At Providence Point, an adventurer came across a sealed ceramic bottle resting atop a high pile of snow. The adventurer pulled the bottle free and the snow, now loosened, crumbled just enough to reveal stone. Curious, they brushed more snow aside to reveal a gravestone, and in front of it, lilies. Once bright and full of life, they were now petrified and discolored by the cold. Time and the Highlands blizzards, with their horrible ice and bone-chilling winds, had eroded the stone's epitaph into illegibility. The adventurer inspected the bottle closely, searching for a clue as to who this grave belonged to. With uncharacteristic clumsiness, they dropped the bottle. The brittle ceramic shattered against the gravestone and revealed a note rolled up tight. Gingerly, the adventurer unrolled it and read a letter etched shakily in smudged ink.
"When the sands slept and the stones fell, when our comrades’ bravery became our enemies’ subterfuge and deception, you welcomed us to take refuge by your hearth. By your shield, by your knightly warmth, we staved off the chill of a bleak dusk, and the frostbite of a bleaker winter. You stuck your neck out for us time after time. You treated us like kin when our peoples estrangement seemed steadfast. Amid the falling snows, we couldn’t have felt more at home.

Broken blades mended, vigor renewed, we pressed onward. We knew not where we were headed, but with you at our side, with all your family’s aid, we could keep our heads high. Every step of the way toward vengeance, toward bringing back our scattered rays of the dawn, you were there. You were always a welcome hand, sword, shield, smile—especially when we didn’t expect you. You fulfilled every last duty of your knight’s calling. Your shield rests as proof. That I could bear witness to your deeds would make any bard envious.

You roused my spirit when I felt our work was hopeless. You held me together like armor forged by Byregot himself. You instilled Halone’s fury in me with every call to arms. You brimmed with joy in my presence, and my heart overflowed with light. Ever-present butterflies fluttered in my chest.

You said that a smile better suits a hero, so I smiled for you. One last smile to keep you warm as you wait for me at Halone’s side.

Every smile since has felt hollow. I should’ve died that day. Perhaps I did.

I’m sorry I cannot invite you home. I’m sorry you went cold right in my arms. I’m sorry that no matter how hard I try, I cannot let go of the past and bask in the light of a brighter future. I’m sorry that with every fight, every meager taste of revenge, I am left ravenous for more. I’m sorry that I throw myself into danger with reckless abandon. I just don’t know what else to do.

I know it must sadden you to see me in such a state. I’m so sorry, my darling.

-from your tired warrior, who fights every day in the hopes that her love will never become a forgotten knight"
(If chosen: Scarf of Wondrous Wit)