Memo from the Subversive Magics Department

To: Mister Khas Smythe, Dame Kalvive Powers

CC: Chief Inspector Orazio Garibald, Highlord Theodore Varill, Archmage Suzanne Garibald

From: Baroness Tamsyn LaVette

Regarding: Lidirite

Lady Garibald has granted permission for you two to do some investigative work for my department. This matter should remain secret. Dame Kalvive, I realize you must report to Duke Romel and the Gilnean Legion, but please do not spread this beyond that.

Recently the Silver Hand, under Highlord Theodore Varill, rescued a human town in the Eastern Plaguelands, called Westhaven, that was under forsaken attack. After the Silver Hand eliminated the forsaken, they found barrels of blight that a forsaken alchemist was utilizing. The strain of blight, however, was more potent than any we’ve seen before: a devastating weapon that the forsaken must not be allowed to use.

The barrels were destroyed, except for one, which was sent to Ebonloch for analysis. Lady Garibald discovered that the reason this particular strain of blight was so powerful was due to the presence of a reagent called lidirite. Lidirite is both rare and powerful, and has few natural sources. The best known source of Lidirite is a mine in Highpass, under the control of a vassal of House Trueflame. I trust you both understand the sensitive politics of this matter.

We are very concerned how the forsaken got the lidirite, and we would also like to know more about it. Information is scarce, so we would like you two to travel to the mine and gather information.

Specifically:

What exactly does lidirite do?

How large is the mining operation?

Who are their customers?

Any other details you can gather.

Also, I will give you some gold; I would like you to purchase as much as you can for Ebonloch’s own research.

You must not claim to come from Lordaeron or be part of Her Majesty’s army. You must come up with a cover story about why you are there. Perhaps you represent a Dalaran mage who is interested in the substance, or a lord who wishes to make a purchase. I will let you two decide. If your identities are discovered, you will be disavowed; Ebonloch cannot be seen in Highpass.

When you return, please report your findings to me immediately. I will send a report to the Silver Hand, the Archmage, and Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. They may choose to debrief you as well, depending on what you discover.

Thank you for your service. Light Save the Queen.

T. LaV.

Baroness, Lianna

Council, Ebonloch

We talked about this casually before, but let this serve as an official request.

With your permission, I would like to utilize Dame Kalvive Powers and Mister Khas Smythe to investigate the source of lidirite.

They are both trustworthy, intelligent, and possessing of diplomatic dispositions. I believe they both have the necessary skills to conduct this inquiry. Specifically, they are both discreet and, I believe, will be able to gather information without revealing their identities.

If you agree, I’ll swear them both to secrecy and advise them that, if compromised, they will be disavowed.

My intention is to have them learn as much information as possible about the source of lidirite and what it does, but also to purchase some of the substance for further study at Ebonloch.

We’ll begin as soon as you grant permission. Or, if you’d disagree with my choices, please advise suitable candidates.

Regards,

T. LaVette