The folks back home wanted me to look you up to pass on some news and introduce you to Lothar. He and a dwarven friend are trying to find the snow elves as well and I thought they could be useful on your journey. You can see the obvious value of having a fighter such as Lothar along but do not be fooled by his exterior, he is one of the only barbarians I have ever met who can read and write. The dwarf had some business to finish up but should be along any day. Even though they smell terribly and are so very serious having one along will be a great value for you since your next goal is to seek out a tribe of dwarves who live in a stronghold under the northern mountains. Although there is generally no love loss between elves and dwarfs the elders of this tribe supposedly know how to reach the City Under the Ice where the snow elves are reported to live. The portal you are currently trying to get reopened will take you to the city of Nothenvell. Which is on the other side of northern pole from Arre in the kingdom of Kaloria. The kingdom is mainly human but they trade occasionally with the dwarves but are unfamiliar with elves and the other non-human races, except orcs and ogres of which they have their very own northern variety. You will need to travel Mertylmane's Road, which runs east west from the city of Nothenvell to their costal city of Karlsfjord. You will be on the road for about 100 miles before turning north for another 75 miles to the dwarven stronghold. You have dealt with dwarves before so I trust you will be able to convince them to help you.

I thought you might be interested in some news from the home front. It seems only most of the populations of Mythil and Telaye died in the plague but those that did have been raised into a great undead army. If there was any doubt of Zoer's intent it appears to be dispelled. The One God still has many converts since he grants his worshippers instant gratification and dole out power and money like there is a never ending supply. Many people find that hard to resist. In Mythil and Telaye there are small pockets of people who were either immune to the disease or so remote as to not be exposed. The survivors have reported that the presence of the cult always preceded the onset of the illness and that their clerics were helpless to stop it. The baroness Cynlass, her husband and one of the daughters have been killed but the remaining daughter has taken refuge with Orin. Her barony, Telaye, has been given to one of the many courtiers from Aperia who descended on Arre like locusts when the Queen got married.

Tor-Lithen is still totally devoted to the cult and speaks of going into retreat and abdicating to his son, who the cult saved when he contracted the plague. Caroline has been imprisoned and the control of Arrlin has been moved to Stadoric and given to one of Zoer's captains, Xankar. The rebel forces have taken over Glimering, the previous Baron, Hil-Shalth, is under house arrest and Hil-Jastlin is currently governing the area. The barony is a major battle field being so close to the capital but the rebels have it firmly in hand with the help of a number of local and foreign mercenary groups, paid for by the generous donations of the Magic guild. Claell, the baroness of Onease, was able to seem neutral for a long time - funding the rebellion and pretending to negotiate with Zoer at the same time. When it became apparent that she would not bow to Zoer he marched his undead army on the barony and they have overrun Onease - the capital falling a few weeks ago. Claell and her three oldest daughters lead the resistance army and her youngest daughter has taken refuge with Orin. Orin has taken Baron Tinen into protective custody, and one of Orin's sons, Jaqlar is now providing leadership in Braler. The crown has issued an edict replacing all the rebel barons but the reality is that Orin and the others continue to hold power in their regions.

None of the crown's flying ships fly any longer - it is believed that a group of mages disabled them to prevent the bulk moving of the undead army. This has meant the difference between life and destruction for the north. There are a few useable ships left and the rebels control them all. One of the most recent horrors of the war has been the dragon attacks. It appears that Zoer commands a small number of evil dragons, mainly green and blue. How they got these creatures cooperation is unknown and luckily there are few of these beasts.

Arwin and Couren reached Kinsar's retreat safely and the clerics at there were able to restore his hands and tongue. Once he was healed and rested he joined the rebellion as one of Orin's commanders. He was key in relieving the siege of a band of dwarves and it turned out there were several of the Thane's commanders in the group. As a reward the dwarves gifted him with the magical war hammer and bastard sword made for Makarn, one of the heroes of the Great Orc War, who died during the final battle with Chalis. Kinsar and the clerics have left the retreat and work tirelessly supporting the armies of the north.

Even with the clerics from the retreat the undead army is proving difficult to stop. The morale of the fighters is tested daily as they watch their friends get eaten by the ghouls and worse yet fighting the next day against their dead friends that Zoer's priests have raised. With the start of the winter the war has ground to a slow crawl. The undead are not impacted by the cold but their commanders are, which has been good for us. There are several months of winter left which in the south is a good thing but in the north it is less fortuitous. The thrulls have been staging many attacks often joined by wild orc tribes. The northern forts have been able to hold the front with the help of several mages, Blaze the foremost of these.

In other news - many (not all) of the mages from the south escaped to the north and are now acting battle mages. The school founded by Saul is the heart of the network that produces scrolls and potions for the northern army. Min is managing the school and ensures they have food, clothing and supplies. There are several sages that have also found refuge at the school. They currently theorize that Zoer is somehow drawing energy from the crystals even though he only has two. The most ancient of the sages believes that all the crystals have been corrupted by his use. That is one of the reasons they asked me to contact you is to warn you not to try and harness their power. They believe it will allow him to find you and perhaps corrupt or kill the wielder. Since he is using the crystals it made us realize that just hiding the crystals is not enough so we want you to continue your quest to destroy the crystals you have. Your diversion through the other plane was quite successful. I understand that Zoer is furious at his commanders for losing track of you. Hopefully he will not be able to locate you as soon as you pass through the portal into the far north.

Your master is well and it appears Jasmine is with child. Valaxis is beside himself, with what we are not really sure but Jasmine is radiant. Vree continues to protect Itsu and his household with danger abounding she fits in very well. Itsu has sent many of his warriors to the mainland to help with defense. Since Shaskito is well protected by water and mountains their need for troops is less. The mainland has been very appreciative of their help and has found his army to be very effective and well disciplined. I have a few trinkets, etc from home for you." She pulls out a bag - reaching inside it she withdraws a small sack and places it gingerly on the table. "Cookies from Jasmine, I tried to toss them but she was standing there when I packed - perhaps you can throw them at your enemies!" She pulls out 2 scroll tubes and a small wooden case. "The school has prepared a few scrolls (Knock, Bless, Neutralize poison, 2 Cure critical wounds), and potions (Enlarge (at 5th level), Invisibility, 3 Cure light wounds). They wanted to send more but with the war on and all they did not have time." She reaches in the bag a last time and pulls out a large, plain, bastard sword. "This is Couren's old sword. I was acting oddly and I asked one of the sages what I should do with it and they rolled their eyes and thrashed about, perhaps having a vision, and they said to give it to the one who can use it. Oh, gee thanks. That is useful! God dam mystics." She grins. "I suggested bring it with me and giving it to you guys and they did not faint or curse me so here it is."