Notes of the Investigation
Ten days have passed since I broke into that barrier, getting myself in that nest of fiends. Once more, secrets and my treacherous curiosity guided my feet and my fate. I nearly lose my life in the flames set up by ignorance and idiocy; my own and others. However, after surviving to a terrible death I could not leave that matter alone. There was much more lying under the vail and it was my will to uncover it.
My steps took me to Candlekeep, a community of sages and scriveners. Nearly a week I spent there seeking information about Sapphire. First I talked to Isabella Villame, Gate Warden of that fortress of paper, ink and stone. She was a pleasant woman, tall and imposing; and yet, quite comprehensive and reasonable. Many hours we spent talking about this matter, and it was not easy to convince her to tell me all she knew about it. Even now, she still suspecting I am related to Scarlet which is ridiculous and reasonable in equal proportions. After a long talk I could gather a lot of information and convince her to talk to Alexandra Keenan, The Guide of Candlekeep. I was told she was a stubborn and inquisitive woman. If this reasonable Warden, that yet suspect of me, was telling me The Guide was difficult; the best thing to do would be to allow her to convince The Guide of giving me free access to the reports.
While I waited for bureaucracy to take place, I spent some time walking around and visiting this monstrous keep of wisdom. I also used the chance to introduce myself to the many scholars that frequently transit the place. Speaking to those I knew related to the topic. After a few days I gathered a lot of little details from them. I was at the local Inn trying to organize them all when Warden Villame sat next to me. “I have good news and bad news” she told me. Of course I preferred to hear the bad news first. Sapphire, the celestial being has left Candlekeep a little before I left. Those were, indeed, bad news for me. The good news was that Isabella succeeded convincing The Guide and I would have a copy of the reports related to that incident.
I was surprised and fascinated. They did have a lot of fragmented information on the topic. Some of the reports were cautiously detailed while others were carelessly ambiguous. I spent a lot of time organizing them and asking Miss Villame for the less precise information, clearing up that chaotic mess. I had pretty much all I needed after all. However, to make sure it was that way, I decided to speak with the newly related to the case. People I though may hold information about the topic without knowing. So I spoke to Adallan Ragnon, Reader of Candlekeep, and also to Watcher Diana Evon. Both of them had important information and did contribute generously to the investigation.
I found myself sitting at my room in Candlekeep Inn, looking at the whole load of information, feelings, thoughts, suspicions, and etcetera. Asking myself: “Why do you bother? Alright, you nearly got kill, so what? Since when have you been so proud? This is not your business.” And, probably, it was true. This was far from being my business. I only got involved accidentally due to my enquiring curiosity, but my role finished. And yet, why? Why was it so fascinating? I had a hunch about it; further secrets were hiding in the shade of this incident. A part of me knew it, and probably this was the part that my master spoke about. But I was not in touch with it. Perhaps the rejection I held against my past was tearing me apart. With this thought in mind, late at night, after many nights of light sleep, I fell asleep.
And… I had a dream…
I will not speak of it, it will be my little secret. However when I woke up everything was clear, all the pieces were fitting. Some of them were missing but yet I could see the whole picture, unfinished, but it was there. I was surprised the scriveners had all the information. All was there, unconnected, but there! How could they not see? Was it, perhaps, because I hold the key to fit it all together? Was it because I had a different perspective that helped me to see behind the scene? I do not know and it does not matter anymore.
The whole thing was about the confrontation between Sapphire, a celestial being; and her old friend Scarlet Riddle, now an “evil” mystery. And what I can see and the sages cannot, my secret, is: There is a third party involved. This is the story of all I have gathered:
“Who is the Scarlet Riddle?”
Scarlet Riddle was a mortal woman. I ignore her origin or race, but I’m sure she was quite normal, at least at the beginning. I suspect she was blessed. This is the reason she have met Sapphire a Celestial at Helm’s service. (This hasn’t been yet confirmed but this is the reason I’m now travelling to Baldurs Gate.) Sapphier might have been indeed her guardian. So Riddle was or became important and probably she held grate power. All was good, life was going well. Scarlet even made an unusual friend aside the celestial, Moreneth, the copper dragon.
Thus, Power always draws gazes of envy and greed. The third party, this obscure cult, craves for power. And so their interest lied in Scarlet. (Or perhaps their goal was to pervert the Celestial. Anyhow Scarlet was, to them, more accessible). Therefore, this cult chose the most effective and antique strategy to corrupt someone’s soul: attacking her weakness.
In the case of Scarlet, her family was her weakness. Close relatives between which those, two are known to me. A young boy, suspected to be her brother (or perhaps her son) and Lilly, a young girl who presumably is her little sister (or daughter). Scarlet, then, resort to the most powerful creature he knew, asking for help: Moreneth. And she trusted the protection of the kids to the dragon. (Whether he accepted or not is not yet known).
During the fight against the cult, Sapphire helped to protect Scarlet from her enemies, however the cult succeeded to curse or weaken the Celestial to a point where she was possessed or affected by one of the fiends the cult normally rely upon. However Scarlet managed to craft a protection for her guard. And so she made the necklace that protected Sapphire from the diabolic entity until it was weaken and removed. This is the point where Sapphire probably lose her memory and was left in charge of Helm’s church.
Unfortunately, the cult found the way to kill, or more likely sacrifice the young boy. And this is when the Riddle was born from hate and revenge. And, probably, the point where she came back from death as something else.
(There is a theory that suggests the girl was turn into a flying speaking diary, probably by the cult, in order to keep an insurance against Scarlet Riddle.)
Now Scarlet Riddle seeks for vengeance against this cult, trying to impede them to consecrate their new temple. I think she is seeking a powerful artifact that will provide her a great power or perhaps release her lost power. This artifact consists in a tome, a broken box and a diamond.
A diamond!? Damnation! How could I have lost this clue!
I believe I know who the head behind this cult is. However, for my own safety and in order to prevail I will keep this name to myself. I am really close to find the place where this new church is, Scarlet Riddle must be there and I must speak with her before taking any action. So I am in my way to meet her. Just in case I have set my own insurance to reveal all I know about this matter. If anything happen to me, this information will be revealed with the name of the cult’s head. I hope this will keep me safe in case they notice my doings and find me before I speak to Scarlet Riddle.
This is the end of my notes, if something happen to me, tell to my Mistress I love her,
Dae’drim.
Dae’drim.
