To: Aradar Crystalblade, High Quartermaster of the Shining Guard

Greetings old friend, I had a moment to include a letter with this week's caravan. I wanted you to know that I have been quite impressed with the recruits your commanders are sending from Ellyrion. I know you were concerned that they would be interacting more and more with our human and Dwarf allies while they battled our cursed brethren here in Saphery.

It is no easy thing for any Asur to see foreigners, particularly Dwarfs, wandering our fair lands, but Prince Tyrion has made it clear we are to welcome any who choose to aid us. The humans and Dwarfs have dire troubles in their own kingdoms and it is no small sacrifice for them to lend their assistance in our homeland. We need additional forces to counter the Orcs and Chaos Warriors who have come to fight alongside Malekith's twisted followers. As veterans of many battles, we can appreciate the practicality of the situation but not all recruits see the wisdom of our Prince.

There have only been a few difficulties. There was an Archmage by the name of Cioness who refused to use his healing magic upon any non-Asur. I sent him to the Temple of Issa which has been regularly beset by enemies. You will find his coffin in the caravan along with a letter of condolences to his family. Regretfully, the physicians do not have an enchanter skilled enough to extract his staff from his torso while leaving both somewhat intact. The family will have to see to that matter themselves.

There was also a Swordmaster named Bevelain who claimed it would sully his blade if he ever used it to defend a Dwarf. He was sent to battle at the Temple as well. You will not find any coffin for him since there was nothing left to send back to his family.

These have served as elucidating examples to the other recruits. If I hear any of them muttering insulting phrases about Dwarf beards under their breath, I only need mention a patrol to the Temple and their attitudes immediately improve.

We both know that Asur are loathe to change, but this is truly a new Age that has descended upon us. We must adapt like our human allies or we will surely never survive the onslaught we face. I remain confident that we will rise to the task, as the Asur have always done in the past.

The Temple is waiting for those who cannot.

Your stalwart companion,
Felevian Whisperlake, Lieutenant-Commander of the Shining Guard, Saphery

PS. If you can pack another cask of that excellent Ellyrion vintage on the returning caravan, I would be in your debt. Just because we are at war is no reason to ignore the important things in life.

**All names appearing in this story are fictional and do not represent any real person or character.

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