Whitton Letter 2

To the Council of Bluebell, urgent salutations.

It was with some shock that, this morning, we received most dreadful news from a member of our own Council, Elshazet Woadstull.  We had thought that, surely, this saber-rattling between Bluebell and Redmoor was merely posturing over trade, and that regardless of any strange magical practices taking part on either side peace would still prevail.  After all, under Aelwin Bluehair, Bluebell was known for its strength, but also its compassion.  Redmoor is even occasionally referred to as 'Bluebell's Younger Sister', and so perhaps out of respect for the past we held off from open condemnation in favor of firm advice, believing that the Bluebell Council would never actually bring death to another Free Town.  This was our error.  We now know that, under the pretext of a much smaller town actually invading Bluebell, you enlisted a tribe of warrior satyrs, pressed your own people into military service financed by the foreign royalty and local strongwoman who currently sit upon your Council, and unleashed a campaign of propaganda calling up the terrors of ancient sorcery to cover up your conquest of Redmoor.  You have deposed the Redmoor Council and proclaimed yourselves governors without the consent of the people, and although we personally believe you may be able to forge documentation of legitimacy from those few surviving Council members you keep imprisoned with your barbaric forces, know that it shall never be recognized by the Free Town of Whitton!  However, now we know that you are past listening to words of peace and reason.  Since rationality has failed, we have authorized the most dire and stringent of measures against you.  Sanctions.  Starting immediately, Whitton will no longer trade tin from our mines with Bluebell until you relinquish your army, resign from the Council, and submit to an interim Council made up of representatives from other towns, who will work to rebuild both Redmoor and Bluebell in a more fair and equitable manner.  Perhaps being forced to slake your bloodlust with nothing but copper will cool it.  Furthermore, we understand that your Sorceress is a member of the renowned order of Storm Sylphs, and while we do not know how you have cozened her into taking part in offensive warfare, we have reported her mercenary activities to a surprisingly martial member of her order who was traveling through our fair town, and recommended she personally ensure no infractions are taking place.  She seemed quite angry.  Regardless of whether you choose to take the sensible path or not, on the first day of the month of Green an emergency tribunal will be convened to deliver our opprobium in person and investigate your warcrimes.  We are aware of your vaunted swordself, and to ensure this tribunal goes unmolested we have taken great pains to find a warrior who can not just match, but outdo her, to send to Bluebell.  Be warned that the Council of Pike's Creek has voiced support for this measure as well, and will be sending representatives, even your southern neighbors know the threat you pose!  A neutral third party, the Noble House of Mellouk, will be along to oversee the proceedings, as well as a Guildmaster of Hub.  Even Felt's Stand has sent along a wizard of great repute for security purposes and to counter magical tampering.

With regret, the Council of Whitton.