To Her Majesty Aspexia III, Queen of Cheliax, Protector of Isger, Duchess of Crownbay, Defender of Civilization, etc.

It has come to my attention that in your secure cells there is presently the lich 'Lady Eriape', known principally for her authorship of the 'Badger' pamphlets. It is not, to my knowledge, the case that she has committed any crimes since the declaration of amnesty you issued; if this is incorrect and she has been caught committing new murder, incitement to violence, etc, then by all means disregard the request in the remainder of this letter with my apologies for having wasted your time. However, if my information is correct, I would like to plea for clemency and offering Eriape a sentence of exile.

As you likely know, I was born here in Westcrown but departed for Rahadoum as a young man, where I studied and then taught at the Occularium in Azir. My research was into better methods of immortality, and after a significant survey of the available landscape, my principal research was into methods of reducing the murder and torment required in lichdom rituals, with the hopes that I might lay a foundation on which future generations of sixth-circle wizards who chose undeath over Pharasma's judgment might do so with a single willing sacrifice rather than the large numbers of painful deaths currently typical.

In the course of investigating this, I have peacefully spoken with a highly unusual number of liches, in that if I wish to count them on my fingers I require both hands. While I have not spoken with Eriape in person, it is my belief from observing her activities (and lack of vengefulness for being challenged, e.g. my counter-pamphlet as 'the Wandering Wolf') and comparing them that she is one of the most reasonable and cooperative of all liches. She is, of course, clearly mad; I have met no lich who was not. But a lich whose madness is merely a preoccupation with badgers, advocacy of undeath, and quest for fame, is one civilization can work with. This is a rare opportunity, especially given her demonstrated interest in publishing novel spell research. At least, it is if she is properly incentivized, and I have a proposal which I believe would do so.

Specifically, I would request you offer her exile to Rahadoum, with which I understand you have some degree of personal alliance in addition to your royal treaties. The research program I had favored was valued by the Occularium, and with my letter of recommendation to the department, anything you would be willing to write, and a promise of cooperation from Eriape herself, I think a position in the Necromancy department would be available to her quickly, and a license to unlive (in perpetuity with good behavior etc.) granted. It is not certain that such a promise of cooperation could be extracted, but I would give myself good odds if allowed to speak with her in prison.

I believe this would be better for Cheliax and civilization than execution, though it is of course ultimately your decision entirely. If you decide against, or if she declines the offer, I humbly beg that you allow me some time studying her phylactery under arcane sight, so that I may extend my notes on existing phylacteries and increase my sample from two phylacteries to three, and without accepting a third geas limiting the extent to which I can speak about the results, which would advance the same interests.

Your obedient servant and loyal citizen-subject,

Delegate Theopho Lebanel

Known as Theopho of the Runes and formerly Theopho Rahadi