Resignation: Elsa Brown

[Paramour]

Following the Count's wishes and my own recommendation, Elsa Brown has resigned. She wishes her pension to be delivered to a local shrine of the Count's choice. She also wishes for me to continue my investigation into the Murder of Imyra, and I intend to forward my sentence and findings to her after I have done so.

In leaving she has dictated the following series of events to me, regarding Imyra's death:

12/16/1362
Testimony from Elsa Brown, summarized by Jasda al Tyr

Elsa aided Imyra in defeating Nela the Druidess, winning a duel so that Imyra could take the entirety of the weregild the druids demanded onto her own head. She lost her eye and her hand.

Shortly thereafter, the Were-rats managed to infiltrate the Illuminated Blade's compound and defeated both Imyra and Elsa. Elsa states that they recognized her and wanted her to make more food for them. They attempted to retrieve her key but were unsuccessful, as it was in a box. Daleroy arrived, and the rats left.

She confessed to Imyra at that point that she had been feeding the were-rats. Imyra asked her to stop so she promised to. Afterward, the rats approached her and demanded she continued to feed them. She told Fyevarra that this was happening, but apparently, the Illuminated Blade was not of any assistance.

When she sent the letters (refer to evidence), she claimed that she had assumed Malagent Esme de Verthan would protect Imyra, as the two seemed to be in love. Elsa alleges that the Temple and the Were-Rats were in alliance and that for about a tenday after the letter, Imyra spent most of her time in Tilverton. She also told Fyevarra about the letter and the response from the were-rats. Fyevarra she told, asking what she should do - the answer was to 'grow balls' - and the Malagent she was begging for Imyra's safety. She claims Imyra no longer wished to speak with her, which was why she did not contact Imyra directly.

At the end of the tenday she reports hearing the following sending, which she believes to have been made by Imyra:

'Help! The were-rats are in Tilverton! They're working with the church of Talona to spread disease!'

Imyra died the same day.

She has turned her cloak, uniform, and badge in to me, along with a Praevid Shroom she had been holding on to regarding the license earlier in the files.

//Jasda al Tyr//

[Paramour]

Another note added to the file, seemingly because it's related.

Interview with Esme.

Q: What is the stance of the Talonite faith on the Were-Rats?
A: 'We have not released an official stance. We view the rats as an internal problem [to Arabel].'

Q: What was your relationship with Imyra?
A: (Summarized) 'She was obsessed with me. I was trying to convert her to the Talonite faith.'

Q: Were the illuminated blades very supportive of their membership?
A: 'Imyra confided she considered turning in her cloak but would not elaborate on the reason why.'

Q: Was Imyra mostly with you, did she visit the shrine frequently on the Tenday prior to her death?
A: Yes. 'She became obsessed with [me].'

Q: Were you at the shrine the day of her death?
A: 'I was both in and out of the shrine, and Tilverton, on that day.'

Q: What did you speak of on the day of her death?
A: Imyra was taking a remedy "with very specific instructions for its use." The day she was slain, she came to the Malagent to ask for a vial, and was refused.

Q: (I provided the transcript Elsa recalls of the sending.) Could you tell me why she might accuse the church of talona of working with were-rats?

(Additional) Q: Was this the first time you had refused her medicine?

A: No. (Whether this was the first time.) But it was my harshest rebuke. "I could never return her affections." Malagent condemned her addiction to the oil. If the sending was done by her, it may have been 'retribution for the rejection.'

Q: Did you make or do you recall any other sendings made at the time?
A: Sir Thaddoth made a sending demanding the person responsible for the sending present themselves. Another made a sending offering a relic of the 'Ghosts' for whomever killed the rats. The Malagent made a sending assuring the populace the charges were false.

Q: [I showed her the Totem] Could you tell me anything about this?
A: The symbol is Talona's, the bone mud and fecal matter are purely rats.

Q: Would the purposes be calling down disease where they are found?
A: I think they are seeking her favor, yes.