Chapter Text
The first notable alias listed on any file about Essek Thelyss is Dezran Thane.
Someone matching Dezran Thane’s description was noted for the first time on 830 PD entering and exiting the Candles in Rexxentrum, according to records shared by the Cobalt Soul. The Soul’s initial hypothesis was that Thane was some sort of dealer of Aeorian artifacts or of Residuum - they were clearly a high ranking magic user, and it was known that Ludinus and other members of the Council were interested in illicit magical goods. The connection between Thane and the beacons was not made until much later, and the Soul gave all of their records to the Dynasty in a show of goodwill.
The recorded meeting between Da’Leth and Thane, or rather Thelyss, could not have been the first time the two made contact. When the initial meeting between these two - and who would have introduced them - is still unknown. While members of the Assembly and their Annexes had made diplomatic excursions to Rosohna, their movements were closely monitored by both magical and physical means. It is possible that the the Shadowhand used his position of power to bribe a message into the hands of Archmage Uludan in the year 821 PD. However, this would have been at the very first year of Thelyss’s time in court, with few friends and much scrutiny, and the utility of Archmage Uludan has always been in question.
It was also possible, though unlikely, that the Umavi Thelyss(c)* acted as an intermediary on her son’s behalf with another member of the Assembly - perhaps the former Archmage Briarwood, who made repeated attempts to contact the ruling Den members in the early 800’s. However, Briarwood was expelled from the Cerberus Assembly soon afterwards, and the Umavi Thelyss did not seem outwardly appreciative of Briarwood’s attempts at the time.
The Lens’s investigation into this matter led them to the Marble Tomes, and Thelyss’s short lived academic career. Three of Thelyss’s former colleagues managed to disappear between the time of his ascension to the Kryn court and the beacon theft over a decade later. M. Tasithar (c) was a school associate of Thelyss who disappeared a year after Thelyss went to court. Tasithar reappeared five years later undergoing anamnesis*** with high priest BXXXXX, at which point he revealed that he had been captured by Dwendalians and tortured, though he had managed to die within range of a beacon. The second, AXXXXX, was a new soul who disappeared around Thane’s first appearance. The third, EXXXXXX (c), disappeared in 833 PD, shortly before the Beacon theft took place. Upon further investigation, this individual was revealed to likely be a fraud. Whether one or all three were Da’leth’s agents, it is impossible to say. However, this is the most likely explanation as to how Da’leth found a conspirator within Thelyss.
Thane was, by all accounts, a seemingly rich but awkward courtier with a strange accent; a number of Nicodranian locals had taken him as an inept Confidence Man and watched him mostly for the sport. He spent very little money and was not interested in making friends, but was seen trailing behind Da’Leth and Nuthaleus from time to time. He was last seen in 836 PD, at a dinner gathering in Nicodranas, shortly before the peace talks for the War of Ash and Light. He had left early in the night.
-Summary of known facts about Essek Thelyss, found in the Rexxentrum Cobalt Soul. Classified as a Least Restricted Document. 860 PD.
*It is Kryn custom to designate all consecuted individuals with a (c) after their name upon first mention. We have kept this custom here.**
** You will notice that we did not add the (c) to Thelyss’s name. There is still some question as to whether or not Essek Thelyss was consecuted -as the Umavi Thelyss has now claimed he was not. It is unknown whether or not this was an attempt to distance herself from her son or perhaps allow him to avoid the death penalty, but as he is officially no longer recognized as a consecuted individual, we will not denote him as such.
(scrawled in the margins: someone is fixated on the umavi lying, aren't they?)
*** A Kryn ritual where consecuted individuals will remember their lives with the aid of a priest.
Technically, the earliest recorded alias for Essek Thelyss was Fart Lizard.
This bon mot was supplied to the Lens by Verin Thelyss, under compulsion, with the following note, dated 838 PD (shared with the Rexxentrum Cobalt Soul, 924 PD)
As the former shadowhand is considered a class A security risk we are honor bound to investigate all possible avenues. However, the researchers in charge do not think it is likely that Thelyss will return to this moniker any time soon.
The Taskhand Thelyss has a reputation for being fairly amicable and lighthearted, but he is resistant to any discussions about his family. Future interrogators are advised to tread lightly. In addition to being instrumental to the effort to keep Bazzoxan contained, Taskhand Thelyss is a charismatic leader and well beloved by his troops. It would be unwise to further antagonize him with direct questioning.
