastated. I did not know whether to believe the captain or not, but I knew I would not find what I sought here.
"Know you this. Remembrances this one contains of one known to the substantial as N'Gasta. Such this one would lend to you, in your temporary ways."
"You have memories of N'Gasta?"
"Indeed, hatched am I from the very pool."
"How will you give me a memory. A spell, or--"
"Inspection this one allows at the time of the sale, on penalty of forgetting. Now the terms this one is willing to discuss. Memories: six months, seven events, eight secrets, this one offers of the one known as N'Gasta. What is your offer?"
We bargained for over an hour, but in the end, I could not meet his price. The price in drakes was far too high to even think of transporting it, much less paying it. He was willing to accept a certain quantity or quality of soulgem, but I could not quite understand his terms. If I am correct, he wanted the equivalent of over fifty perfect soulgems filled with the souls of greater Daedra and Altmer. If I had the empty gems, I might be able to collect that many in a year, but I could not collect so many in the few days his ship would stay in port. He expressed a passing interest in my own soul, but he seemed to know that I was in your service. Forgive me, master, but at that moment I almost wished I was free.
Once I returned to the ground, I was not certain whether the captain was honest, or if it was all a trick. The captain said that his ship would pass through Necrom in a few months. I hope this letter reaches you before the ship arrives. If you can reach him personally, perhaps you will negotiate better than I.
Your ever humble servant,
Oran Dres
Second Letter from Oran Dres
Most merciful master,
You recently sent me to Rihad to track down the makers of that damned book, N'Gasta! Kvata! Kvakis! I humbly report my success. The book was created by Black Cat Books, one of the many minor publishing houses in this city.
I questioned my captives in detail. They all lied, of course, and were quite willing to tell me anything I wished to hear before the end. By the common parts of their lies, I believe I know what occurred. The workers knew nothing and were worthless. One of the unliving came up with a plan. I do not know which one. Each blamed one of the others. Nevertheless, under pain of noon, they spoke of their plan. N'Gasta! Kvata! Kvakis! is not their only wicked book. They have written several books, all of them false or full of meaningless text. Each book was intended for a wealthy clientele that prefers not to make their affairs public. N'Gasta! Kvata! Kvakis! was the book targeted to those who practice our Sacred Art. I must admit their plan worked. We did not know until recently that the book was a fraud, and other practitioners continue to pay high prices for copies.
The unliving I have captured. Using the knowledge from the most recent addition to our library, I have formed their souls into a charming necklace. The corpses of the workers serve me.
This is not enough for their crimes. When I think of all the gold they have made at our brothers' expense, all the hours we wasted... No, it is not enough. I shall return the necklace to you at my earliest convenience. Perhaps you can trade them for one of N'Gasta's memories. That would be an appropriate fate.
Your ever humble servant,
Oran Dres
Third Letter from Oran Dres
Master,
If this letter reaches you before I do, know that I am on my way. Swiftly and by air. I feel responsible for this unfortunate state of affairs and will do everything in my power to defeat our common foe. We may even acquire the memories in the process.
Your ever humble servant,
Oran Dres
Fourth Letter from Oran Dres
You have slain my master. There is no place you can hide.
Your foe,
Oran Dres