King Drum Thornfiddle of Brastlewark has as much need for knights as any sovereign. There are those that defend him in his throne room as well as those that carry his edicts to his subjects and enforce his will. But Cheliax is a dangerous place to be powerful, and a capable honor guard can truly only provide a degree of protection for their King. House Thrune rules (and is ruled) in Cheliax through contracts and a careful system of allegiances, and so King Thornfiddle has learned to subsist on such things.
But the King feels that vaults of his own palace are not the safest place to keep such important things. Knowing his holdings could be invaded at any time by friend and foe alike, he has instead entrusted copies of the documents to loyal riders in foreign lands. These instructions are sealed; not even the knights who bear them know what they contain. In the event of the seizure or death of the King, the riders are to return and present the documents to Queen Abrogail II, or whoever governs Cheliax when the time comes.
Ser Gremmedler Dorn Thranwhyppe is one such rider. He has come to know the press of the sealed envelope better even than the embrace of his mother. Such is his task. His father was sworn to the service of King Thornfiddle, and so too is he.
When he was younger, Gremmedler had little interest in bow or blade, and cared only to have his nose buried in books. Oh, how he wished to learn and command great magics. Yet, he was obligated since birth to strive for knighthood, and when he proved resistant, his father dutifully burned every tome the family owned. In a fit of screaming rage, Gremmedler vowed he would never be "the monster" his father was.
Strange then it was that in a month's time, he was instead taking a vow before his King. It seemed that he had yielded to his heritage. But Gremmedler would not be the kind of knight his father was. He certainly promised himself that before his oath, but the King assured it as well, recognizing the boy's interest in arcane matters.
"You are one who wishes to learn secrets, and so you know the value of them." The King spoke with him in his library after the ceremony. "Because of this, you will be one to keep a great secret. You will bear this with you, never letting it from your grasp." The envelope the King handed him felt ordinary enough, if a little heavier than expected. He did not at first guess the true weight of it.
It would be against the common sense of a practical gnome to have agents in faraway places with nothing to do, so King Thornfiddle chose to send Gremmedler to Varisia. "You have read of the ruins of ancient Thassilon. Well, perhaps it will please you to learn that you will study them. They harbor great secrets. Secrets which must be protected. Take care, while you are there, to see that they are given proper attention."
Gremmedler's father died mysteriously the very day his son sailed to Korvosa to begin his life in the Order of the Seal. Gremmedler has never spoken of this. It is not even apparent whether or not he knows of the happening.
What is ever apparent is the envelope. Though it is not for his eyes, Gremmedler has grown to cherish its touch. It is always strapped closely to his body, even as he sleeps. Aside from his wolf, Poshnosh, it is the only friend he has.
Gremmedler is in Sandpoint studying the Old Light, the Thassilonian tower that stands on the outskirts of the town. He makes frequent observations about the strange obelisk in his journal, and is ever eager to learn more about it. He has recently become frustrated by the influx of travelers that have come to celebrate the Swallowtail Festival.