He does not seem to be party to any plans made by any of his relatives. Considering the distance and the lack of innate magical communication, involving him would have likely been considered a risk.
We recommend that you keep under watch, and assign Agents XXXXX and XXXXX to act as communications staff for the next six months.
Our security network heard word of someone referred to as “Molly Fancypants” appearing on Darktow in the vicinity of the new Plank King who, after a rogue dispel magic, was shown to match the description of Essek Thelyss. The new Plank King was a known associate of the Nein, as well as a potential rogue member of the Claret Orders who had been a person of interest in terms of the Dwendalian plundering of Eiselcross - potentially having murdered an entire search party at an Aeorian search site during Thelyss’s short tenure at Vurmas.
The only known associate of Molly Fancypants was his supposed sister, Fiona Fancypants. Fiona Fancypants was a known alias for Jester Lavorre, confirmed with one Nicodranian real estate deed and multiple art deals. Rumors that they were romantically involved were almost certainly false given Essek’s previous known behaviors.
Recruitment onto the ship captained by Fjord Stone and home to Jester Lavorre was achieved, seemingly by simply asking for a job. While Jester did appear to be in contact with Essek through the means of Sending, she gave no indication of having any idea of his whereabouts, or even getting a response. Other individuals that Ms. Lavorre regularly contacted included The Bright Queen, Ludinus Da’leth, The Gentleman, The Plank King, and a Dragon Turtle. It was reasonable to assume that Ms. Lavorre may simply enjoy the ability to remind others of her presence.
The agent who spent time aboard the Balleater II: Dunamantic Boogaloo has requested a six month leave of absence to get over their hydrophobia and other emotional damages.
Frankly, the name and the behavior seemed so out of character for the former shadowhand. Between that and the lack of other leads, it does not seem wise to spend resources on this lead at this time.
Filed on 28 Misuthar and closed until new evidence is found.
-Lens Document, 841 PD, Shared with the Rexxentrum Cobalt Soul, 924 PD
The Augen Trust were kind enough to send word of a rogue scourger attack on a man that the scourgers claimed to be Essek Thelyss.
Before we get too excited at the inter-continental cooperation, it should be noted that they took three years to do so.
The man, having given the name of Aldric Ermendrud, had been staying at a local inn outside of Nogvurot under the guise of being an adventurer. According to the Augen Trust’s records, the Innkeeper reported that Ermendrud spoke with a strange accent and was ‘shifty-eyed’, but otherwise not noteworthy. Three of the other patrons - which the Trust noted the innkeeper did not remember, attacked Ermendrud, caused what was apparently ‘a truly massive amount of property damage’, and then the adventurer disappeared. A minute later, the Archmage Beck and a Mr. Grieve appeared to take the three patrons into custody.
According to interrogations that happened within the Augen Trust’s custody, the scourgers claimed to be hunting down the ‘Kryn Traitor’ for Da’leth. They went as far as to give a passphrase that would, in theory, buy their freedom. Da’leth, when questioned, disavowed all knowledge of the scourgers. All three scourgers later died within custody.
Searching through what census records we could find, we found two families in Druvenlode and one family in Blumenthal by that name. The Blumenthal family was the most promising, having record of a Bren Aldric Ermendrud at about the same age, approximately 40 years previous.
Agent XXXXXX was dispatched to Blumenthal for reconnaissance. The villagers were generally polite to strangers and inquisitive, but when the topic of the Ermendruds came up - claiming to be a distant relative - the villagers became closed off.
Eventually one older man admitted that Bren Ermendrud had left for Rexxentrum for schooling, then came back only to set his family’s homestead ablaze. Ermendrud was also suspected in the killing of two other families in the area, only to be stopped by two of his classmates.
Once one villager spoke about the Ermendruds, the rest appeared eager to either add to or correct his story.
What caused the madness was unknown. Prior to being incapacitated, Ermendrud seemed dazed, and was supposedly muttering something about traitors. This is based on recollections, twenty-five years after the incident.
Leofric Ermendrud did serve as infantry in multiple border campaigns from approximately 800-805 PD. It is unclear as to whether Una joined him during his time on the front. It is possible that this Bren was consecuted. If so, the Lens does not have any records showing an Ermendrud successfully making their way back to the Dynasty for anamnesis.
