We fear the Cells (Saturday July 18th 8pm Server Time)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 7:47 am
Mitsuo Fyodorovni sat behind his desk, head in his hands, staring at the letter before him. His brow furrowed as he tried, unsuccessfully, to push aside the knot of worry tightening in his stomach. Perhaps, he thought, if he simply tried again, it would work.
Darkfriends.
If the northern lord, Weir, was to be believed, Darkfriend cells had established themselves within the Great Forest.
But why?
He had heard the stories. Caravan drivers returning from the south spoke of strange happenings beneath the ancient canopy. Unexplained disappearances. Odd travelers. Whispers that never seemed to amount to anything concrete.
Then again, it was the Great Forest. Strange folk had always lived beneath its branches.
He shook the thought from his mind and leaned back in his chair.
Drawing his pipe from his waistcoat, he lit it from the candle beside him, the same candle he used to melt wax for sealing correspondence. Within moments, fragrant smoke drifted lazily toward the ceiling.
Lord Doc and he had exchanged letters. Whatever disagreements had existed between them had been set aside, at least for now. They had both agreed that trade would continue across the recently disputed lands until this matter was resolved.
Business could wait.
Darkfriends could not.
His eyes drifted to another letter, this one from Aayan, detailing the meeting with Lord Doc. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he read about the outrage shown by some within the Guild.
As though merchants had never paid for passage through another man's lands.
Roads were expensive things. They had to be built, maintained, patrolled, and, above all else, defended. Every successful merchant understood that.
He exhaled a long stream of smoke, somewhere between a sigh and a laugh.
Experience, it seemed, was always the most expensive teacher.
Setting the letters aside, Mitsuo reached for a fresh sheet of parchment. He dipped his quill into ink, paused for only a moment, and began to write.
==============================================================================================================================
To those possessed of sound judgment,
Recent reports from trusted sources suggest that Darkfriend activity has taken root within the Great Forest. Whether these reports prove entirely accurate remains to be seen, but they are too consistent to dismiss and too concerning to ignore.
I am not seeking soldiers eager for glory, nor those who believe every problem is solved with the edge of a blade.
If the reports are true, killing a handful of Darkfriends accomplishes very little. Cells exist because they serve a purpose, and until that purpose is understood, another will simply take its place.
Instead, I ask for those with steady hands, level heads, and sharper minds.
Observe before acting. Ask questions before drawing conclusions. Learn who these people are, how they communicate, what they seek, and, most importantly, why they have chosen the Great Forest as the foundation for their work.
If action becomes necessary, so be it. But information has always been the most valuable commodity in this world. Gold follows knowledge. Safety follows understanding.
Bring me facts, not rumors.
Should these cells prove to be real, we will decide together what must be done.
Until then, keep your eyes open, your tongues guarded, and your wits about you.
Mitsuo Fyodorovni
Master of the House of Merchants
The Illustrious Kandori Merchant Guild
(Gather in Chachin on Saturday July 18th at 8pm server time for the continuation of our event. This event now opens to all players who wish to attend. Although KMG will be taking the lead. Have fun)
Darkfriends.
If the northern lord, Weir, was to be believed, Darkfriend cells had established themselves within the Great Forest.
But why?
He had heard the stories. Caravan drivers returning from the south spoke of strange happenings beneath the ancient canopy. Unexplained disappearances. Odd travelers. Whispers that never seemed to amount to anything concrete.
Then again, it was the Great Forest. Strange folk had always lived beneath its branches.
He shook the thought from his mind and leaned back in his chair.
Drawing his pipe from his waistcoat, he lit it from the candle beside him, the same candle he used to melt wax for sealing correspondence. Within moments, fragrant smoke drifted lazily toward the ceiling.
Lord Doc and he had exchanged letters. Whatever disagreements had existed between them had been set aside, at least for now. They had both agreed that trade would continue across the recently disputed lands until this matter was resolved.
Business could wait.
Darkfriends could not.
His eyes drifted to another letter, this one from Aayan, detailing the meeting with Lord Doc. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he read about the outrage shown by some within the Guild.
As though merchants had never paid for passage through another man's lands.
Roads were expensive things. They had to be built, maintained, patrolled, and, above all else, defended. Every successful merchant understood that.
He exhaled a long stream of smoke, somewhere between a sigh and a laugh.
Experience, it seemed, was always the most expensive teacher.
Setting the letters aside, Mitsuo reached for a fresh sheet of parchment. He dipped his quill into ink, paused for only a moment, and began to write.
==============================================================================================================================
To those possessed of sound judgment,
Recent reports from trusted sources suggest that Darkfriend activity has taken root within the Great Forest. Whether these reports prove entirely accurate remains to be seen, but they are too consistent to dismiss and too concerning to ignore.
I am not seeking soldiers eager for glory, nor those who believe every problem is solved with the edge of a blade.
If the reports are true, killing a handful of Darkfriends accomplishes very little. Cells exist because they serve a purpose, and until that purpose is understood, another will simply take its place.
Instead, I ask for those with steady hands, level heads, and sharper minds.
Observe before acting. Ask questions before drawing conclusions. Learn who these people are, how they communicate, what they seek, and, most importantly, why they have chosen the Great Forest as the foundation for their work.
If action becomes necessary, so be it. But information has always been the most valuable commodity in this world. Gold follows knowledge. Safety follows understanding.
Bring me facts, not rumors.
Should these cells prove to be real, we will decide together what must be done.
Until then, keep your eyes open, your tongues guarded, and your wits about you.
Mitsuo Fyodorovni
Master of the House of Merchants
The Illustrious Kandori Merchant Guild
(Gather in Chachin on Saturday July 18th at 8pm server time for the continuation of our event. This event now opens to all players who wish to attend. Although KMG will be taking the lead. Have fun)