Few consecuted make their way back to the Light if they have the misfortune to be born in the Empire. Anamnesis is difficult, though not impossible, without guidance, and there have been records of consecuted Dwendalians being forcibly prevented from returning. Those that do escape the Empire do not always survive the trek through Western Xhorhas, an area not known for its hospitality. If Bren Ermendrud was a consecuted soul who lost his way, may the light show mercy on his soul, and may his memories serve as blessed instruction.
In any case, it is unlikely that this Ermendrud was Essek Thelyss. The people of Blumenthal were very willing to talk about another former citizen, the Archmage Beck, with some even reporting that Beck was present the day that Bren Ermendrud struck. It is more likely that the Ermendrud in the Thin Halfling Inn was a decoy meant to flush out the rogue scourgers, and Beck instructed this decoy to use the name of her unfortunate childhood friend.
It is this agent’s opinion that we should thank the Augen Trust for this information by sending them information on House Dwendalos. The information might be a few centuries old, but at least it will be accurate.
Lens Document, dated 848 PD, Shared with the Rexxentrum Cobalt Soul, 924 PD
The Glassblades, in accordance with Uthodurn’s treaties with the Kryn, sent us notice of a potential sighting of Essek Thelyss.
The man, giving the name Eldric Lavorre, was found severely injured on the edges of the Savalirwood with his companion, a local hero by the name Reanminere. He lost consciousness upon retrieval and an apparent glamour dropped, revealing that Mr. Lavorre was a drow. Reanminere and the unconscious drow quickly vacated the premises; Ms. Reanminere as a leopard carrying her compatriot. They did not receive the healing and it was noted by the healers on staff that, as a leopard, the patient’s method of transportation was not altogether medically sound.
Upon further investigation, variations of this name appear attached to adventurers in Uthodurn, as well as some purchases of high end alchemical and magical ingredients along the Menagerie Coast and even some sightings in Rexxentrum. The figure’s appearance and background has been variable, but is always a male magic user, thin, well dressed, elegant and speaks with a notable Rosohnan accent.
His visible behavior can be categorized as secretive but nonthreatening. Lavorre appears to vary his routine quite a bit, but does make frequent stops at certain shops, restaurants, tailors and residences - most notably, the home of Caleb Widogast in Rexxentrum. We have assembled a list of locations and will keep further watch.
7 Misuthar 875 PD - addendum: Due to new priorities, Thelyss is to be relegated to a class C threat. Continue check-ins but there is no need for a full team for research.
30 Sydenstar 875 PD - addendum: Monitoring on Thelyss is combined with new Class C unit until emergency measures end.
5 Horisal 876 PD - addendum: Class C unit agents reassigned until further notice.
–Lens Document, dated 853 PD, Shared with the Rexxentrum Cobalt Soul, 924 PD
The disarray caused by Leylas Kryn’s death under rumors of typhros* in 874 PD left little in the way of resources to follow any further leads on Thelyss. As the ensuing civil war deepened, the Lens fractured, and started to simultaneously hoard and destroy their own documents. What remains of the intelligence on Thelyss was recovered from a magically hidden archive located underneath a Luxon church in 882 PD. At that point, the military government had taken full control, and they showed little interest in Thelyss.
Twenty years after the fall of the Kryn Dynasty, a short period of usurpation by someone claiming to be a consecuted Leylas Kryn** created a renewed sense of purpose around the Kryn dynasty’s traitors, Essek Thelyss included. However, by that time Caleb Widogast had passed and all traces of Lavorre had disappeared.
Papers turned over to the Cobalt Soul for archiving, 924 PD.
–Excerpt from an Internal Cobalt Soul report.
*a type of madness caused by consecution. Its existence has not, at this time, been proven.
**Whether or not the Haimish fisherman’s daughter was in fact Leylas Kryn is still a subject of debate. The living members of her Court at that time were few and far between by the time of her ascension, and while those members that did vouch for her identity, it could have very well been because of her willingness to dispose of those who objected. She did grow up in Jigow, however, the Lens at the time were able to ascertain that she was born within Rosohna - to a former servant of Leylas Kryn. In the days before the Ulaban reforms, it was common for pregnant folk to seek employment within the Lucid Bastion, with the hopes that if someone did happen to die, they would pass their soul to the new child. It is also possible that the servants were in an excellent position to amass knowledge.
For more information, see Sunset on a Sunless Land, Volume 5, chapters 3 - 7.
(Scrawled in the corner - you could have said that in the first place, this footnote is too small to read)